Will.i.am On Confronting Simon Cowell Over Cheryl Cole: "I Could Have Burned Myself"

21 April 2013, 09:11 | Updated: 21 April 2013, 09:16

The '#ThatPower' rapper says he stood up for the star against Simon back in 2011.

Will.i.am says he stuck his neck out "to fight" for Cheryl Cole on The X Factor US back in 2011 and admits it almost ruined his relationship with Syco boss Simon Cowell.

The 'Scream & Shout' rapper, who manages the Geordie singer's career, says things are "all fresh" between him and Simon now but described the way 'Call My Name' star Cheryl was axed from the show as "just wrong".

"It was just wrong what happened to her and I stuck my neck out to fight for her," will.i.am revealed to The Sun this week. "When I see Simon now it is all fresh.

"But with the incident that happened with Cheryl I was like, 'Hey Simon, Cheryl asked me to manager her, I have to fight for her but I hope it doesn't change how you view me as an artist'.

"But since then the relationships have been mended," he explained. "I could have burned myself, but that didn't happen and hats off to Simon for that."

The 'This Is Love' rapper went on to say that he thinks the X Factor mogul is "alright" and not as bad as people often make out.

"People can paint him to look bad, they can do whatever they want, but he's alright in my book," will.i.am added. "I have no qualms with Simon as a person."

Check out a picture of will.i.am in London this week below (Credit: Splash):

Earlier this week the US star unveiled the music video for his latest song '#ThatPower', a team-up with Canadian pop star Justin Bieger.

Will.i.am will officially release his new album '#willpower' on Monday (22nd April)