American Idol Gossip

The public got its first glimpse of Kara DioGuardi alongside her American Idol judging partners yesterday.

Kara, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson were in Manhattan for a round of season eight auditions. They look like one happy family so far, don't they?

Here are a few more shots of Kara DioGuardi mugging it up with Simon and company. Click to enlarge...

Simon Cowell calls it like he sees it.

And in his new American Idol judging partner, Cowell sees Kara DioGuardi as being talented, opinionated and cute. How can he not be excited to work with someone like that?

"It's like, you know, having dinner with three people for seven years, and getting quite bored of each other," he said. "So it's having a fourth person, new opinion, I think it's gonna be interesting."

The new judging team made its first public appearance yesterday, arriving in Mahattan for a series of season eight auditions. In a building at Chelsea Piers, Simon explained to reporters why Kara DioGuardi is a welcome addition to the show.

"Kara has a good reputation of A, having hits; and B, having an opinion. And that's a good combination. And she's cute."

Despite the popularity of last season's two finalists - seriously, people love David Archuleta and David Cook - American Idol producers knew they had to shake up the show a bit.

Ratings were in decline, complaints about staleness were prominent, Randy Jackson couldn't go two sentences without uttering the word "dawg." What was the show to do?

Hire Kara DioGuardi.

The decision to add the songwriter as a fourth judges has been met with questionable excitement from Paula Abdul and a series of raised eyebrows from fans. Chime in now with your opinion:

Does American Idol need Kara DioGuardi?

Paula Abdul is excited to work alongside Kara DioGuardi. Forget the concern she showed before.

"This is gonna be a good thing. I'm really thrilled," Abdul told Perez Hilton, likely at the urging of American Idol producers. "For me, I'm excited as can be. I think this time around, it's gonna work adding a new judge. A lot of surprises are in store that are gonna make it more exciting to watch the show."

Kara DioGuardi and Paula Abdul are like total BFF.

The crazy judge said she brought up the idea of adding DioGuardi to the panel a few years ago. She's known the songwriter since 1999.

"I've been talking about her for years," Abdul said. "I hope the audience gets excited and accepts it. Sometimes its been hard when we've had four judges in the past. They always wanted four judges since the beginning. It'll be good to have two girls, and two guys. Kara's like a sister to me."

The unveiling of the Dancing with the Stars cast and a fourth American Idol judge made this quite the banner day for TV news.

We had Kim Kardashian and the new Dancing cast pretty much pegged, but the latter - Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Kara DioGuardi joining American Idol when the musical competition returns this January - came out of left field.

We're certainly looking forward to seeing how this major shake-up plays out. Check out The Hollywood Gossip's bio for a little background on Kara DioGuardi - and click to enlarge some of the photos of this new star we posted below...

Simon, Randy, Paula... and Kara DioGuardi?!?

That's right, American Idol fans are in for a major shake-up next season, as the Grammy-nominated songwriter joins the judging table alongside stalwarts Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul.

"We are turning the heat up on Idol this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges' table," show creator Simon Fuller said in a statement, as he hyped the addition of a talent that has worked with artists such as Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus and Jessica Simpson.

The songwriter's work has also been used by past American Idol contestants, including Katharine McPhee, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice, and Clay Aiken.

Simon is honest, Randy is cool and Paula is moronic. What role will new American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi play on the show?

Love and babies are in the air for American Idol finalists from season two.

First, as previously reported, Clay Aiken lent his sperm to Jaymes Foster. They're gonna have a baby!

Now, we're excited to report that Ruben Studdard obtained a marriage license Monday in Alabama, setting the stage for his marriage to Surata Zuri McCants.

Said a witness who observed this couple fill out the paperwork: "They looked really happy."

A career in music hasn't gone well for Ruben Studdard; but he's found love with Surata Zuri McCants.

We've already heard from his fans. Now Clay Aiken's friends are sending support and best wishes after hearing that he's going to be a father with friend and music producer Jaymes Foster.

Foster has been artificially inseminated with Clay's boys.

"Congratulations, Clay!" says American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson. "I think he will be a good parent."

Actor Eric Roberts and wife Eliza says their close friend Foster - the sister of music producer David Foster - pulled them aside at her 50th birthday party in Los Angeles in March to tell them she is pregnant.

Albeit unconventionally, Clay Aiken got Jaymes Foster pregnant!

"This is a story of two people, who perhaps not that typical as parents - whatever typical is - or at a stage of life typical for parent, want to have a child to love and to experience parenthood," Roberts says.

"These people have the best foundation of all to share such an important task, which is a strong, abiding friendship."

Jaymes Foster, who has been friends with Aiken since they worked together on American Idol, is due in August, a rep for David Foster confirms.

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David Cook is a busy man.

The American Idol winner is working on his debut album, aiming for a fall release for what ought to be a well-selling rock CD.

"David Cook is an extraordinarily versatile and talented artist with an impressive sense of musicality," said Tom Corson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, RCA Music Group. "He is a natural performer and a true star. We are thrilled to welcome him into our family."

Cook won't be able to relax much as he records this album. He'll be on tour all summer with David Archuleta, Brooke White and company as part of the American Idol's Live extravaganza; it begins July 1.

Meanwhile, David took a break from all things business this week when he visited season seven performer Luke Menard in the hospital. Menard has been diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

"I love Luke and I just wanted to show up and make sure that he understood that I love him and know that if there's anything I can do for him and his wife, sign me up," Cook said.

No one on the planet can relate more to David Cook that last year's American Idol champion, Jordin Sparks.

After being in attendance at the show's finale and seeing Cook knock off David Archuleta for the title, Sparks offered the rocker one piece of important advice:

"Sleep as much as you can because you don't get any sleep. It's a year later and I still haven't gotten a whole eight hours of sleep yet … I'm still reeling from winning last year. But, I guess I would say just try and enjoy every moment you have.

David Cook and Jordin Sparks have a lot in common.