SS: It was impressive that hip-hoppers Joshua and Twitch made it to the end last season.

NL: It was, and I think that is the whole basis of the show. It is far more the kids. For some reason, Simon Cowell always denies this is a journey. It is so much of a journey from when they first walk in the audition room to where they finish up. And, if it wasn’t a journey, you would have 19 losers—because there is only ever one winner—and I do not believe that. I think every day they are in the competition they’re a winner because they are getting to work with such incredible people. This whole process of winning and losing needs to be gauged on much they leave with.