Simon Cowell left alone at 'X Factor' auditions

Credit: FOX

Despite Simon Cowell's high-profile judge search for season three of The X Factor USA, it's hard to imagine that he didn't get the show he always dreamed of over the weekend during the Los Angeles auditions.

Cowell, known for his exuberant brand of conceitedness, got to judge the LA auditions completely alone after being left at the judges' table on day three when Demi Lovato fell ill, Kelly Rowland had to leave unexpectedly, and Paulina Rubio had to attend a prior commitment. E! Online reports that while producers set up a chair for Demi, they soon learned she would not be attending. Once the announcement was made, the audience erupted in a chorus of boos.

"Demi is sick but as they say in show business, the show must go on," Cowell told the crowd.

However, the mishaps didn't end there, as Kelly Rowland later had to excuse herself due to some sort of emergency, announcing "something important came up".

"This is the show I've always wanted to have," Cowell told the crowd. "Now I will be the only person making decisions. God is good!"

As the auditions proceeded, Cowell continued to bask in the glow of having an entire judges' panel to himself.

"Welcome to my show, The X-Factor," he told a 50-year-old contestant named John, adding that this was his "dream show."

Unfortunately, John's performance was a nightmare. "Thanks John for ruining my dream," quipped Cowell.

Despite her absence at the auditions, Rowland is said to be a welcome presence on the panel. She's reportedly much more outspoken and opinionated than past judge Britney Spears. Throughout the auditions, she refused to be steamrolled by Cowell, such as when she shot back against the British judge's assertion that a 15-year-old singer was "a little cocky" by loudly declaring, "You're cocky too!"

Later, when a boy band called Legaci (made up of past Justin Bieber backup singers) wowed the crowd, Simon teased Kelly about going on a date with one of the guys. "Keep it professional," she sharply shot back.

But it's not all snappy back-and-forths with Cowell, as Kelly was very open in her approval of certain contestants. Rowland apparently has a habit of "dancing in her chair and then throwing her pen onstage" when she likes a contestant. Ummm...interesting.

The new season of The X Factor USA premieres September 11.