Kara DioGuardi Out at 'American Idol'

Announcement confirms widespread reports

By Marisa Guthrie -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/3/2010 9:04:14 PM

It's official. Kara DioGuardi is stepping down as a judge on American Idol, confirming widespread reports. DioGuardi spent two seasons on the show.

She is the third judge to exit the show since wrapping its ninth season last May. Longtime judge Simon Cowell left the show to helm an American version of his British talent show The X Factor for Fox. Ellen DeGeneres, whose tenure was even shorter than DioGuardi's at one season, announced last month that she was leaving.

"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," DioGuardi said in a statement. "I look forward to my next challenge, and want to thank everyone who has supported me. All the best to everyone on Season 10!" 

"Kara was a great addition to our Idol family," Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, added in the same statement. "I've been fortunate to get to know her well, and have always been amazed by her eye for talent and her commitment to developing and mentoring artists. She will be missed, and we wish her continued success."