Kara DioGuardi

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American Idol Gives Back Charity Event to Return Next Season

Tuesday – October 06, 2009 – 11:32am

Idol's Kara DioGuardi: I'm "Ecstatic" Over Ellen News!
Thursday – September 17, 2009 – 2:33pm
Idol's Kara DioGuardi Supports Hiring Ellen
Friday – September 11, 2009 – 8:41am
Joe Jonas to Be Guest Judge on Idol
Tuesday – August 18, 2009 – 7:10pm
Idol's Simon Cowell Close to Signing $45 Million Deal
Tuesday – August 11, 2009 – 1:28pm

All Kara DioGuardi News »

The tough-as-nails new fourth judge of American Idol might be best known for telling off Phoenix Idol contestant “Bikini Girl” in the show’s eighth season premiere, but she's also a well-respected producer and songwriter who has penned tracks for the likes of Celine Dion and Christina Aguilera.

Born in in New Rochelle, N.Y., DioGuardi earned a political science degree at Duke University before accepting a position in the publishing and marketing department at Billboard magazine. DioGuardi met her future cojudge, Paula Abdul, on the New York City streets years before her Idol debut, when she gave Abdul a demo she had recorded using a mutual friend from Billboard as a conversation starter.

She made her television debut next to Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Abdul during the show’s most recent season, and in July 2009, DioGuardi wed contractor Mike McCuddy.