Kara
DioGuardi was catapulted into the public eye when she became the “4thJudge” on American Idol back in 2009. If you were at all music industry
savvy then her name would have stood out to you in an instant with the plethora
of credentials she has earned from a lot of hard work and self belief;
songwriter, producer, singer, co-owner of Arthouse Entertainment, Senior VP of
Talent/A&R at Warner Bros LA. The list goes on. Unbeknown to
the general public and not publicised on Idol, Kara DioGuardi was the most
qualified at that judges table and it’s a shame she had to fight to prove
herself on the show. Still American Idol, despite being a pleasure and a
pain, has pushed her to new levels both personally and in her career and she
has found herself working on projects she would only have dreamed of in the
past.
Kara
has always had a voice and a passion for singing. It was clear she was
gifted, as a young child she would sing for her family around the dinner table
and at various functions. She enjoyed the singing but suffered terribly
with stage fright, something she has had to work hard to overcome through the
years and still does today. From her early career as an aspiring artist,
as a songwriter, as a woman in power in the industry, as a modern day
celebrity, Kara has constantly pushed herself to achieve and worked
relentlessly to reach her goals. This talented young woman truly deserves
all the success he has achieved and it sure hasn’t been an easy road but then
success tastes so much better when you know you’ve worked your ass off for it!
Her
latest success sees her branch out to the bright lights of Broadway! Kara
was born to perform! Listen to her singing at the age of eleven and
you’ll wonder why her name hasn’t shown up on a “Playbill” you own before
now!
29
years later, it’s hard to believe she’s 40 I know, Kara is taking Broadway by
storm in the lead role of “Roxie Hart” in the hit musical “Chicago.” Now
I’m fairly sure the press were waiting in the wings on her opening night,
poised to take a snipe at her all over again after their unnecessary and often
unsavoury reporting during her Idol years. But what could they
criticise? Absolutely nothing at all because Kara is simply sensational
up there on stage at the Ambassador Theater and to report otherwise would be a
sin! Watching her get her Roxie on you would never guess she wasn’t
theatre school trained. She performs like a seasoned pro! I’ve
seen a few actresses and celebrities take on the role of Roxie over the years
and Kara is by far the best I’ve seen. Now I’ve known the girl can sing
for years, her vocal is phenomenal but musical theatre singing is a different
style entirely. It’s a far cry from Kara’s comfort zone of soft lighting,
a stool and a guitar for back up where she can close her eyes and just
sing. In a musical theatre world you have to work so much harder on
delivery, annunciating every word whilst acting and keeping in character.
Kara does this 110% It’s crystal clear she’s worked hard on her vocal
delivery and the same can be said for her dancing skills. Kara’s not a
dancer but she’s put in the practice and it shows, she’s got some fancy
footwork going on and seems to really enjoy herself too! As for acting,
who needs training, she’s a natural! She stays in character from start to
end, living out the highs and lows of Roxie's tumultuous and highly emotional
rollercoaster of a life. She’s so believable and the audience will and
does relate to that hugely. It is possible to warm to a murderer! I
also like to see that she’s crafted her own personal traits in Roxie too,
adding a bit of DioGuardi feist and fun to the mix. Kara is naturally
expressive and has an inbuilt humility that can't be "created."
Her "The Gun" puppet court room scene is hilarious and can I just say
her "tiger" and "crushed butterfly" faces are priceless! :)
Kara
compliments the cast perfectly, especially vocally with Amra-Faye Wright, who
I've seen perform before on a couple of occasions in London. A Roxie with
a voice had become a rare thing but this Roxie sure has it all, Kara’s a triple
threat! Billy Flynn, currently being played by Tony Yazbeck, another
vocally strong presence, has incredible charm and comic timing which are
qualities only strengthened by Kara’s convincing performance. In fact the whole cast are strong on all
levels and are visibly tight throughout.
