For many of these people, brutal honesty is needed. I don't doubt that many of these people truly believe that they are great singers and could make it in show biz. Unfortunately, most friends and family are unable or unwilling to tell someone to give up so their delusion continues, no matter how harmless. Now, for whatever reason, the person auditioning might not sound good in that performance, as you state. The judges have to assume that what they are seeing is the real deal and I believe they can recognize talent through the nervousness. Simon is not the only one who is brutally honest of the three but I feel like he continues to kick some of the contestants in the head after the first jarring statement or two. Usually this is not needed, as you say, and I believe counter-productive to his cause for some people. I'm betting that some contestants, for better or worse, will continue to pursue a music career so that they can prove Simon wrong. And some of these people will never truly see, no matter how many people tell them "No," that their singing should stay in the shower.

Brutal honesty, go for it. Some people will take it hard. But tell them it isn't going to happen and briefly tell them why and let it be.

Of course, if I had to listen to thousands of people singing bad songs with only 5% actually being good, I might snap and take a few heads off, too.

Ferrick