of kara dioguardi departs 'american idol'

Songwriter Kara DioGuardi departs 'American Idol'


Kara DioGuardi performing on stage with Bikini Girl Katrina Darrell

Kara DioGuardi is following Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell out the door at "American Idol."

Her departure leaves Randy Jackson, who's been with the singing contest from the start, the last judge standing, for now. Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are the reported front-runners for the panel. Entertainment mogul Simon Fuller, creator of the British show "Pop Idol" that was the template for the U.S. series he produces, called DioGuardi a standout songwriter whom he planned to work with in music "for many years to come."

DioGuardi, whose exit had been rumored, is a hit machine whose songs have been recorded by Gwen Stefani, Faith Hill, Marc Anthony and others, including past "Idol" winners.

Kara DioGuardi stripping down for Allure magazine’s annual “nude event”