Hussainy: 'I will not give up make-up job'

Mezhgan Hussainy has insisted that she will not give up her make-up job on American Idol.

Hussainy, who is engaged to music mogul Simon Cowell, reportedly earns an annual sum of £40,000 for her work on the talent show.

The News of the World quotes her as saying: "The irony for me is that in [Afghanistan], once the Taliban took over, women couldn't even show their face or put on make-up.

"Make-up is part of being a woman and it does give you self-assurance and confidence. In a way, you're ready to conquer the world. It has such a huge effect on people."

Meanwhile, an insider added: "Mezhgan adores her job and has no plans to give it up. Simon wouldn't want her to anyway.

"He likes the fact that she has a career independent from him, and he knows first-hand just how good a make-up artist she is."