Petaluma Mums For Softer Side of Simon

Who says Simon Cowell is a grouchy old Brit? American Idol fans across the nation have a longstanding love/hate relationship with the English king of plain speak when it comes to Simon's frequently brutal, no-holds-barred critiques of would-be superstar singers.

But the enduringly caustsic Mr.Cowell is welcome anytime for tea and biscuits here in Petaluma, with our extensive British/American community clearly in touch with his rarely seen softer side!

For ex-pat Petaluma mum of three boys (sounds familiar?) Tara McDonald Smith took Simon and his Sonoma County audience completely by surprise last night by calling in on American Idol with an adorable on-air recap of a childhood kiss and tell.

Turns out Tara (then Miller) lived next door to Simon in Radlett, Hertforshire, way back in the sweet, simplistic 60s.  All there was to do in those days was to hang out with the neighborhood kids, alternating whose back yard the apple scrumping/Cops and Robbers/Cowboy and Indian action would take place. Except for young Simon and Tara, apparently, whose gaggle of nine-year-old neighborhood kids clearly took the garden path one or two stepping stones further to share a stolen first kiss.

Simon was clearly taken aback. It was a big, blush-worthy moment amidst an otherwise fairly standard audience phone-in. And the folks back in P'Town were fairly mad to figure out Tara's whereabouts before the tabloids got her first. We do tend to look after our own around here!

Despite a rapid round of "Who is Tara" phone calls and emails amongst the British/American community, no one had a clue as to the post-Miller maiden name identity of the suddenly famous SoCo single Mum. Now that the media have tracked Tara down, I'm fully expecting to see her in the audience on the next American Idol! Great for boosting viewers. Are we sure that this wasn't a strategic plan on the producer's part? Only Tara can tell.

And I have a sneaking suspicion that Tara and I may share the same hairstylist (Lani - currently out of the country or I could have had the scoop for sure) as well as home town, birth place and number of sons. Hey, I really do quite like Simon Cowell. It's true. The only thing we don't have in common, is that I definitely didn't kiss him. I'm way too young (well, OK, about four years!).

Comments

[Lesley]

Maybe you didn't catch a smooch with Mr Cowell but I seem to remember a kiss with a certain Richard Branson. Now if we could just get him on a reality show and get you on the line...

[Frances]

touche!