Since Eric came along, Simon has went from “I don’t care about your cat” to “Here’s a photo of my son with a giraffe.” He even apologized for being mean on shows. I’m not saying having a kid changes you, but I am saying Simon now owns a minivan. (Okay, it’s probably a luxury SUV, but you get the vibe.)
My own dad was the same way. Before I was born, he was a “no cartoons after 7 PM” type. After I showed up, he’d let me eat ice cream for breakfast if it meant I’d stop crying. That’s the dad effect. Simon going from “You sang off-key” to “Here, Eric, have another cookie” is the celebrity version of every dad’s transformation.
What’s Next for Eric?
At 10, Eric is probably a few years away from asking for a smartphone and getting a firm “No” delivered in Simon’s most judge-like voice. “I’m not cruel, I’m honest,” Simon would say, before handing over an iPad mini. In five years, he’ll be a teenager, and Simon will be the guy posting “My son just rolled his eyes at me—be proud of me, I didn’t press the X button.”
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We’ll all be watching. Not because we’re stalkers, but because watching a grumpy billionaire become a doting dad is like a slow-motion car crash of wholesomeness. You can’t look away.