It’s clear to see that Kara has a deep admiration and respect for the
cast she works with and rightly so but you can bet your bottom dollar they have
total respect for her too. They recognise her talent and commitment and
this is the reason why the whole cast gel so well up on stage and it definitely
transcends to the audience! I went to the show on a couple of occasions
whilst in New York and on each night the audience were lapping it up! I’m
always nosey in the restrooms, listening out to what people are saying about
performers. It’s a form of immediate public feedback. The toilet goers had some very positive
comments about Kara, I’ll share a few that I can remember. “That Roxie
girl, she’s so awesome!” “The idol girl, she really can sing, who
knew!” “The girl playing Roxie Hart, she’s killing it up there!” And the
best one I heard, “Finally a celebrity that deserves to be on Broadway.
That Kara DioGuardi can sing, act and dance!” They took the words right
outta my mouth...so true! Let me tell you, the theatre goers love Kara,
some of them may not have known who she was but they sure do now. In my
opinion Kara deserves all the praise, she’s earned it and I for one feel
privileged to have seen her perform on Broadway. She should be very proud of herself right
now!
So
what are you waiting for, if you want be razzle dazzled then catch Kara DioGuardi
as foxy Roxie Hart in Chicago through October 30th !
Click on the below link to check out Kara's "Road to Broadway" on Youtube:
When I heard Kara Dioguardi was releasing a book, I was genuinely excited at the prospect of reading it. When she sent out pre-releases of the book to the media, there was immediately a deluge of press interest surrounding her revelations about her childhood molestations and her sexual harassment by industry insiders. And yeah, yeah of course American Idol is huge achievement for sure but out of all of the book’s likely content this wasn't what I was most intrigued about reading. Kara DioGuardi has long been on my radar, way before American Idol catapulted her quite literally into the public eye. I've always immersed myself in music and song, my soul seeks it to survive. I lose myself in moments and escape reality as it consumes me. There's the other side of me that dreams of being a writer and a singer, neither of which I am likely to become but I haven't switched the lights out completely. If it only ever serves to heal me as a passion then that's what its purpose shall be. I'm one of these people who still likes to buy hard copies of CDs with the inlays containing pictures, lyrics and songwriting credits. I came to discover that so many of songs I loved over the years were written or co-written by Kara DioGuardi. When I learned of her other achievements in the music industry I was instantly impressed and had so much admiration and respect for her. I'm only at the beginning of my quest in the industry and who knows if I will have the courage, strength, belief or commitment to progress but knowing that it's possible is extremely enlightening and encouraging.
Now I have to admit, I've never bought an audiobook in my life till now but as Amazon were not going to deliver my hard copy till after the double bank holiday here in the UK and the stores over here are not stocking the book till May 15th, I took a plunge and bought the audiobook. I fought with technology to get it to install on my laptop but in the end I came out of the experience victorious. Once synched and on my iPod, I grabbed a cup of tea, how very British of me, and sat on my bed with fluffed up pillows to start on the book. At this point I have to say it was 9.30pm and there was 6 hours, 6 minutes and 28 seconds of book ahead of me. It was never my intention to stay up overnight and read, well listen to, the entire 13 chapters in one shot but it compelled me to. Listening to Kara talk about her life so candidly was captivating and the topics she spoke of in detail were like blood to my veins. The thing is when you can relate and connect with something or somebody whether it be through song or through experience, it's hard to pull away. I felt like a junkie seeking a fix. So many things she talks about ring true with me, some directly relatable to my own personal and family life and others serving as a wealth of knowledge, a life lesson, an insight into a world I'm only just touching upon, the music industry. Like a kid at school in a lesson being taught by a teacher I had huge respect for, who was passionate about their subject, I absorbed Kara's words like a sponge. How could I switch off the audiobook, it sparked such a positive energy in me. It'd be rude to cut her off mid way through, especially as she narrates it herself. Yes Kara took time to read her own book for her audience and it only serves to enhance emotion and capture the true sense of her words. It also brings out her true sense of humour. Some of her phrases and references left me laughing out loud and talking, yes talking back to an audiobook. She's passionate about her life and her craft and this comes across to perfection in her reading.
