Cowell: Gesture for acoustics, not tragedy

LOS ANGELES, April 18 (UPI) -- "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell says a gesture made while a contestant spoke of the Virginia Tech massacre was because of acoustics, not a cold heart.

Cowell was caught on tape rolling his eyes during Tuesday's competition as Chris Richardson offered well wishes for the families and victims of the Virginia Tech massacre after his performance. The judge known for his caustic remarks told Idol host and E! News anchor Ryan Seacrest that the perceived gesture was in reference to bad acoustics during Richardson's performance, E! News said Wednesday.

"The truth was I switched off at that point," Cowell said on Seacrest's Los Angeles radio show Wednesday. "Half the time I can't hear what they're saying. My reaction was to what he had said previously, that singing nasally is a form of singing. ... My eye-rolling was what I was saying to Paula."

As for Richardson's comments about the Virginia Tech tragedy, in which 33 people, including the gunman died, Cowell said it was appropriate.

"I think Chris was right to have said what he said because he's from that neck of the woods," Cowell said.