07:19 PM EDT 04/13/2013

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Kara DioGuardi

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PHOTO: Meet Kara DioGuardi's Son Greyson | Kara DioGuardi

PHOTO: Meet Kara DioGuardi's Son Greyson

Originally posted 02/15/2013 09:00AM

The songwriter and her husband drove from California to Maine to bring their baby boy home from the hospital

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Kara DioGuardi Welcomes a Son

Kara DioGuardi Welcomes a Son

Originally posted 01/31/2013 08:00PM

The songwriter welcomed son Greyson James on Thursday afternoon via gestational surrogate, her rep tells PEOPLE exclusively

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Baby Boy on the Way for Kara DioGuardi

Baby Boy on the Way for Kara DioGuardi

Originally posted 01/16/2013 08:15PM

The songwriter and former Idol judge and husband Mike McCuddy will welcome a son via gestational surrogate

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PHOTO: Inside Kara DioGuardi's Wintry Holiday Party | Kara DioGuardi

Celebrity Diners Club

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! | Kara DioGuardi

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 | Kara DioGuardi

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 | Kara DioGuardi

TV News

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.

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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

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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Filed Under: TV News, Kara DioGuardi
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A Galaxy of Stars Light Up Pre-Grammy Gala

Grammy Awards 2010

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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