Kara's hope for her book is that "quote / unquote"
"May you find your passion in life and make it your purpose. May you find the resolve to face your deepest fears and overcome them. And lastly may you have the courage to follow your dreams so that you will never know regret. On a lighter note when listening to this memoir I hope you laugh at times and are able to find humour in your own dark moments too."
Kara taps into the pieces of her life through her art, songwriting, and brings this memoir to life in a collection of songs that drew influence from her own life experience. Through these experiences the reader grows to know Kara through her incredible lows, her desperation, her suffering, her rejection, her failures but above all her perpetual drive, her inner passion, her tremendous strength and at times her exceptional bravery, her self belief and ultimately her natural intelligence and human approach. All of these qualities have influenced the person she is today and reflect her achievements in life. It wasn't easy reaching that "Helluva High Note!". This girl deserves all the success she has earned because she has earned every single ounce of it herself and she shall continue to do so as this is book does not mark the end in Kara DioGuardi's lifetime goal.
So what about the book and its content? Kara is brutally honest in this book, dotting every "i" and crossing every "t" that is relevant to her life. She delves into her family background. She loves her parents of course but notes they were not perfect and in some ways provoked some of her personal issues in life, stifled the creative person she was and forced beliefs and expectations on her that frustrated her made her rebel. Looping back she credits them for aspects of her life that carved her way to success. There were times in reading some of this story that I related to my own upbringing, it made me view the way I'd been thinking differently. My parents were quite conservative back when I was growing up and until now I considered them a factor in my stifled creativity. Upon delving into Kara's book I realised that they didn't hold me back, they just didn't encourage that creative flare in me, more an educational one. I was the one holding me back, my own insecurities plaguing me. It’s starkly clear on reading about Kara's eating disorder that the struggles I went through in adolescence both with my body and my confidence were in fact stemmed in my own inability to break out from the conditional and express myself creatively. Looking back I was happiest when I lost all inhibitions, singing with my hairbrush in front of the bedroom mirror. I wrote melodies and songs back then as I isolated myself in my room. They were probably rubbish and I've thrown them away since but one thing is for certain, Kara is right, "songwriting is the best therapy never paid for." Kara's book will offer the reader a chance to self examine and more than likely discover something about themselves they've either denied or blocked from memory. She has an inbuilt skill to connect with people and their feelings and this is more than probably one of the reasons she is so successful as a writer/co-collaborator. She can channel people in a positive way and delivers!
If you think this memoir is going to be all about songwriting then you couldn't be more wrong. Of course Kara's life is centred around being a songwriter but by no means does she make this book "how to make it as a songwriter." She provides and insightful, and at times shocking reality to the music industry. She paints it in its many colours both light and dark but all strikingly true. If you're planning a career in the music industry, as a songwriter, producer or other, you will learn a lot from Kara's experiences as an aspiring recording artist which unintentionally leads her to her ultimate career in songwriting. Whilst some of the stories she shares, stories of date rape and sexual harassment are frankly degrading and harbour a violent disgust in me for certain individuals, they are part of her life and have made her who she is today. The girl is one of bravest I know and has more strength than I imagine I could ever possess. I cried out for her whilst reading these stories but I understood by the end of her words that she didn't react, she didn't sue because she was afraid it would damage her career path. Her career was her stability, her craft kept her alive and she wasn't going to let sleazeball men destroy the part of her life she lived for! Kara was and still is a fighter!
She shares stories of her early career and the people who helped set her up in the industry. In the early days there was Larry Flick who had a belief in her that went beyond her own. He hooked her up with Paula Abdul and out of that connection came her first number one hit in the UK, "Spinning Around" cut by Kylie Minogue. Producers naturally played a big part in her career, Steve Morales, Tommy Mottola to name a couple. There are many life experiences she shares about this period in her growth as a songwriter. Other stories about working with artists in the studio are revealing, educational and hilarious. Enrique Iglesias played a huge role in her early writing career and she has some pretty funny anecdotes to share about her time working with him. "Escape" her first US number One hit was born from this partnership.
