Kara DioGuardi left “American Idol” rather unceremoniously after only two seasons of judging the hit reality competition — so, how does she feel about the show’s new Season 10 judges?
“I think that [Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez] are both looking like they’re having a great time and they’re both really talented and they know what’s good and what’s not good,” Kara told Access Hollywood at the Bravo Upfronts in Los Angeles on Wednesday. “I’ve seen bits and pieces of [this season] and it really looks like they’re having fun, and it looks like there’s some good talent.
“I wouldn’t be here without ‘American Idol,’ so I have nothing but love for that show and it still keeps a lot of songwriters in business,” she added.
The 40–year-old songwriter, who has written hits for Pink, Britney Spears, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and more, also revealed she became a Steven Tyler fan after collaborating with the hilariously outspoken Aerosmith frontman.
“I personally spent a day with Steven,” she told Access. “We wrote a song called, ‘Loves Lives,’ and I was so struck by how humble he was and how just funny and warm [he was] and that’s coming across [on ‘Idol’].”
Kara is currently putting her vast music knowledge and critiquing skills to good use as the head judge on a new reality songwriting competition series, dubbed “Platinum Hit.” The show is similar to “American Idol,” in that songwriters will perform their hopeful hits for an audience, but unlike “Idol,” the contestants will not be judged on their actual vocal performance.
“’Platinum Hit’ is completely different from ‘American Idol’ or ‘X Factor’ because it’s about songwriters. It’s not about how they perform the songs, it’s about how they write the songs and if they’re writing great songs,” Kara told Access. “I have to tell you — there are some great songwriters out there who cannot sing, but their songs have still been cut and they’ve gone on to be on big artists because they were really good songs.”
Hosted by singer Jewel, the new series will feature guest judges, including OneRepublic songsmith Ryan Tedder and singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield.
“They give their experience and what they’ve gone through and what’s helped them to become great songwriters,” Kara told Access.
As for Simon Cowell’s new show, “The X Factor,” Kara revealed she’s “definitely” planning to give her former fellow “Idol” judge some ratings help.
“I will definitely tune in — I want to see Simon torture some more people,” she laughed.
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