Celebrity Celebrity Family Celebrity Parenting Why Simon Cowell Hopes His Son Eric 'Never' Comes on 'America's Got Talent' (Exclusive) The judge tells PEOPLE his 9-year-old — who sat in on the audience for Tuesday's season 18 live show — is a "great barometer" for evaluating contestants' performances By Kelly Martinez Kelly Martinez Kelly Martinez is a TV writer-reporter at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2023. She was previously a Staff Writer at BuzzFeed for over three years. People Editorial Guidelines Published on September 13, 2023 01:22AM EDT Close Simon Cowell, Laura Silverman and Eric Cowell at "America's Got Talent". Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage Simon Cowell is beyond proud of his son, Eric — but that doesn't mean he wants to see him on the world's biggest stage any time soon! Speaking to PEOPLE backstage after Tuesday's America's Got Talent live show, the judge explains why he hopes his 9-year-old — who was in the audience for the season 18 qualifier round — will "never" come on the show as a contestant. "He's a good drummer," Cowell, 63, says of his son, whom he shares with fiancée Lauren Silverman. "He really is. Thank God it wasn't violin, it was drums. And he's really good. I mean, he's in time. He's in rhythm. I keep saying to him, 'If you're good, never come on the show.'" Simon Cowell on season 18 of "America's Got Talent". Trae Patton/NBC When asked what kind of act he and Eric would perform if they took the stage together, the judge admits he would probably "stand in the wings" while his son stole the show with his drumming skills. "Oh God," he groans. "I dread to think... I would be, I actually don't have any performing talent whatsoever, so it would have to be him. I would just stand in the wings." Simon Cowell Says a 'Weight Has Lifted' After Opening Up About His Journey with Depression and Therapy The judge also tells PEOPLE he loves seeing Eric and his friends get "excited" in the live show's audience, explaining that his son has been coming to watch the performances since he was "really young." "He's a great barometer," Cowell shares. "I look over to look at him, 'Is he having a good time?' And he was having a really good time when he's up on his seat, excited. [It] is the best thing, because with kids, it's all unfiltered." Terry Crews, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofía Vergara and Simon Cowell on "America's Got Talent". Trae Patton/NBC Simon Cowell Says Son, 9, Wants to Play Drums in a Rock Band: 'That's Going to Be Total Torture' This isn't the first time the proud father has spoken highly of his son's budding talent. In August, he revealed to Entertainment Tonight that the 9-year-old wants to pursue a career as a drummer and "be in a rock band." "He’s now decided he's going to audition for Britain's Got Talent," he told ET at the time. "I think he wants to be in a rock band. He loves Green Day." Simon Cowell and Eric Cowell a ceremony honoring Simon with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 22, 2018 in Hollywood. Rich Fury/Getty Simon Cowell Says His Son, 8, Helped Him Find Balance: 'Before Eric, My Life Was 99 Percent Work' “That's going to be total torture," Cowell continued, joking. "I mean, of all the things I've ever done, this will probably be the hardest, because he does play drums. [He's] going to drum and sing! I went, 'Oh God, no.'" Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Fans will find out which two viewer-voted contestants to move onto the season 18 finale when the America's Got Talent results show airs Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.