Simon Cowell Once Thought About Suicide

Simon Cowell contemplated suicide in his teens. The 'American Idol' judge hated the strict rules in school and couldn't find anything to spark his interest or inspire him.

He confessed: "I was always bored. I didn't like the rules and I didn't like discipline. So when someone said to me, 'These are the best days of your life,' I actually thought about jumping off a bridge. I was like, 'If it gets any worse than this I'm done,' because I hated school and I hated my life."

Simon has also revealed the criticism he received when he was growing up and starting his career in the music business made him the success he is today.

He added to Parade.com: "No one gave me any handouts when I started. I had to work my way up. I certainly learned more when people criticized me than when they lied to me and said what I was doing was right."

"You cannot survive in this business unless you know when you've made a mistake. So I would feel guilty about giving people fake hope when I genuinely believe they have no chance."