Kara DioGuardi: Posing in a Bikini on Idol "Saved My Job"
Kara DioGuardi is all about the bikini!
Nearly a year after strutting around in a black two-piece on stage at last season's American Idol finale, the judge -- who poses in a white bikini in April's Women's Health magazine -- admits the stunt "probably saved my job."
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"I kept saying no," the songwriter, 39, tells Women's Health, recalling the plan to face off against "Bikini Girl" Katrina Darrell. "I mean, what crazy nut is gonna go out there in a bikini at almost 40 years of age against a girl who is 20 and probably cosmetically enhanced?"
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Still, she calls it "a defining moment" that helped her fit in among judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul.
"Like, 'She’s serious and industry, but also as kooky as everyone else on this panel,'" DioGuardi says. "I looked a little pasty. But hey, at least I didn’t wet myself!"
So, how has she maintained her bikini body?
She hits the gym four times a week. While there, she runs two miles or does 25 minutes of cardio.
"Boxing, treadmill, step-ups, walking lunges, sprints... I mix it up," she says. "And weight training is important as you get older. You build muscle, which burns fat when you're at rest."
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And in addition to drinking at least "two huge bottles" of water a day, she eats plenty of veggie stir-fry, adding that "the more roughage you eat, the more it fills you up."
And if she ever loses motivation to maintain her fitness and diet plan, she counts on her loved ones.
"Someone [close to me] said, ‘You may want to work on your arms -- they’re a little jiggly,'" she says. "The people in my life have no qualms about telling me when I don't look great!"
Tell Us What You Think
17I can't stand the way she speaks or acts. She says all her words so slowly like she's practically orgasming with each one, and she dramatizes things so much. I like Ellen way better than her and Paula even better. And she's probably only thin because she probably starves herself like the rest of Hollywood.
who cares? why is it that everyone only cares about looks and weight and working out? so boring to me. her family seriously comes to her to tell her that her arms are jiggly? that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.
So what if she has never had kids? Bottom line it is difficult for women to maintain their weight as they get older, whether they've given birth or not. I'm 10 years younger than her, have never had kids either, but am already starting to struggle with my weight. Kudos to her.
I think some women have a better metabolism or genetics and can easily get back to the body they had before pregnancy and others can't. I know with my second child I lost all the weight yet I still wore a size bigger clothing and that has never changed. Everyone is different but I'd say yeah it's definitely easier if you don't have the challenge of having to loose baby weight. That being said I think she looks great. Good for her. Not that easy for most people though.
i said she is great!(for many reasons) and beautiful inside and out, smart, talented, gorgeous, intelligent and accompolished. And, I cant wait to see you Kara at AC on Fri. I will be waiving from middle section 200; row g. see ya there, you so rock!
I am a big fan of Kara. She is not only beautiful inside and out but smart,intelligent and much more. articulate -- i love the way she speaks with such command yet honesty. She is so multi talented. She has the POWER!!! She is great. I cAn't say enough. Many accomplishments! I adore her and can't wait to see her in AC!!Look for me, I'll be waiving from center row g section 200 on friday nite.
She can be annoying, but overall, I think she has clear critiques and understandable comments for the singers. She is a pretty woman with a great body. Btw, having kids doesn't mean you'll look awful afterwards...look at Claudia Schiffer, Shania Twain, or Elisabeth Hasselback. :D
You look great, especially at your age. Good point about building muscle.
She looks great. She put that silly bikini girl to shame...HA HA
i seriously dont like kara. shes annoying and acts like a know-it-all. i'm glad simon puts her in her place sometimes when she makes stupid judgements. oh and the only reason she looks this good is because shes never had a kid but watch her blow up after she gives birth. annoying b!tch!!!
She is so pretty. Her face is still so young looking. She looks like my niece. She's kept herself in great shape.
well she looks great but i have to agree with LOL on that one she doesnt have any kids and hasnt had to put off any baby weight.
She's annoying...and stuck on herself.
she looks good. Bikini Girl "probably cosmetically enhanced" - um, yea.
Kara looks phenomenal! Amazing @ 40. I hope to look that great when i'm 40.
ok..nice bod
They forgot to add she has no kids, never gained an extra 30 lbs to have to shed! Give me a break.