Kara DioGuardi to Return to Idol

LOS ANGELES: FOX, 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia have confirmed that Kara DioGuardi will return as a judge on the upcoming ninth season of American Idol.

DioGuardi joined the show last season as the fourth judge, joining Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul. Cowell is confirmed for the next season, launching on FOX in January 2010, while Jackson’s contract runs through 2011. And host Ryan Seacrest recently signed a new three-year agreement to continue his participation in the show. Abdul’s future on Idol, however, remains up in the air. 

Simon Fuller, creator and executive producer of the series, called DioGuardi "a breath of fresh air, and her passion for music and her understanding of talent is invaluable. This show is all about discovering new talent, and Kara’s championing of Adam Lambert is proof positive of her great instinct."

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, executive producer, added: "Kara brings her own special style and sensibility to the show, which includes her innate talent to identify, nurture and direct a performer’s potential."

Mike Darnell, the president of alternative entertainment at FOX, noted: "Kara’s spitfire personality and sharp musical sensibility infused American Idol with a new energy last year. She clearly has a keen eye for talent spotting Adam Lambert’s superstar quality early on last season and her performance on the season eight finale was one of the most memorable in recent Idol history."