Cowell of 'Idol' engaged to makeup artist

Publicist Max Clifford said in a statement that Cowell, 50, and Hussainy, 35, are engaged after dating for nearly a year, Parade Magazine reported Friday.

"(Mezhgan) is someone who is independent and says what she thinks and feels, and he likes that," Clifford said. "He's probably the happiest I have ever known him in the nine years I've been working with him."

Parade said Hussainy, who met Cowell several years ago, has confirmed the engagement to the Web site RadarOnline.com.

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