Campus Connection

Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi will join American Idol as a judge when the show begins its eight season in January of 2009.  DioGuardi will join veteran judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson

In a news release on the American Idol website, executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz said that the show had originally intended to have four judges.  Frot-Coutaz said, “We’ve seen from our international series that having a fourth judge creates a dynamic that benefits both the contestants and the viewers.”

DioGuardi brings new expertise and perspective to the panel.  As both a songwriter and producer, her songs have appeared on more than 100 million records.  Her clientele includes Grammy winning artists like Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Gwen Stefani, and Santana.  In the last decade she has been award ten BMI Pop Awards for having composed the most played radio songs.

DioGuardi is a co-owner of Arthous Entertainment.

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