KARA DIOGUARDI EXCITED FOR THE ADDITION OF ELLEN TO AMERICAN IDOL

Kara DioGuardi recently attended a benefit for the Country Music Hall Of Fame, and talked about American Idol adding Ellen Degeneres and dropping Paula Abdul.

American Idol has become a true phenomenom on Television for the past 8 years and it’s also one of only three shows that have been #1 in the Nielsen Ratings for five consecutive seasons, along with All in the Family and The Cosby Show. So after all the success the show has experienced with Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, the producers decided the time was right last season to bring on songwriter Kara Dioguardi to the panel of judges. But with the big news that Paula Abdul wasn’t coming back for Season 9, the show knew it was time to bring on another judge with enough star power and ability to connect with it’s millions of viewers and have announced mega star Ellen Degeneres as Abdul’s replacement.

Artisan News caught up with Kara Dioguardi to get her thoughts on Ellen joining the cast of American Idol for Season 9.

“Very, very excited. I think it’s going to be a great addition. I think she can give a lot of perspectives. She loves music, she loves the show, she’s an avid fan, she’s also someone that’s a superstar for twenty years, she’s unforgettable and there is a skill to that. You have to be a star. Not only can you have a great voice and perform well but you have to have that star power that will last. All of the great ones out there have it.”

Kara also talked about how sad she was to learn Paula Abdul was leaving the show after 8 successful seasons.

“You know I was saddened that Paula left. She was a huge part of the show. She gave it a lot of heart and helped it become so big but I support her and her decisions.”

So looking back after her first season, what was Kara’s thoughts on her experience joinging Idol?

“Last year was challanging. It was my first year trying to get everything feeling more like normal because to go from behind the scenes as a songwriter into a show where 30 million people are hanging on every word was daunting at times but it’s definitely an amazing experience and something that’s changed my life.”rn

American Idol seeks to uncover new talent with a series of nation wide auditions and brings fans close to the process with fan voting. The show has already introduced a wealth of new artists to the world including past winners Kelly Clarkson (Season One), Ruben Studdard (Season Two), Fantasia Barrino (Season Three), Carrie Underwood (Season Four), Taylor Hicks (Season Five), Jordin Sparks (Season Six), David Cook (Season Seven), and Kris Allen (Season Eight), not to mention artists who didn’t win like Chris Daughtry, Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken. American Idol is broadcast to over 100 nations outside of the United States and will return for its much-anticipated ninth season in January 2010 once again being hosted by Ryan Seacrest.rn