Interview: American Idol’s newest judge, Kara DioGuardi

The team at Gamesville is eagerly anticipating tonight, as FOX kicks off the eighth season of their hit reality show American Idol. Last week we had the pleasure of speaking with Simon Cowell and this week we sat down with the newest addition to the judges table, hit songwriter and record producer Kara DioGuardi. She joined us to answer a few questions about her role on the show and to talk a little bit about what we can expect this season.

Gamesville: So Kara, what do you bring to the judge’s table that American Idol did not have before?

Kara: Well, I think what is really unique about me is that I have worked with a lot of these singers that are out there, from Christina to Pink to Celine Dion.  I have been in the studio with them when they have recorded songs that we’ve co-written.  And I have worked very closely with them on how they interpret the songs we have written and giving them guidance and support. I think that distinguishes me.

How has your being part of the mix changed the dynamic of the judges table?

In the beginning it was a little unnerving.  I didn’t know where I was going to sit.  I didn’t know when I was going to speak.  So to shift some things around that have been only one way so many years has really added a new dynamic I think.

What kind of faux pas did you make because you’re the newbie and maybe didn’t know how things worked?

I think I would talk over people a lot because I did not really know when to talk.  When do I speak?  Who is speaking now?  Who is going now? I think that was my biggest faux pas to be honest. 

How do you think you’ll be seen or described by the audience after they get to know you?

I think they are going to see somebody who is pretty feisty and opinionated, but is also coming from a good place–I am really trying to help these contestants and impart my own experience to them so that at the end of the day whether they win or they lose they’ve learned something.

Who do you tend to agree with the most among the other three judges and who do you tend to disagree with most?

You know, there have been times that I’ve agreed and disagreed with all of them.  It’s hard to really say.  You have to take situation by situation and city by city, but I definitely can sometimes see where Simon is coming from.  I may not have said it quite the way he said it, but I also do believe in second chances early on and I know that if I hadn’t had a second chance a lot of times I wouldn’t be where I am today.  I definitely grew as an artist and as a songwriter and sometimes you see potential in people and you have to think past some of the maybe mistakes they made because they were nervous or whatever, so I do believe in second chances.

You mentioned in an earlier interview that the make contestants this year have the edge. Are any specific auditions that blew you away?

There are.  I’m not sure I can get into which contestant or their names at this point, but looking at all the contestants as a whole I felt that the males were the strongest.  There are also one or two females that I’m excited about as well. I’m really just waiting for the show to roll out and for the next phase to kind of see who is going to end up on top.

Are there any differences overall from what you’ve seen of last year’s contestants?

I would say that there is a uniqueness to some of the male contestants that’s different in terms of their voices and their song selections. I don’t know if I can share specifics yet, I think you will just have to tune in and see what happens.

The eight season of American Idol premiers on tonight and tomorrow evening on FOX.