The X Factor USA began a new series Wednesday night and there was an emotional start to the singing contest as Simon Cowell was almost moved to tears.
The show boss, who was joined by new judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato, appeared to have gone soft when 19-year-old contestant Jillian Jensen revealed she was a victim of bullying and cried during her performance.
Notoriously mean Cowell got emotional and said: “That's the only time in my life I’ve lost it,” before fanning himself to keep from crying.
WATCH what happened in the video above.
The X Factor Season 2 Premiere Party
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(01 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Britney Spears arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(02 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Britney Spears arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(03 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Britney Spears arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(04 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Britney Spears arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(05 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Britney Spears arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season Two Premiere(06 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Singer Britney Spears and fiance Jason Trawick arrive at 'The X Factor' Season Two Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(07 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(08 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(09 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(10 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(11 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(12 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(13 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season Two Premiere(14 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell and singer Demi Lovato arrive at 'The X Factor' Season Two Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(15 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(16 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(17 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(18 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(19 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(20 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(21 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season Two Premiere(22 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Singer Britney Spears arrives at 'The X Factor' Season Two Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(23 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Britney Spears arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season Two Premiere(24 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Singer Britney Spears and fiance Jason Trawick arrive at 'The X Factor' Season Two Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season Two Premiere(25 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Singer Britney Spears arrives at 'The X Factor' Season Two Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season Two Premiere(26 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at 'The X Factor' Season Two Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(27 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(28 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season Two Premiere(29 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Antonio Reid, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and Simon Cowell arrive at 'The X Factor' Season Two Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
Britney Spears(30 of59)
Britney Spears attends "The X Factor" season two premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell(31 of59)
Judges Britney Spears, left, and Demi Lovato embrace at "The X Factor" season two premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Britney Spears(32 of59)
Britney Spears attends "The X Factor" season two premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Britney Spears, Demi Lovato(33 of59)
Judges Britney Spears, left, and Demi Lovato sign their names during a handprint ceremony at "The X Factor" season two premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Britney Spears(34 of59)
Britney Spears attends "The X Factor" season two premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Simon Cowell(35 of59)
Simon Cowell attends "The X Factor" season two premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Demi Lovato(36 of59)
Demi Lovato places her hands in cement at "The X Factor" season two premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Demi Lovato(37 of59)
Demi Lovato attends "The X Factor" season two premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Britney Spears, Demi Lovato(38 of59)
Judges, from left, L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and Simon Cowell attend "The X Factor" season two premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Britney Spears, Demi Lovato(39 of59)
Judges, from left, L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and Simon Cowell attend "The X Factor" season two premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Demi Lovato(40 of59)
Demi Lovato attends "The X Factor" season two premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Simon Cowell(41 of59)
Simon Cowell attends "The X Factor" season two premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(42 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Terri Seymour arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(43 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Melanie Amaro arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(44 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: L.A. Reid arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(45 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Demi Lovato arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(46 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(47 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Simon Cowell arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(48 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Demi Lovato and Britney Spears arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(49 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Demi Lovato arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(50 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Demi Lovato arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season Two Premiere(51 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Singer Britney Spears arrives at 'The X Factor' Season Two Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(52 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Britney Spears arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(53 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Demi Lovato arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(54 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Demi Lovato arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(55 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Demi Lovato arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(56 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Demi Lovato arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Season 2 Premiere Party(57 of59)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Demi Lovato arrives at the 'The X Factor' Season 2 Premiere Party at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on September 11, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
(58 of59)
FILE - This May 24, 2012 file photo released by Fox shows judges, from left, L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and Simon Cowell from the singing competition series, "The X Factor," in Austin, Texas. The contest between "The Voice" and "The X Factor" is escalating after NBC scheduled its "Voice" against Wednesday's second-season debut of Fox's "X Factor." (AP Photo/Fox, Ray Mickshaw) (credit:AP)
(59 of59)
This June 2012 photo released by FOX shows judges, from left, L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and Simon Cowell on the set of "The X Factor." The contest between "The Voice" and "The X Factor" is escalating after NBC scheduled its "Voice" against Wednesday's second-season debut of Fox's "X Factor." (AP Photo/FOX, Ray Mickshaw) (credit:AP)