Was it a shaving accident, as his reps say, or something more intentional? Sporting what looked like either a Band-Aid or surgical tape behind his ear, talent competition guru Simon Cowell sparked rumors that he had a facelift, reports the New York Post’s Page Six.

Sources told the publication that Cowell, 52, had a procedure to make sure he looked good next to younger "X Factor" judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato — with Lovato nicknaming him "Grandpa," the story notes.

Representatives for Cowell said he accidentally cut himself while shaving.

The report adds: “Spies at a recent California audition tell us a tanned and relaxed Cowell ‘looked pretty good’ and showed no obvious signs of bruising or surgery.”