Kara DioGuardi Departs 'American Idol'

Is Randy Jackson the only one left? After weeks of speculation, it was finally announced Friday that American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, 30, will not be returning to the show after two years on the panel. DioGuardi follows Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell, who both quit the show earlier this year. Cowell will move on to launch an American version of the popular UK show The X-Factor.

Although Fox and DioGuardi have now officially confirmed her employment status, it still remains unclear whether or not DioGuardi chose to left or if she was asked to leave by the show. According to her father, Republican senate candidate Joe DioGuardi, who spoke on the NY TV show Capital Tonight, his daughter first heard the news in the paper. "She read it the way you did and I did. Her disappointment is that that’s the way she’s being treated and she feels that’s not proper," he said.

However, DioGuardi’s statement offered a more positive take on the issue. "I felt like I won the lottery when I joined American Idol two years ago, but I feel like now is the best time to leave Idol," she said. Idol creator Simon Fuller added, “I will miss having her on the show, but I look forward to working with her in music for many years to come.”

DioGuardi, a successful songwriter and producer before Idol, had only kind words for the show she is leaving behind, saying, "I am grateful to Fox, Fremantle Media and 19 Entertainment, as well as the cast, crew and contestants, for all they have given to me. I look forward to my next challenge, and want to thank everyone who has supported me. All the best to everyone on season 10!" It is strongly rumored that diva Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler are in the running to fill these empty spots on the judge’s panel. —AMY LEE