Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi (born December 9, 1970) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, and TV personality. She writes music primarily in the light pop-rock, dance, and R&B genres, and has worked with a host of successful artists, including many Grammy award winners, and is credited on over 120 album releases. She is also a judge on American Idol, having joined the show in its eighth season in 2009.