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New Judge Tangles With Bikini-Clad Idol

Eighth season starts with a splash—of skin

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 14, 2009 10:52 AM CST

(Newser) – The newest American Idol judge forgot it’s the contestants who do the singing, busting out her own vocal chops to upstage a bikini-clad hopeful on last night’s premiere, Access Hollywood reports. Idol made sure to point out new judge Kara DioGuardi has worked with such divas as Celine Dion, but her version of Mariah Carey’s “Vision of Love” led the contestant to retort, “Your demonstration wasn’t any better.”

Though both DioGuardi and Paula Abdul dubbed Katrina Darrell “terrible,” the swimsuit fan earned a trip to Hollywood from the male judges. But her Idol debut isn’t the only exciting thing on DioGuardi’s plate: The Grammy-nominated songwriter recently got engaged to Mike McCuddy, a teacher-turned-general-contractor, People reports.

[Images (4)]

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"American Idol" judges Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson arrive at a promotional event for the show in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, file)

Katrina Darrell, who auditioned for American Idol in Phoenix wearing a bikini, had an on-screen argument with new judge Kara DioGuardi. (AP Photo/Fox, Michael Becker)

Kara DioGuardi, the newest "American Idol" judge, celebrates being named Co-Songwriter of the Year during the 55th Annual BMI Pop Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Tuesday, May 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

Kara DioGuardi, a new judge on "American Idol," arrives at the FOX Winter All-Star Party in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

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Katrina Darrell auditions for American Idol. (Jman79856)

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New Judge Tangles With Bikini-Clad Idol