Ellen DeGeneres Defends Judging Qualifications at The Insider

After she made headlines for replacing Paula Abdul on the judges' panel of next season's "American Idol," Ellen DeGeneres is taking on critics who have questioned how qualified she is to judge the hit singing competition.

On Tuesday's episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," the comedienne and talk show host said:

"Apparently, there's a lot of debate going on right now, whether I'm qualified or not to be the new judge on 'American Idol'... I'll tell you right now, how I know I'm going to be a great judge -- because I've spent my whole life being judged. So, I know what it's like. So, I will be kind. I will be compassionate. I will be empathetic, and I will be truthful. I will be an honest judge without being mean.”

Ellen went on to say:

"I'm very excited to be on the show. I will tell you that right now. I just continue to be excited every single day. I knew people would have opinions, and I did not want to know what they were because why should I take that stuff in? I try not to watch anything that I think is going to be talking about me…."

As for Paula's impersonation of her on last week's "VH1 Diva's Live," Ellen joked: "And, I have nothing but love for you too Paula -- but I want my wig back. I really do. Give it back."

The new season of "American Idol" kicks off next January on FOX.

Published 9/21/09 by

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Perfect work!

Anonymous 11/30/09 Reply
B23Ynn I want to say - thank you for this!

Anonymous 10/5/09 Reply
I don't watch American Idol. I can't watch bad singers. If I want to watch bad singers, I turn on the radio. As for Ellen judging, doesn't matter to me. It's only going to matter in the ratings. And being that the show doesn't start up again until January, why hype up the show now? Doesn't really need it.

Anonymous 9/22/09 Reply
obama - ellen - overkill

Anonymous 9/22/09 Reply
I cant wait to see ellen on american idol.She is so cool.

LupitaL9 9/22/09 Reply
Cool:)

Twilight_Lover 9/22/09 Reply
I think it is a mistake but, we will see. Also lately she has started to look and dress more like a guy than she used to too. Hate the hair cut!

Anonymous 9/22/09 Reply
- YOU GUYS ARE TOTALLY INSANE SHE IS GOING TO BE A GREAT JUDGE AND YOU ARE BEING CRAZY SHE IS AN AMAZING NICE AND MUSICAL PERSON GET A GRIP!
  
  Anonymous 9/22/09
No way she should be a judge.

racer_ron 9/22/09 Reply
WHAT DOES BEING JUDGED HAVE TO DO WITH BEING A GOOD JUDGE IN A MEDIUM SHE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT. SHE IS A STAND UP COMEDIAN. SHE CAN'T EVEN DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN SHE USES MUSIC ON HER SHOW. SHE IS BEING SUED FOR USING MUSIC WITHOUT PAYING FOR THE RIGHT TO USE IT.

Anonymous 9/22/09 Reply
in all honesty I don't think Paula was a good judge, as she usually just repeated what ever Randy said and then went off on a tangent about love and rainbows and what have you. I think Ellen will be great, honest, funny and compassionate.

Anonymous 9/22/09 Reply
She has a personal problem that she is not accepted by each and everyone, just want to feel accepted. "Don't mix business with pleasure". Please get over urself. It is normal that not all peolpe accepts what you have chosen for yourslef like anyother

Anonymous 9/22/09 Reply
Go Ellen! Don't mind the people criticizing you! you'll be a great judge!

Anonymous 9/22/09 Reply
Never going to watch idol again......??? Afraid you might turn gay or become a lesbian...??That's ridiculous to be that prejudice and no I'm neither. Married to a man with two grown children. Ellen DeGeneres is one of the funniest, nicest, kind and giving person in Hollywood. I don't agree in her choice for president, though.

Anonymous 9/22/09 Reply
ellen was too kind to paula

Anonymous 9/22/09 Reply
Idol has lost there minds having Ellen on the show to judge. She has no qualifications to be doing that she has not made a music video, she is just helping push the gay adjenda. I refuse to watch IDOL ever again as long as she is on there

Anonymous 9/22/09 Reply