Simon Fuller's Plan to Transform Hong Kong into a Global Entertainment Hub

For Hong Kong's ambitious young talent, eager to turn dreams into reality, Simon Fuller's partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) opens a transformative door. As the founder of XIX Entertainment and the visionary behind the Spice Girls and American Idol, Simon Fuller has launched a landmark collaboration to elevate Hong Kong's entertainment scene.

Announced on May 12, 2025 as part of HKJC's plan to become a global sports entertainment brand and showcase Hong Kong as a center for global exchange, connectivity, and tourism, the HKJC partnership focuses on Fuller's global pop group Now United—the world's first international pop group formed in 2017 with members representing diverse countries. This initiative aims to discover and develop young artists to join Now United as its first Hong Kong member, offering world-class training and a global stage while positioning Hong Kong as a vibrant hub for the next generation of international stars in 2025 and beyond.

A Partnership Takes Shape

The HKJC partnership was sparked by a shared goal to fuse sports and entertainment. "It was a very timely coincidence when I met Winfried, the CEO, and he shared his ambition to build the connectivity between sport and entertainment at the HKJC," Simon recalls. "Not only is this one of my specialities, it also coincides with my current focus on expanding my business in China and South East Asia." This alignment made Hong Kong the perfect stage for Simon Fuller's expertise.

Recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people, Simon brings decades of experience shaping global superstars to elevate Hong Kong's cultural landscape. The collaboration brings Now United to Hong Kong, hosting a talent search to find the group's next member, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for local talent to shine worldwide through musical performances, social media, and racecourse entertainment.

Nurturing Hong Kong's Next Stars

At its core, the initiative is dedicated to empowering young artists. Through Simon Fuller's Academy of Pop, participants gain access to Hollywood-caliber coaching, including masterclasses with leading producers, songwriters, and mentors. "With the power resource and focus of the HKJC and my expertise and passion for discovering exciting new talent, I believe young artists in Hong Kong will have some exciting opportunities coming up," Simon says.

The program, a cornerstone of Simon Fuller's talent development in Hong Kong, is crafted to build performance confidence and prepare candidates for XIX's global talent showcase. Shortlisted candidates were recently invited to auditions led by Fuller, where they were evaluated on singing, dancing, stage presence, and star potential. A two-day workshop provided professional training, with popular YouTubers Christy Choi and Jeffery Kwan from the Pomato channel joining to document the journey and engage with participants.

Redefining Hong Kong's Creative Identity

Simon Fuller envisions Hong Kong as a leader in the global entertainment industry. "Because this partnership is quite unprecedented with the resource and influence that we control, we can approach things in a more scalable and ambitious way than usual," he explains. His goal is to elevate Hong Kong's reputation as a leader in the global creative economy. "We are also focused on elevating the global standing of Hong Kong as a creative city, as well as the home of some of the most exciting new talent," he adds.

By fostering a "positive atmosphere" to encourage performers to elevate their skills, Simon aims to position Hong Kong at the forefront of the global creative economy. "A world-class city needs a creative heart and elite ambition to define pop culture for the next generation," he asserts. As the first initiative under the partnership, the Now United Hong Kong talent search embodies HKJC's vision to promote Hong Kong as Asia's most vibrant city.

Blending Sports and Entertainment

The HKJC partnership aligns with the organization's ambition to become a global sports entertainment brand, creating innovative opportunities to merge the two worlds. Fuller sees artists from the Academy of Pop performing at HKJC's sporting events, creating unique experiences that will captivate audiences. "Sport and entertainment both promote joy, a very powerful motion that is very much needed in the world today," he notes. Supported by collaborations with sponsors and shared audiences, this integration will amplify reach and engagement, offering new platforms for Hong Kong's talent to shine and redefine how the city experiences entertainment. Fuller aims to uncover a next group member who embodies Hong Kong's spirit, diversity, and creativity, blending pop-star power with local vibrancy.

Lessons from a Global Icon

Simon Fuller's decades of shaping superstars inform his approach to developing talent in Hong Kong. "Full commitment, pursuit of excellence, and all necessary resources needed to create genuine, global superstars," he says, outlining his strategy for success. For Hong Kong's aspiring performers, Fuller's advice is practical: "It is important that all performers are fully committed, dream big, work hard and take advice with an open heart." While not every participant will become a global superstar, Simon aims for a broader impact: "I want everyone involved to feel validated and empowered to become the best they can be and be emotionally enriched from their journey."

Shaping the Future of Talent Development

The collaboration's impact extends beyond Hong Kong, with the potential to reshape global talent development. "The partnership between us is a powerful combination of sporting power and excellence and elite entertainment expertise, bringing opportunity and recognition to Hong Kong on a global stage," Simon states. By offering world-class training and exposure, the initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of talent that will carry Hong Kong's name worldwide. Beyond individual success, it fosters a sense of pride and joy in the city's community, positioning Hong Kong not just as a financial hub but as a creative epicenter where dreams are realized. The Academy of Pop, home to the world's most exciting new talent, celebrates the passion and joy performers bring, validating the art of performance and delivering real outcomes worthy of dreaming.

Hong Kong's Untapped Potential

Simon's passion for Hong Kong fuels his vision. "Personally, I am most excited by the opportunity to spend time in Hong Kong, China," he says. "This partnership with HKJC allows me the opportunity to be at the forefront of developing the performing arts and the next generation of stars in this part of the world." His enthusiasm is rooted in a belief that Hong Kong is poised for a creative awakening. "I know with certainty there is a whole new generation of extraordinary new entertainers waiting to be discovered," he adds.

An Invitation to Shape the Future

For Hong Kong's burgeoning talent, whether aspiring artists and arts enthusiasts, the Simon Fuller-HKJC partnership offers the chance to engage with a transformative movement that celebrates creativity. Backed by the HKJC's resources and Simon's expertise, it unlocks opportunities for young talent to shine and establishes Hong Kong as a global leader in entertainment.

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