Kara DioGuardi

Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi is an American songwriter, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, and singer. She primarily writes pop rock music and has written songs appearing on albums with sales exceeding 160 million worldwide. Recognized for her songwriting, she won the 2007 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year award, the 2009 NMPA Songwriter Icon Award, and the 2011 NAMM Music for Life Award, in addition to receiving 20 BMI Awards for co-writing songs.

DioGuardi was born on December 9, 1970, in Ossining, New York, to Joe DioGuardi, a former Republican Congressman, and Carol DioGuardi, who passed away in 1997. She was raised in New Rochelle, New York, and attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School, The Masters School, and Duke University, where she earned a degree in political science. Following college, she worked at Billboard magazine as an assistant to Timothy White and Howard Lander, and later as an advertising sales representative.

Her professional songwriting catalog includes over 320 songs released by major labels, with 150 landing on RIAA Platinum albums and more than 50 becoming charting singles. Her compositions helped propel over 66 albums into the top 10 of the Billboard 200. She co-wrote songs for Ashlee Simpson's early albums, Thalía's self-titled release, Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway album, and Ricki-Lee Coulter's single Sunshine. In 2006, she co-wrote twelve tracks on disc one of Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics, as well as songs for Jesse McCartney. She also contributed songs for Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Celine Dion, Pink, Meat Loaf, Natalie Imbruglia, Cobra Starship, and Melanie Martinez.

DioGuardi's music has been featured in major motion pictures, television shows, film soundtracks, and commercial campaigns. She composed tracks for productions such as Camp Rock, Hannah Montana, One Tree Hill, Jonas, and Raise Your Voice, and her songs served as themes for shows like Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County. In 2008, she co-wrote Not Meant to Be with Theory of a Deadman's lead singer Tyler Connolly, marking her debut in the music video industry when she appeared as the love interest.

Beyond songwriting, DioGuardi served as executive vice president of talent development at Warner Bros. Records in 2008, signing acts such as Jason Derulo and Iyaz. She also co-owns Arthouse Entertainment, a music publishing company that has contributed to hits for Bruno Mars, Cee-Lo Green, Flo Rida, Demi Lovato, Eminem, Zedd, Maroon 5, Halsey, and Gayle.

DioGuardi made her television debut as a judge on ABC's The One: Making a Music Star in 2006. In 2009, she joined Fox's American Idol as a judge for its eighth and ninth seasons. She co-wrote the season eight coronation single No Boundaries and worked with various contestants and alumni. Following her departure from American Idol in 2010, she served as head judge on Bravo's competition series Platinum Hit and appeared as herself on Hannah Montana, The Simpsons, and Sesame Street.

In late 2011, DioGuardi made her Broadway debut portraying Roxie Hart in Chicago. She authored the autobiography A Helluva High Note: Surviving Life, Love and American Idol. Starting in 2012, she began teaching a semester course titled Hitmaking with Kara DioGuardi at Berklee College of Music in Boston. In late 2017, she assisted in launching Maine's first effort for the Enough Abuse Campaign to prevent child sexual abuse.