She's finally come into her own, but the newest
American Idol judge knows as little as we do about whether or not the four-judge format is here to stay.
“I’m only here for one season,” Kara DioGuardi tells TV Guide Magazine exclusively. “That’s what we’ve discussed. So we’ll see what happens. Hopefully they’ll keep me on.”
When asked if DioGuardi would be back next year, Simon Cowell told TV Guide Magazine, "I would imagine so, but the only say I have is about Ryan, Randy and Paula. I’ve always made it clear that I wouldn’t like to do the show without them. So that’s all I'm really concerned about."
At the Phoenix House’s 6th Annual Triumph for Teens Awards Gala in Beverly Hills on April 30, DioGuardi admits to us that the experience has been overwhelming, but says she is nothing but grateful.
“My life has become extremely exciting and I am so excited for this opportunity,” she says. “I feel grateful to America that they let me grow and they let me find my groove on the show and that they were patient. And hopefully I haven’t disappointed them. It’s been a scary experience at times.”
The songwriter with more than 100 hit singles to her name has already considered pairing up with this season’s Idols for some song writing sessions, but first on the agenda has been penning the winner’s song. She has submitted her entry and is now waiting to find out which song will be picked.
DioGuardi was honored with the Phoenix Rising Award after helping build a studio for the program that helps troubled youth fight addiction.
“My father’s been a board member for many years and he said, “Kara, will you give some money to the Phoenix House?” and I thought, I’m going to build a recording studio, because I had this hunch that giving kids access to a place where they could record their feelings would be very therapeutic. I know it had been that in my own life. And it actually worked. It’s become a large part of their curriculum.”
Do you think Kara will return next season?