Kara DioGuardi confirms she is not returning to American Idol

Kara DioGuardi, a songwriter and judge for American Idol, has confirmed that she is leaving the show on Friday. DioGuardi joined the show two years ago.

While DioGuardi did not give a reason for her leaving the show it has been speculated that she was fired in the media. “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. I am very proud to have been associated with American Idol — it has truly been an amazing experience,” said DioGuardi in a press release. Executative Producer Simon Fuller said of DioGuardi's leaving that he will “miss having her on the show.” DioGuardi's departure leaves the show with only one confirmed judge, Randy Jackson. Simon Cowell left the show at the end of last season to work on the launch of an American version of The X Factor. Ellen DeGeneres, who had been brought in this year as a replacement for Paula Abdul quit this summer. It is rumoured that Steven Tyler could be taking an empty judge's seat this season. Producer Nigel Lythgoe says the next season of American Idol will “be bringing the spotlight back onto the talent and away from the judges.”