Simon Cowell Denies Disrespecting Virginia Tech Victims

Simon Cowell has denied he rolled his eyes when an 'American Idol' contestant paid tribute to the Virginia Tech massacre victims. The judge was caught on camera making a face at fellow judge Paula Abdul when contestant Chris Richardson interrupted Simon's critique of his "nasal-y" singing to pay tribute to those killed in the horrific campus shooting, in which 33 people died.

Simon told 'American Idol' host Ryan Seacrest on his radio show: "We must address this crazy story that appeared that I rolled my eyes disrespectfully at Chris because he made the comment.

"The truth is that I had switched off at that point. I was saying to Paula, 'What does he mean he was singing nasal-y on purpose?' I didn't understand what he was saying.

"So I hadn't even heard what he'd said afterwards. And my eye rolling is what I was saying to Paula. I have never heard so much rubbish.

"You know what, half of the time I can't hear what they are saying, and I don't think they can hear what I am saying."

Richardson had defended his performance, before he said: "My heart and prayers go out to Virginia Tech. I have a lot of friends over there. Be strong."

The camera then cut to Simon's seemingly insensitive look. The British music mogul has now commended Richardson for his comments.

He said: "Chris was right to have said what he said because he is from that neck of the woods and if I would have heard what he said I would have responded properly to that.

"The irony was that we discussed this before the show and wondered, 'What do you do in a situation like this when something terrible happens? Do you ignore it?'

"Ryan Seacrest wanted to say something in the beginning, which I think was right. And I thought we should do something at the end to sort of close it. I wanted to say to the kids it was a difficult week for everybody."

Ryan added: "Let's just be honest, no human being would be that disrespectful to anybody involved in that awful tragedy."