GRAMMY-NOMINATED SONGWRITER KARA DIOGUARDI TO RETURN AS JUDGE ON "AMERICAN IDOL"

FOX, 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia announced today that Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi will return as a judge on the ninth season of AMERICAN IDOL, premiering January 2010 on FOX. DioGuardi will continue to use her background as an award-winning songwriter and producer to critique and nurture the contestants throughout the competition.

"We are so happy to welcome back Kara for her second season with IDOL," said Simon Fuller, Creator/Executive Producer, AMERICAN IDOL. "She is 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."

"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," said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Executive Producer, AMERICAN IDOL. "We're very pleased with her contributions as the fourth judge on the panel."

"Kara's spitfire personality and sharp musical sensibility infused AMERICAN IDOL with a new energy last year," said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. "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."

Since the last season of AMERICAN IDOL ended, DioGuardi has returned to songwriting and producing. Her work has paid off, as she's currently enjoying a host of new hits from a diverse group of artists, including Cobra Starship featuring Leighton Meester, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Theory of a Deadman, Jessie James and Tom Jones, as well as a song for the popular TV show "Hannah Montana." DioGuardi also has forthcoming tracks with Colbie Caillat, Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts, in addition to a song for the feature film "Camp Rock 2."

DioGuardi was recently honored with the 2009 Icon Award, which is granted by the National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) to outstanding songwriters for personal achievement. She is also a Grammy Award nominee, the 2007 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year and a 2007 SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) Award winner.

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc. and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

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