Biography for
Kara DioGuardi More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

9 December 1970, Scarsdale, New York, USA

Birth Name

Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi

Mini Biography

Kara DioGuardi was introduced to America on seasons 8 and 9 of the hit FOX show, "American Idol" and recently was featured as the head judge on Bravo's songwriting reality show competition, "Platinum Hit." Additionally, this fall, Kara is making her Broadway stage debut as merry murderess Roxie Hart in the Tony Award-winning hit musical CHICAGO.

As one of the most successful contemporary songwriters and music executives in the world, Kara's songs have appeared on more than 159 million albums, she's had 314 songs released by major labels, and enjoyed over 50 charting singles and 150 songs on platinum selling albums. Her credits include successes and collaborations with artists such as Pink, Katy Perry, Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Carrie Underwood, Enrique Iglesias, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Faith Hill, Santana and many more.

Kara is also an established record producer, record executive, music publisher and author. As Executive Vice President at Warner Brothers Records, Kara has signed artists like Jason Derulo and Iyaz. Her publishing company, Arthouse Entertainment, boasts hits from Bruno Mars, Carrie Underwood, Cee-Lo Green, Eminem, B.O.B., Travie McCoy, Flo Rida, Whitney Houston and Sean Kingston. This April, she released her self-penned HarperCollins book "A Helluva High Note: Surviving Life, Love and American Idol." Kara is an active supporter of, and builds recording studios at Phoenix House, one of the nation's leading non-profits dedicated to leading individuals, families and communities affected by addiction from disrupted to productive lives.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Arthouse Entertainment

Spouse

Mike McCuddy

(5 July 2009 - present)

Trivia

Co-wrote the Céline Dion hits "Right In Front Of You" and "Sorry For Love".

Co-wrote, with Paula Abdul, the Kylie Minogue UK #1 chart topper "Spinning Around".

Co-wrote and sang back-up on Enrique Iglesias's hit single "Escape".

[1999-2001] Was half of the independent pop/rock duo "MaD DoLL". Kara's and her then-band-mate 'Jon Wolfson''s one-and-only album can still be found at mp3.com to this day.

[2001] Briefly recorded under the name Simply Kara and released one album entitled "Poe" to mp3.com

Sang back-up on Céline Dion's song, "Reveal".

Co-wrote and sang back-up on the Céline Dion song, "One Heart".

Co-wrote many Kelly Clarkson songs on her "Breakaway" album.

Cousin of Regis Philbin.

Convinced by Paula Abdul to move to Los Angeles from New York City to write songs. Stayed with Paula at the beginning. Was said to be a sleepwalker.

Is of Italian and Albanian descent.

Last name is pronounced "Dee-oh-Gwar-dee".

Last name "Dioguardi" means "may God watch" in Italian.

Co-wrote, with Adam Lambert, the track "Strut" on Adam's debut album, "For Your Entertainment".

Daughter of former Rep. Joe DioGuardi, who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2010.

Had an eating disorder in college.

Graduated from Duke University with a degree in political science.

Serves as Executive Vice-President of Talent Development, Office of the Chairman for Warner Bros. Records, where she was appointed in 2008.

Her mother, Carol, died in 1997 after a 7-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Has a brother, John DioGuardi, who is a counselor at the Phoenix House, a national non-profit drug treatment organization.

Had stage fright when she was 10 or 12.