Latest Kara DioGuardi News

American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi strips down to a bikini in the latest issue of Maxim.

When asked if fellow judge Simon Cowell ever lays into her the way he did Paula Abdul, Kara answered, “Definitely. It’s hard for me to say something negative to a contestant without giving something constructive back, and that annoys Simon. But they’re kids, and you feel for them - especially when they have a story, like they’ve overcome cancer or something.”

Remember last season on American Idol when Kara stripped down to a bikini alongside “Bikini Girl”? Hah!

Check out these shots of celebrity guest judges at the American Idol auditions for season 9 hopefuls!

Stars like Katy Perry, Mary J. Blige and Neil Patrick Harris, lent a hand to Kara Dioguardi, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell and helped choose singers who would make it to Hollywood!

Guest judge Victoria Beckham told People she tried to find the best in everyone who auditioned.

“I believe in constructive criticism and I am a very positive person, so I always tried to find something good and helpful to focus on, be it someone’s singing, their looks or their overall style,” Vic said. “Having been a performer, I know how difficult it is to be that person standing there being judged. I didn’t want to trample on people’s dreams.”

American Idol starts up again this Tuesday (January 12) at 8/7c!

Other celeb judges pictured: Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Kristin Chenoweth and Joe Jonas

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American Idol is back for its ninth season a week from today, and here’s your first look at Ellen DeGeneres with host Ryan Seacrest and fellow judges Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell!

The two-night season premiere will air next Tuesday (January 12) at 8/7c on FOX and Wednesday (January 13) in the same time slot. According to Access Hollywood, the premiere week will feature auditions from Atlanta and Boston.

Ellen won’t be on the judging panel until February; instead, guest judges will be sitting in during the initial audition rounds. Look celeb judges including Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Joe Jonas, Katy Perry and more!

10+ pictures inside of Ryan Seacrest and the American Idol judges…

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American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi makes a guest appearance on an upcoming episode of Miley Cyrus’ hit Disney show, Hannah Montana.

In episode “Judge Me Tender,” Hannah (Cyrus) fills in for Kara alongside judges Andy and Byron on reality show America’s Top Talent. Her stint as a guest judge turns complicated when Oliver (Mitchel Musso) auditions and delivers a knock-out performance.

Kara’s episode of Hannah Montana premieres on Sunday, October 18 @ 7:30PM ET/PT on Disney Channel.
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American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi (in Vera Wang) and teacher-turned-general contractor Mike McCuddy tied the knot on Sunday (July 5) at 12:30PM in Prospect Harbor, Maine.

They exchanged vows at the United Methodist Church, across the street from her house, in front of about 30 guests.

“I feel great. What was most unbelievable about the experience was when I looked out at the church and saw all these people that were so important to me and Mike, who were there for us. It was pretty powerful. I was very emotional and I’m not somebody who breaks down and cries,” Kara tells In Touch, adding that the weather even behaved. “It’s been raining in Maine for 60 days. The only day that was nice was yesterday!”

Kara, 38, met Mike, 34, when he built the house next to hers in Maine.

Bigger wedding pic inside… More Here! »

American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert is openly gay, says Idol judge Kara DioGuardi.

“I don’t think that Adam was ever in [the closet],” she says in a taped interview airing Friday on The View. “I think he was always openly out. I never thought he wasn’t.”

When asked by Barbara Walters whether Adam’s perceived sexuality may have swayed voters, Kara said, “Well, first of all, I hope not … because we should be judging on talent and viability in the music industry and they both [Adam and winner Kris Allen] had that.”

American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi strips down to her bikini while performing onstage during the American Idol Season 8 Grand Finale held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Wednesday (May 20) in Los Angeles.

The 38-year-old sang a duet with Katrina Darrell, aka Bikini Girl. The twosome performed their own rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Vision of Love.” Watch the performance below!

FYI: As host Ryan Seacrest so poignantly pointed out, Katrina got breast implants since we last saw her during auditions!

New American Idol hottie judge Kara DioGuardi and Paula Abdul embrace at the 2009 Fox Winter All-Star Party at My House in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

Kara, 38, also spoke at the Fox Network portion of the 2009 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour at the Universal Hilton Hotel Los Angeles on Tuesday, pictured below.

WHAT DO YOU THINK of the new American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi — YAY or NAY?

10+ pictures inside of Kara DioGuardi, the new American Idol hottie judge… More Here! »