Current NBC coverage continues to document the 2026 season of the show.
What Fans Should Do Instead of Sharing the Rumor
If you see the Simon Cowell death headline online, the best response is not to immediately share it with the words:
“Is this true?”
Even that type of post can help the rumor spread.
Instead, investigate first.
If the claim is false, avoid amplifying it.
You can also report misleading content when the platform provides an appropriate reporting mechanism.
Most importantly, don’t attack people who believed the rumor.
Misinformation spreads quickly because it is designed to exploit normal human emotions.
Someone who shares a false story may not be trying to deceive anyone. They may simply have been shocked and wanted to warn their friends.
The better response is education:
“Let’s check whether this has actually been confirmed.”
The Difference Between Sad News and a Sad-Looking Headline
There is a major difference between genuine sad news and a headline designed to look sad.
