Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi will be joining Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson as a fourth judge on American Idol.

Kara will sit alongside the panel of judges as the show enters it’s eighth season in January, according to the Fox network.

“For the past seven seasons, Paula has had to endure the experience of being the only woman at the judges’ table,” said Mike Darnell, president, alternative programming of Fox, in a statement.

“With Kara by her side, Paula has some backup and now there is going to be a lot more `girl power’ on the show,” Darnell said.

“We are turning the heat up on `Idol’ this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges’ table,” said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller in a statement. “She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America’s most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show.”

DioGuardi says she found out she was in the running when “my agent called me and he said, ‘you are on a short list to be the 4th judge on American Idol,’ and I said ‘Are you calling for me or did you dial the wrong number?’ They were, like, ‘no seriously this is going on this can happen,’ and I was, like, ‘there is no way they are going to pick me. Why wouldn’t they pick someone famous? Someone everyone knows?’

“But you know, I guess they saw something about me that they thought was good, and they wanted to put somebody who was from the industry on the show and so, I got the job.”

37-year-old DioGuardi is a successful songwriter, record producer and singer who has written or co-written many hit songs.

DioGuardi’s songs have been recorded by artists including Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears, Pussycat Dolls, Celine Dion, Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Santana, Ashlee Simpson, Jewel and Kylie Minogue and many others.

Writing collaborations include Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Dr. Dre and Chad Kroeger.

DioGuardi’s forthcoming releases and collaborations include cuts from artists David Cook, Britney Spears, Esmee Denters, Pink, Martina McBride, Hannah Montana, Demi Lovato, Diego, Menudo, Tom Jones, Amie Miriello, The Pussycat Dolls, Nick Lachey, Daniel Powter, Crosby Loggins, Tyler Hilton, Halestorm, Jesse Lee, and Clique.

She also has songs featured in the upcoming Camp Rock movie, The Cheetah Girls 3 and the Hannah Montana movie.

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Filed under: American Idol, Celebrities