Kara DioGuardi will not be back for "American Idol's" tenth season, FOX confirmed Friday.
After a two-season run behind the judges' table, followed by months of rumors, Kara announced her departure from the show on Friday night, just after 5 PM.
"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,'" Kara said in a statement to Access Hollywood. "I am very proud to have been associated with 'American Idol' - it has truly been an amazing experience. I am grateful to FOX, FremantleMedia 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!"
Just last month, a source close to Kara told Access that the artist and record company executive tried to quit "Idol" two months ago, but as of August 24, she hadn't received any word from FOX or Fremantle regarding her future on the show.
In July, however, Kara seemed excited about "Idol's" Season 10, the show's first without Simon Cowell.
"I'm not getting butterflies as much as I was, but I'm sure there are thousands of kids who are getting them and I'm ready to find new talent and great talent," she told Access Hollywood at the time. "I love to do that. I do that all year long whether it's in my job at Warner Bros. or 'American Idol.' It's exciting. It's exciting to hear somebody that's really talented that's never gotten that shot."
Just weeks later, several reports surfaced that Kara had been let go from the show, which began a flurry of rumors regarding a number of celebrity names being bandied about for the judging panel. Steve Tyler of Aerosmith has since joined the fold, and, according to reports, Jennifer Lopez is still in the running to sit at the judges' table. No official statement about new judges has yet been made by FOX.
As for Kara's departure, "Idol" creator and executive producer Simon Fuller has said that he'll miss her.
"Kara is one of the world's best songwriters," Simon said in a statement to Access. "She has been passionate and committed to IDOL over the last two seasons. I will miss having her on the show, but I look forward to working with her in music for many years to come."