| Season nine of American Idol has been going strong | | | | written songs that have made an artist's career |
| since the first weeks of production. The judges have | | | | skyrocket to stardom, and her songs also appear in |
| narrowed down the thousands of contestants who | | | | movies, television shows, commercials, and all over |
| auditioned for a spot in Hollywood. The show is now | | | | the world. She has even written award winning songs |
| getting to the top twenty five performers. The | | | | for Idol winner Kelly Clarkson. You have probably |
| judges have narrowed down and deliberated about | | | | heard Kara's songs on the Internet radio, a movie, or |
| the best of the best to present to the audience | | | | a traditional radio station being sung by famous |
| these top singers. The audience votes on their | | | | singers. |
| favorite singer to try to get them passed to the | | | | A judge that everyone loves and who has also been |
| next round of competition. The judges are harsher in | | | | there since day one is Randy Jackson. He is also a |
| their evaluation and give critique and praise to | | | | powerhouse in the music industry. Like Simon, he has |
| contestant's performance of the night. The judges | | | | also been in the industry for twenty years. He not |
| can sway or influence how the audience will vote. | | | | only produces music, but he plays music as well. He |
| Here is a look at who the American Idol judges are | | | | toured with the band Journey and played bass guitar. |
| this season. | | | | He has been a vice president and major recording |
| Simon Cowell has been with American Idol since day | | | | labels and has toured, produced, and worked with |
| one. He is one of the most well known judges yet | | | | some of the best in the industry including Madonna. |
| he is liked the least because of his brutal honesty and | | | | He helps the contestants of American Idol become |
| temperament. However, the man knows what he is | | | | stars and his critiques are invaluable. He not only |
| doing and is a leader in the entertainment industry. He | | | | performs in the industry, but he has shaped and |
| produces music competition shows in both the U.S. | | | | produced some of the best performers and has |
| and the U.K. Simon has been in the industry for more | | | | contributed to albums that have sold millions |
| than twenty years and has worked as an executive | | | | worldwide. |
| at Sony Records. His ear for talent has made him a | | | | The newest judge who replaced Paula Abdul is Ellen |
| pioneer in the pop industry as he has shaped and | | | | DeGeneres. Unlike the other judges, Ellen isn't a |
| molded some of the top pop artists of our time. | | | | veteran in the music industry. However, she does |
| Kara DioGuardi is highly qualified to a judge on the | | | | know a thing or two about stage presence and |
| show. She is a seasoned veteran in the music | | | | performance because she is an actress, comedian, |
| industry and has her own personal success. She is a | | | | and the host of an award winning talk show. Her |
| songwriter that has produced hits for top recording | | | | critiques and perspective on the show offer some |
| artists all over the world. She is part owner of | | | | new light and a different perspective to the |
| Arthouse Entertainment, and it is a very successful | | | | contestants and audience. She is a star in her own |
| lucrative business. She is one of the highest | | | | right as she has been a leader in the entertainment |
| demanded songwriters in the industry. She has | | | | industry for acting. |