Her own personal relationships were core to her songwriting career too and many a hit song came out of a bad relationship experience, like "Walk Away" and "I Do Not Hook Up" both songs cut by Kelly Clarkson. Now that’s cashing it in, way to go girl! There are so many events in her life that are defined in song. "Pieces Of Me" sets her up to tell the story about letting pieces of her life not only transcend into songs but also connects with her struggle to let her songs, pieces of her life go. Until a point Kara only ever wanted to be a recording artist and couldn't quite grasp back then why her songs weren't good enough for her to sing yet they were deemed to be potential hits for other artists in the market. Now of course she is more than happy to let her "babies" fly. "Sober" co-written and cut by Pink addresses her dysfunctional behaviour and relates strongly with a time in her life when she was haunted with an eating disorder. "Ain't No Other Man" cut by Christina Aguilera steers her to talk about happier times in her life, about her now husband, Mike McCuddy, how their relationship came about and ultimately she then talks about her marriage to him and how she sang this song on their wedding day.
Of course she dedicates a whole chapter of the book to American Idol. It was one of the hardest personal challenges of her life, other than the death of her mother. If she hadn't been on the frontline throughout her mother's struggle in the fight against ovarian cancer then she admits Idol may have killed her but nothing could even come close to touching her after her mother's death. She gives a detailed insight into the show behind the scenes, how it wasn't all glitter and shine. That first year of Idol, Season 8 was a constant fight to fit in, to go against all she believed, to want in a way to be loved not just by the public but the panel too. She reveals that she felt like she was part of a game plan, that something didn't fit and tells of her daily struggles with the show on many levels. She speaks frankly about that "bikini" moment and the workings of the show. Season 8 when she was branded the “4th judge” was pretty harrowing on her in the press coverage and it must have been so hard for her to handle. It doesn't matter who you are, it still hurts. Kara is always honest and open and rather than being embarrassed she picked herself up, like she did back in her early days of rejection as an artist and came back packing a punch in Season 9. She began to find her groove and went on to get a lot of positive energy from the show that season. She credits American Idol with being her toughest challenge to date. And those thinking Kara was sacked from American Idol ahead of Season 10 couldn't be more wrong. You'll have to read the book for the truth but it'll surprise you!
Through songs and stories, all of which coming from a place of truth this book allows you a rare glimpse into the world of Kara DioGuardi, singer, songwriter, producer, publisher, A&R Executive, writer and most importantly human being! The book evoked a huge range of emotions in me. I laughed, I cried, I got angry, I felt her sorrow. I also felt her strength, her drive, her ambition, her hope, her celebration. From all of this knowledge, I derived an ever growing respect, admiration and inspiration for her. Kara has opened my eyes and awoken my spirit on many levels! Through reading her memoir not only have I discovered so much about her, I feel I've learned so much about myself too and boy do I still have so much to learn, to work for and discover both on a career and personal level! One thing is for sure my respect for Kara, that was already huge, has pardon the pun, hit one "Helluva High Note!"
In the words of Kara DioGuardi – “Life Is A Song, Sing It!”
She sure has and I hope she continues on her journey as a songwriter in the future!
Buy your copy of "A Helluva High Note: Surviving Life, Love and American Idol here:
Having reviewed the book I’d now like to share with you a piece of Kara through my own eyes.
It exposes her for the humble, kind and beautiful soul she is.
I was in New York last year and had the opportunity to go to one of Kara’s shows in Atlantic City. There I witnessed Kara DioGuardi the artist. She could have been a recording artist, that I don't doubt for one minute but I'm pleased she found happiness in songwriting and judging by the book, in life. "Happiness in all kinds of weather, for worse or for better" she'll have it anyway!
One of the most unplanned and random experiences of my life occurred on April 9th 2010. After her show “An Evening Of Songs And Stories” at the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City, Kara opened up a Q&A session. The girls I'd met at the concert who were sitting next to me took the mic and asked her if she would consider doing a meet and greet to which she responded, "maybe I could do something at the front of the stage after this."
