Kara DioGuardi
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April 19, 2011
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In her upcoming memoir, A Helluva High Note, the former American Idol judge bravely reveals she was molested at the age of eleven.
"I remember freezing and not knowing what to do,” Kara DioGuardi writes. In the memoir, she also reveals that she was date-raped in 2000.
DioGuardi’s traumatic experiences also seem to be where she draws her inspiration.
We spoke with Kara at Elle’s 2nd Annual Women in Music show, and she told HOLLYSCOOP: “Most of my hits were born out of pain, real life, love I lost, anguish or things I don’t want to think back on.”
As far as the date rape incident, Kara says the aggressor was a “fairly known producer” who forced himself on her. She kept her mouth shut about the raping out of fear that it would ruin her career. She also writes about a “hugely successful artist” who sexually harassed her.
It seems like Kara’s career has been a bittersweet one, but she uses her experiences to empower herself and other women.
Kara told Hollyscoop: “You look at Katy Perry, you look at Gaga you look at Ke$ha, it’s all women its all empowerment women writing their own songs going out there branding themselves…and I think it really is important that we celebrate them.”
DioGuardi's memoir will be released April 29th.
October 26, 2010
Singer-songwriter herself Jewel will host the show, and occasionally help Kara out at the judges table.
Kara DioGuardi Blindsided By Idol Firing
The show is a songwriting competition that will follow 12 musicians as they write music and lyrics for different genres, from hip-hop to love songs to dance tracks. The winner will receive a $100,000 prize, as well as music-publishing and recording deals.
"Hit songs are the backbone of the music industry, and as a publisher, nothing excites me more than finding new songwriting talent," DioGuardi said in a statement. "I am happy to be a part of a show that helps up and coming songwriters pursue their dreams, while giving the public a look into the creative process."
A source familiar with the show says it's a good fit for DioGuardi because "at heart, she's a songwriter. Idol was performance-driven. This isn't just about finding the next big singer – it's about finding a hit maker, and she loves to nurture talent."
Sounds like a pretty cool idea for a show—and a perfect fit for both Kara and Jewel!
August 13, 2010
Image by Splash News
Kara’s father Joe DioGuardi, who is a Republican senate candidate, tells NY-based TV show Capitol Tonight that she had no idea what was coming.
"She read it the way you did and I did,” Joe explained. “Her disappointment is that that's the way she's being treated and she feels that's not proper. I think they're trying to create a lot of buzz ... they're trying to reformat the thing.”
He thinks his daughter will be fine though, because she had already had an established career in the industry prior to getting on Idol. “Kara has a very deep career in music ... she'll be fine,” he said. “Would she want to do it another year? I think so ... I think at some point [she] will confront them on that."
That’s an awful way to find out you’ve lost your job! It seems weird that they’re only keeping Randy Jackson on board. The two frontrunners at this point to join him are Steven Tyler and Shania Twain.
We’re not really thrilled with either of them. What do you think?
July 30, 2010
According to Deadline, Kara was given the boot the same day Ellen announced that she's leaving the show for good.
Jennifer Lopez has been hired and that Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler will likely replace Simon Cowell. They don't want more than 3 judges total on the show, like it used to be when the show was actually good.
Jessica Simpson is still in talks to join the judges as well, so if they offer her the job, she'll be the third and final judge.
How do you feel about all these changes? Can American Idol be saved?
February 8, 2010
Ellen makes her debut as Idol judge on tomorrow’s episode, which is the first day of “Hollywood Week.” This is usually the part of the season when tensions are the highest, and tears flow like rivers! So we hope Ellen put on her game face!
Check out a sneak peek of Ellen as she joins the ranks of Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi. And tune in tomorrow at 8PM on Fox!
December 22, 2009
Now we hear Simon Cowell is definitely leaving Idol after this season. We’ve heard rumors for months about his departure, but his brother has now confirmed the news.
