'Idol' alum has no kind words for Cowell

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HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- "American Idol" alum Kristy Lee Cook said former judge Simon Cowell "doesn't know anything about being on stage."

The singer, in an interview about her upcoming untitled country album, told The Hollywood Reporter she is happy country musician Keith Urban has joined the judging panel on the reality television show.

"He is a very good singer and knows what he's talking about. He writes music, he plays music, he sings music and is an artist," Cook said. "That was not the same for Simon Cowell. He is not an artist. He doesn't know anything about being on stage singing in front of thousands of people. It's a lot different looking at it from a singer's standpoint."

Cook said she has not watched "X Factor" because of Cowell's presence on the show.

"He wasn't very fair to me [on 'American Idol'] because he doesn't like country artists," she said.