'The X Factor's' Simon Cowell Joins Twitter

Simon Cowell is now part of Twitter nation.

our editor recommends

'X Factor': Vocal Sweetening? Lip Syncing? The Lowdown on the Show’s Sound

'X Factor' Behind the Scenes: The Top 11 Work Out the Week's Performances

'X Factor': Simon Cowell and Judges Address Contestant Controversies, Broken Dreams

Inside Simon Cowell's 'X Factor' Trailer (Exclusive)

The X Factor judge and creator joined the social-networking site Wednesday, under the handle @simoncowell. He sent out his first and so far only tweet Wednesday afternoon, which included a shoutout to his Fox singing competition airing that night.

PHOTOS: 'X Factor' Top 17 Finalists: Get to Know the Artists

"It's official," he said. "I know it's taken a while. It's really me! We're live in 10 minutes. I'll keep you posted. Lots of love #iamsimon."

However, it appears that Cowell has been planning his Twitter debut for some time, since his account was already verified.

PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes: THR's 'X Factor' Cover Shoot

At press time, Cowell already had 21,090 followers -- and that number was quickly growing.

His fellow judges -- Antonio "L.A." Reid, Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul -- and X Factor host Steve Jones already have Twitter accounts.

PHOTOS: An 'American Idol' to 'X Factor' Timeline

So far, Cowell is following only eight others on Twitter. In addition to Reid, Scherzinger, Abdul and Jones, Cowell follows the X Factor account as well as his mentees on the show: Rachel Crow, Melanie Amaro and Drew Ryniewicz.

X Factor's live performance episodes air at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, with the results show at 8 p.m. Thursdays.