Then the mic landed itself in my hands. I was a little dumbfounded and didn't have a question planned so shakily blurted out like a pleb, "Hey Kara, I'm from England."
The guy behind me whispered, "I bet she's Simon Cowell’s sister or something!"
Yes of course all us Brits are related to Simon you know! Kara seemed to be in a state of shock, though quite frankly I felt like I should have been. "Wow you've come all the way from England, we're definitely having a meet and greet now."
I had the jitters by now and started to ramble, "well I could come sit on the sofa on stage and you could sign something maybe?"
What was I thinking, my inner voice was saying shut up Lou, you sound like a babbling idiot!
"No," Kara said, "you, me, my room after the show. We'll have a sleepover!"
Erm OK I thought, "will Mitch Allan be there cos he's kinda hot." At least I internalised that thought but what actually came out of my mouth was even worse. "Oh by the way Kara, what you just did tonight, That Is Artistry!" Oh God did I just say that! She laughed, I sat back down and hid! So the Q&A ended and some people stayed back at the front of the stage to take part in the meet and greet. About ten minutes passed and the venue manager came out and was the bearer of bad news for the thirty odd people who were waiting.
"I'm sorry but Kara didn't realise the licensing rules so I'm afraid we can't keep you in here so there can't be a meet and greet."
There were sighs of disappointment. I had never expected to be in this position in the first place and to be quite honest how could I face her after my last embarrassing comment?
"Ah well,” I said to the girls I had met.
Then came, "but where's the girl from England?"
"I'm here." I replied.
"She still wants to see you." He smiled.
"Really?" I replied, taken aback. "Wow, I don't know what to say!"
I felt guilty that the girls I'd been talking to all evening didn't get asked so I jumped in and said "do you mind if these girls come with me?"
"Sure but just you four." He replied.
Cutting glares came from the rest of the people who were starting to leave. Not my fault I thought, don't feel bad.
We entered Kara's dressing room like mice and sat waiting for her to come through. Stephen Finfer introduced himself and then Kara arrived, bouncy and beaming.
"Hi guys! Who wants a drink?" She said reeling off our options. Everyone else had diet coke but I accepted red wine, after being asked if I was old enough. Thanks Stephen! She stood near me, a long glass in hand as she didn't have any wine glasses clean.
"That's fine I said,"smiling graciously.
As she poured I said, "just don't fill it to the top hey or I'll be dancing on tables!"
"You do that too!" She giggled.
This was so surreal but she was so humble and real, she soon calmed any nerves there were in the room. So I'd left a space between me and one of the other girls for her to sit down if she so chose to but no, Kara had other ideas. She slid down the chair arm onto my knee, squished herself down, throwing her arm around me and launching herself into conversation about...well me being from England of course. She chatted with everyone, I don't remember every detail but we talked about songs, about American Idol, Simon Cowell, her singing, concerts, hair, makeup, boots, shoes, all sorts. Everyone that came in the room she introduced to us, her friends she'd met on holiday, Mitch and her husband Mike. The words, "this is Lou from England" were batted around frequently. I was beginning to feel like I was the famous one. Her husband Mike was sweet, very calm and unassuming and I remember he spoke about his bee keeping that he’d just started. Some journalists came in to do some quick interviews. I got up to make space or leave her in private but was ushered back to the sofa. "No you sit down, you're my guests." Kara said as she sat cross legged on the floor to conduct her interviews. This was crazy! But that's Kara, humble to the core. She kept looking to us to chip in an opinion as she answered the questions, mainly American Idol based or along the lines of why didn't she become a singer to which there was a chorus of "here here," from all present. Before I knew it we'd been in there well over an hour. I think she enjoyed having company in the interviews. She made me feel so special that night. It was a totally random and unexpected encounter but sometimes those are the most memorable!
