 |
| Kara DioGuardi |
Grammy Award-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi has been tapped to join Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell as a judge on the next season of American Idol. The new American Idol judge will take her place at the critiquing table for the eighth season of the hit show, which is set to premiere in January on Fox. Thirty-seven year-old DioGuardi has penned songs for such top tier artists as Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears and Avril Lavigne.
“We are turning the heat up on Idol this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges’ table,” the show’s creator, Simon Fuller, said in a statement released to the press. “She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America’s most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show.”
Fox representative Mike Darnell noted in the statement that it was about time the show had a bit more of a feminine flavor. “For the past seven seasons, Paul has had to endure the experience of being the only woman at the judges’ table,” Darnell said. “She’s been an island of consideration and gentle criticism between Randy and Simon, offering her invaluable experience as a performer and No. 1 artist to the thousands who have competed on Idol.”
“With Kara by her side, Paula finally has some backup, and now there is going to be a lot more girl power on the show,” Darnell said.
According to Executive Producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz, American Idol was originally slated to have four judges on the show—as some overseas versions of the hit series have. The addition of DioGuardi is only one of the changes to be made to the series for the eighth season. Other alterations to the format of the show are rumored to be in the works to ‘turn the heat up’ on the series and re-engage Idol audiences and prop up sagging ratings.
During her impressive career, DioGuardi’s songs have been recorded by such hit artists as Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkston, the Jonas Brothers, Santana, Kylie Minogue, Ricky Martin and others. DioGuardi was nominated in 2007 for a Latin Grammy for Best Song with co-writers Belinda, Mitch Allan, Ben Moody and Nacho Peregrin for the Belinda single, “Bella Tracion.”
