Kara DioGuardi

One of DioGuardi's earliest public appearances was at the age of 12, and before a crowd of about one thousand people. She performed at the Columbus Citizens Foundation's Annual Gala Dinner at New York's famed, Waldorf Astoria hotel. Her audience included Sophia Loren and foreign dignitaries.

DioGuardi financially supports and takes a personal interest in Phoenix House, a non-profit substance abuse service organization for teens. Her donations have helped to build a recording studio for the disadvantaged teens of Los Angeles.

Simon Cowell is the only American Idol judge that Kara has not previously worked with.

Kara earned the TAXI award for Humanitarian of the Year in 2007.

As of 2008, there have been more than 260 of DioGuardi's songs released around the world by major music labels.

Kara's accomplishments have earned her 10 BMI Pop Music Awards including the 2007 Songwriter of the Year.

Kara wrote her first song when she was twenty-one.

Kara and Paula Abdul were roomates for six weeks when DioGuardi stayed at Abdul's Las Angeles home while they worked together.

Kara known for speaking her mind and states that her biggest concern over joining the panel of judges on American Idol will be "being aware of when to shut-up."

As of 2008, Kara has had 168 of her songs appear on multiplatinum albums.

DioGuardi co-wrote seven songs in Enrique Iglesias' album, Escape. The album went multiplatinum.

DioGuardi is the co-owner of ArtHouse Entertainment, a music production and publishing house.