Back in England, the week after, I was watching American Idol, smiling with admiration at her as she sat at the judges table and shouting at my brother Simon. Who knew I was related! Haha. Kara DioGuardi had shown me genuine warmth and affection when I met her and I just hoped that the American public would stop being so critical of her on the show. She deserved their respect. As I watched the show, I opened my email and there was a message from Kara, thanking me for coming to her concert. Yes she'd taken email addresses that night when I met her but I didn't in a zillion years think she'd ever get in contact. She did because that's the kind of girl she is, true to her word.
I filmed a song that night in Atlantic City. If anyone is in any doubt about whether Kara can sing then here's all the proof you need. Here Kara sings "Terrified" with Mitch Allan on guitar. This song was cut by Katherine McPhee but in my opinion, the true feeling in the song is best conveyed by the person who wrote it. In this case Kara DioGuardi with Jason Reeves.
Enjoy!
For more information about Kara check out her official website www.karadioguardi.com
Pia Toscano has been a frontrunner on American Idol since her early audition rounds and quite rightly so. With soaring, pitch perfect vocals, she delivered killer, roof raising performances every week. With her stunning appearance, she took command of the stage and put her heart and soul in every note she sang, leaving the audience in awe. For the first time in a long time here was someone who captured my attention, left me with goose pimples and sent incontrollable shivers down my spine.
Pia Toscano, 22, from Howard Beach, New York, you are the only reason I was bothering to give American Idol time of day this season and let me tell you Sweet P, you went home too way too soon girl!
Was I gutted? Hell yes! This young woman has raw talent oozing out of her every pore, she’s sensational! Did this surprise me? Not at all and here’s why. Since last night’s elimination result, I’ve seen so many outraged comments online in response to articles and on Twitter where everyone is pointing the finger of blame and claiming that Pia was voted off. Let me set the record straight here, Pia was NOT voted off, that is not the point of the show. The truth is people didn’t call up to vote. That’s where the issue lies. As host Ryan Seacrest reiterated during the show, having just dished the shock result, "No one is EVER safe," he insisted. "You gotta vote for your fave." That’s exactly the problem, the American public didn’t see Pia as being in any danger of leaving the show and therefore didn’t pick up the phone and vote for her.
Of course voting for your “fave” counts, no denying that but in my opinion the judges are as much to blame for this Idol “travesty” as the Nation! This would never have happened under the reign of Simon Cowell. In past seasons the public have listened to the judges’ commentary and trusted their wisdom to guide them towards picking the correct Idol. Kara DioGuardi always offered constructive critisism and praise and pitched ideas of guidance to the contestants. Simon’s opinion was always honest, whether it be positive or bluntly negative and would heavily sway and manipulate the voting public, for all the right reasons. Without that structure and influence what do we have? Pia Gate! That’s what! Don’t look so flabbergasted JLo, close your mouth Randy and don’t act so surprised Steven, it’s your ridiculous judging that has led to this shambles of a sitiuation! Would Simon Cowell have allowed the save to be wasted on Casey? Not in a million years. So ultimately if the finger of blame is to be pointed anywhere it’s at you three jokers!
So here’s how it is Pia, don’t look at it as losing because you’re the real winner here. American Idol is the loser and the judges know it too. So take a moment to reflect and look at your time on the show as a launch pad and you are the rocket that’s launched but has yet to reach her highest height! I look forward to following you on that journey Pia Toscano and it’s sure to be one filled with success and joy for you and for all those who will have the pleasure of coming to one of your shows or buying one of your albums! So many more doors will open to you, only now you’ll be in a position to accept them and not be bound by the “Idol winners contract.” Don’t fret sweet Pia, the industry won’t “let the sun go down on you” and leave you “all by yourself!” I for one will “stand by you” because quite frankly you’re “River Deep, Mountains higher” than the rest!
Watch Pia shine here:
I'll Stand By You
River Deep, Mountain High
US Magazine.com reports that Pia has scored a record deal with Interscope 24 hours after her shock Idol departure! Congrats Pia! http://bit.ly/ijcwa6
