'American Idol''s Kara DioGuardi: 'It's Not an Easy Job'

'American Idol' to Add Fourth Judge
Copyright 2008 Chad Buchanan / Getty Images
When Kara DioGuardi joined Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paul Abdul as the fourth judge on "American Idol" she didn't quite know what to expect, but with the season winding down Kara is opening up about her new gig.

"I probably in my own way didn't really take in what a huge thing it was, just 'cause it would be so overwhelming," Kara tells the Associated Press. "It's not an easy job. I mean there was nothing wrong with that panel. It wasn't like I had to fix something. It was great. So to come in and kind of be part of it was really tricky."

Kara tells the AP that she feels she is a happy medium between the other judges saying, "I'm a combination of them in different ways. I think I can be hard sometimes and then soft in other times, depending on what I think the contestant needs."

The well established songwriter has her career experience to draw on while at the judge's table, and she says her ultimate goal on the show is to focus on the positive things the contestants are doing "to help America find the best 'Idol' and to help these kids."

Published 4/20/09 by the Insider

Comments (8)

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  • They could easily lose Paula (or Randy for that matter) and not miss a thing. I like Kara - she's honest without being nasty like Simon, and she gives sensible, coherent critiques (unlike Paula, who usually sounds like a drunken crack monkey).
    Anonymous 4/22/09 Reply
  • I like Kara because she really pinpoints what area the contestant should work on. She does it in a positive way and it's refreshing. I love the other judges and am not dissing them here. All four judges give an opinion from their experiences;...
    Anonymous 4/21/09 Reply
  • This Kara chick makes me tired. Blah-blah-blah, on and on about nothing during the show. She's the reason I turn it off. And that's happening more and more.
    Anonymous 4/20/09 Reply
  • As long as Simon continues the show will remain #1 - I have my doubts however if he leaves the show. Simon is who we want to hear.
    Grams 4/20/09 Reply
  • Nothing against Kara or any of the other judges, but I think it would have been nice to have a judge on there that is a lot younger then the current judges. I know most of them have established careers in the music industry, but I like to see a...
    Anonymous 4/20/09 Reply
  • It was said that she posted her nice profile on a celeb _____Meet Wea lthy com______ to seek for rich man to date. Many guys like her very much.
    Anonymous 4/20/09 Reply
  • seriously, whats the point with talking about the nr 1 show as if they have problems??? they dont. THEY ARE NUMBER ONE ON TELEVISION. Theres no way to improve on number One. So who cares if they sometimes run over. Fox should be happy! its not like...
    Anonymous 4/20/09 Reply
  • the judge that they could easily lose for next season is Randy jackson, nobody cares about him. i honestly wouldnt mind seeing a panel with Kara, Paula and Simon next year, and lose the useless dawg. but if they decide to keep all 4, I dont mind...
    Anonymous 4/20/09 Reply