Tony Cowell said via podcast, “Meanwhile, Simon prepares for a new season of Idol—or should I say, his last season of Idol. OK, I will. Because it is. As I sit here with my family in the sunny Caribbean, a press statement is being prepared, which will confirm what everyone expected: Simon will leave Idol at the end of 2010 to concentrate on bringing the American version of X Factor to U.S. TV in 2011.”
We guess we can’t blame Simon. He must be tired of doing Idol year after year. X Factor has proven to be a very popular show overseas, so we’re excited for it to premiere here in the U.S.!
September 17, 2009
Kara told NY Mag, “It’s called ‘Dropped.’ I’m starting to shop it now. It takes the best acts that have been dropped and gives them a second chance. You look at Katy Perry, the Jonas Brothers, Alicia Keys, and Lady Gaga, they all have one thing in common: They’ve all been dropped from their labels. I was dropped. Think about how many times in your life you haven’t achieved one goal, but you’ve achieved another one.”
The magazine asked Kara if she would take over hosting duties on the show, but Kara wouldn’t’ get into it. She said, “Oh, my God, now we’re getting into particulars. All right, maybe! I shouldn’t have opened my big mouth.”
As for now, Kara will be busy back on the judges’ table on American Idol when the show returns this January.
August 6, 2009
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But Fox has now come forward to announce they intend to find a full-time replacement to fill Paula’s seat on the judge’s panel. Today Fox Chairman of Entertainment Peter Rice said, “There is going to be a search.”
Rice also mentioned that they had hoped Paula would return to Idol after they offered her a new deal. However, when she Twittered that she wouldn’t be accepting the offer, the network put out an official statement.
He added, “We were hoping Paula came back. We love Paula. She’s been a really wonderful part of the show for eight years.There is going to be a change and that change we have to look at that as being a positive change. It wasn’t a decision we made, but we have to look at it in a positive way.”
As for Paula’s replacement, Rice says they’re looking for “someone who has great chemistry” with Simon, Randy, and Kara. The auditions will feature the aforementioned guest judges, while they’ll search for the full-time replacement until January, when the show goes live. That gives them a lot of time.
Who do you think could fill Paula’s shoes?
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Earlier today Ryan Seacrest said he was "shocked" when he heard the news. "I'm just bummed because we've worked together for so many years," Ryan said on his radio show this morning.
After Paula broke the news via her twitter page, Ryan wrote, "Spoke to randy..hope to speak with paula privately overnight," and later added, "Idol and the cast have grown with each other over the last 8 seasons..I can't imagine the panel without puala. She's a star @ a great friend."
"I got on the phone to track down whoever I could before I went to sleep and I was told, 'Yeah, it's sad but true. She's leaving,' " Ryan told E! Online. "This week, Randy, Simon, Kara and I are in Denver at the end of the week so I'm sure I'll have more to tell you."
Sources tell Hollyscoop that Paula hasn't been involved in any of the auditions that took place in the last couple of weeks for the upcoming season.
Inside sources told Hollyscoop that her departure was a long time coming, and despite what the other judges are saying, "they really aren't surprised by the news, especially because they have Kara now."
One of the biggest reasons for her departure was money. She asked for about $20 million from the network, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and rejected a 30 percent raise, an eight-figure, multi-year deal. Were you surprised by the news?
August 5, 2009
"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to Idol," Paula wrote on her Twitter page on Tuesday. "I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day one become an international phenomenon."
She adds: "What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me. I do, without any doubt, have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all."
Paula didn't give a specific reason for her departure, but we all know it was due to contract negotiations. Paula reportedly wanted a lot more money from the network, and they just couldn't come to an agreement.
"Paula Abdul has been an important part of the American Idol family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show," Fox television says in a statement.
"While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best."
Just a few weeks ago Paula's manager said there was no contract on the table from the network and that "sadly" it didn't appear she would be returning. Guess he wasn't kidding! As whacky as she may have been at times, Paula was just as important to the show as Simon.
Do you think American Idol will be the same without her? Who is your favorite judge? Should Paula be replaced? If so, with who?
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