01:05 PM EDT 03/29/2012
Kara DioGuardi
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Kara DioGuardi Throws a Holiday Party in Maine
Originally posted 12/21/2011 10:00AM
From judging reality shows to writing hit songs, Kara DioGuardi's never had trouble hitting a high note. So, what are her tips for throwing equally on-key holiday parties?
"I keep the fires going, the wine flowing and try to spend time with everyone who comes to celebrate," DioGuardi tells PEOPLE.
This year, the former American Idol judge threw a joint party with her next-door neighbors in Maine, where, she says, "It's always a snowy, winter wonderland."
"Our houses were built by the same man in the early 1900's," DioGuardi says. "We thought it would be fun to reunite them in his honor, so appetizers were at [my neighbor's] house and dessert was at ours."
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Kara DioGuardi Kisses Her Dog – on the Mouth!
Originally posted 06/20/2011 04:30PM
Kara DioGuardi's dog, Tiki, doesn't have any musical instincts, but she does have her own way of getting Mom's attention.
"She is so cute when you first come in," DioGuardi tells PEOPLE Pets. "She kind of yells if you don't pay attention to her. 'Excuse me! Hello! I need constant kisses right now!'"
The Platinum Hit judge, who helped crown the winner of the Folgers Jingle Contest last week, adores her 7-year-old pooch – and she isn't afraid to show it.
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Kara DioGuardi Reveals Childhood Molestation
Originally posted 04/19/2011 11:40AM
Kara DioGuardi has hit some tremendous peaks in her celebrated career as a music-industry fixture, but as her new memoir A Helluva High Note reveals, she's endured more than her fair share of low notes, as well.
The former American Idol judge's book, to be published April 26, bravely sheds light on the multiple instances of sexual harassment and assault that have blighted her past. The painful experiences, says the songwriter and producer, started when she was only 11, when a family friend's son took advantage of her.
Recalling the first assault, DioGuardi, 40, whose new Bravo show Platinum Hit debuts May 30, writes in her memoir: "On one particular day, he took me into the back shed of his house and put his hands all over my breasts and vagina. I remember freezing and not knowing what to do."
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Kara DioGuardi to Judge New Song-Writing Show
Originally posted 10/26/2010 10:00AM
Less than two months after exiting American Idol, Kara DioGuardi is heading back to television as the head judge on Going Platinum, a new song-writing competition on Bravo, the network confirms.
"Hit songs are the backbone of the music industry, and as a publisher, nothing excites me more than finding new songwriting talent," DioGuardi says. "I am happy to be a part of a show that helps up and coming songwriters pursue their dreams, while giving the public a look into the creative process."
Jewel will host the show and help judge the competition, along with a music executive and celebrity guests. Going Platinum starts taping this month and will premiere in 2011.
Kara DioGuardi Gets Political – as Dad Runs for Office
Originally posted 03/26/2010 08:00AM
We know she can stand up to Simon Cowell, but how is Kara DioGuardi at kissing babies?
The American Idol judge – and professional songwriter – may soon be a senator's daughter. Her father, Joseph DioGuardi, is running for the office of U.S. Senator from New York, challenging Hillary Clinton's replacement, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Clinton left her position to become the Secretary of State under President Barack Obama.
Mr. DioGuardi was a two-term congressman from the suburbs north of New York City in the '80s, and the Idol judge recently spoke with PEOPLE about growing up with a dad in Congress, what she inherited from him and what kind of advice she can offer him on the campaign trail.
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Kara DioGuardi Says Bikini Stunt Changed Her Life
Originally posted 03/15/2010 07:00AM
We all have our defining moments, but few of us can say they happened when we sang on national television in a bikini. American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi is one of those few.
DioGuardi, 38, tells Women's Health that her stunt on last season's finale, when she stripped down to a two-piece bathing suit to belt out a duet with a contestant dubbed "Bikini Girl," was a pivotal point in her career. "It probably saved my job," she says. "It was a defining moment. Like, 'She's serious and industry, but also as kooky as everyone else on this panel.' "
It wasn't easy to get DioGuardi to do her little swimsuit act in the first place.
"I kept saying no," she says in the magazine's April issue. "I mean, what crazy nut is gonna go out there in a bikini at almost 40 years of age against a girl who is 20 and probably cosmetically enhanced? I looked a little pasty. But hey, at least I didn't wet myself!"
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A Galaxy of Stars Light Up Pre-Grammy Gala
Originally posted 01/31/2010 12:45PM
No one can bring out the stars quite like Clive Davis! The music mogul's Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons (this year honoring Universal Music Group Chairman and CEO Doug Morris) is an annual tradition and one of the biggest parties of the year. And with a bevy of stars – including Jay-Z, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Russell Brand, Taylor Swift, Ne-Yo, Sheryl Crow, Adam Lambert and Barbra Streisand – in attendance, Saturday night's bash at the Beverly Hilton Hotel was no exception.
"It's one of those parties that you have to come to," Ciara, in head-to-toe Givenchy, told PEOPLE on her way in. "I'm excited to see everybody! It's cool to see people that you know, people that you don't know. It's always great to see Clive, and I'm just looking forward to having a great time."
Fergie, in a Zuhair Murad party dress, breezed down the red carpet in a hurry, stopping only to have a happy chat with Nick Jonas. But the singer had a good reason to rush: The Black Eyed Peas opened the show with Slash singing the classic Guns n' Rose's tune "Sweet Child O' Mine."
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Kara DioGuardi on Heidi Montag: I Want to Give Her a Hug
Originally posted 01/20/2010 11:30AM
Kara DioGuardi is not giving Heidi Montag's decision to have 10 cosmetic surgeries in one day high marks – but mostly she feels sad for the reality star.
"First of all, I just want to give the girl a hug," the American Idol judge said on The Bonnie Hunt Show Wednesday. "I don't know what's going on."
DioGuardi, who is used to advising young people with dreams of stardom, says the Hills star was doing just fine before she went under the knife.
"The thing is, you are in the peak of your career right now and you think you need to change," says DioGuardi. "Imagine when the tides turn and you don't have everyone in your face, then you are really going to be like, 'What is wrong with me?' "
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Kara DioGuardi Thinks It's 'Genius' to Add Ellen
Originally posted 09/21/2009 09:05AM
Ellen DeGeneres already has her first fan as an American Idol judge – Kara DioGuardi.
"I think it's a genius decision," DioGuardi, the judge who joined the top-rated FOX show last season, said at the Entertainment Tonight/PEOPLE Emmy after-party. "I wish I had thought of it."
Mostly, DioGuardi said she's looking forward to the new dynamic on the show now that DeGeneres is replacing the recently departed Paula Abdul as the show's "nice" judge.
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American Idol Judge Kara DioGuardi Weds in Maine
Originally posted 07/06/2009 03:30PM
When American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi spoke to PEOPLE for the Most Beautiful People issue in May, she admitted that her fiancé, Mike McCuddy, loves her sans makeup. "He's from Maine," she explained. "He likes that earthy girl, just-out-of-the-shower look."
It was fitting then, that DioGuardi, 38, looked radiant on July 5 in Prospect Maine, at her wedding to McCuddy, 34, a general contractor.
"They were married at the Prospect Harbor United Methodist Church,” confirms a rep for DioGuardi, who added that the bride wore a Vera Wang dress.
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