Simon Cowell’s New Boyband Caught in a Naming Controversy
Simon Cowell’s latest music project has barely had time to launch before running into serious trouble. The boyband December 10, created as part of the Netflix documentary series Simon Cowell: The Next Act, is now facing potential legal issues due to its name, which closely resembles that of an already existing band.
December 10 was formed using Cowell’s signature formula: open auditions, a rigorous selection process and the gradual shaping of contestants into a fully fledged pop act. The group consists of seven members — Hendrik Christoffersen, Cruz Lee-Ojo, John Fadare, Nicolas Alves, Josh Olliver, Danny Bretherton and Sean Hayden. Their journey is documented in the Netflix series, which aims to give viewers an inside look at the music industry and the creation of a new pop group.
Shortly after the project was officially announced, attention shifted away from the music itself and toward an unexpected reaction from the Scottish metal band December Tenth, which has been active since 2020. Musicians from Glasgow stated that the similarity between the two names has already caused confusion, with fans mistakenly contacting them believing they were connected to Cowell’s new boyband.
Members of December Tenth publicly addressed Cowell’s team, as well as Netflix and Universal Music, suggesting that the matter be discussed either directly or through legal representatives. In their statement, the band made it clear they were not seeking conflict but believed the naming issue to be significant, particularly in the digital age, where search engines and streaming platforms make little distinction between December 10 and December Tenth.
At the time of writing, no official legal action has been taken, and representatives for Simon Cowell, Netflix and Universal Music have declined to comment. However, music journalists note that the dispute could escalate into a legal matter if no agreement is reached, especially if it is determined that the name causes public confusion.
This is not the first time a Cowell-backed act has encountered such an issue. In 2011, Little Mix, also formed under his guidance, were forced to abandon their original name Rhythmix following objections from a charity with the same name. That situation was resolved without court proceedings, but only after a rebrand.
December 10 have already made their musical debut, releasing a cover version of NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye”, which quickly gained traction on social media. Critics, however, have suggested that the project relies heavily on an outdated boyband formula, prompting mixed reactions from audiences.
The naming controversy highlights a broader issue within the music industry: even large-scale projects involving major producers and global platforms can overlook key aspects of branding and intellectual property. How the situation surrounding December 10 will ultimately be resolved remains unclear, but it has already become one of the most talked-about music stories of the year.
