Kara DioGuardi confirms she is leaving 'American Idol'

09/03/2010 by Corinne Heller

Kara DioGuardi will not return as a judge on American Idol in the upcoming 10th season, the singing contest show's network FOX said in a statement on Friday, following weeks of speculation made amid a series shake-up.

"I felt like I won the lottery when I joined American Idol two years ago, but I feel like now is the best time to leave Idol," the network quoted DioGuardi as saying, without detaining the reasons for her departure.

"I am very proud to have been associated with American Idol it has truly been an amazing experience. I look forward to my next challenge, and want to thank everyone who has supported me," she said. "All the best to everyone on Season 10!"

It was reported in late July that DioGuardi, who replaced Paula Abdul in 2009, would leave the series. The ratings for the American Idol season nine finale in May were the lowest recorded among its season ending episodes. General ratings for American Idol have more than tripled since the series debuted in 2002 but have declined slowly during the past few years.

The show's most acerbic judge, Simon Cowell, left American Idol after the finale and had announced his departure months beforehand. Ellen Degeneres, who joined the show last season, said in July she had decided to leave the show, citing a busy work schedule and saying she felt it difficult to "judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings."

Nigel Lythgoe, who is returning as executive producer of American Idol after a 2008 departure, had said during his break from the series that would replace the entire judges panel on American Idol.

Randy Jackson, who has been a judge on the series since it began in 2002, appears to be the only judge set to return for the 10th season, which is scheduled to air in January. It it unclear how many people will serve on the panel.

Steven Tyler, lead singer of the rock band Aerosmith, is set to become a new judge on American Idol, his bandmate Tom Hamilton said in mid-August. Jennifer Lopez has also been named as a candidate, although she and show officials have not commented. In August, Lythgoe refused to confirm or deny reports about her.

FOX entertainment chairman Peter Rice has said he expects a panel to be in place by the time auditions begin before the judges in mid-September.

Abdul, who served as an American Idol judge since the show's debut, is working on a new dance competition series and Cowell is working on an American version of British talent series The X Factor.