DioGuardi 'Hurt' by Abdul Remarks

Kara DioGuardi, the newly-minted American Idol panel judge, has admitted that she felt "hurt" by Paula Abdul's remarks that having a fourth judge ruined the format of the program.

The songwriter joined Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell on the panel in January for season eight of the hit reality show. But talks of a feud between her and Abdul have been rife ever since.  

Abdul had previously shot down the reports, saying that they are longtime pals. However, of late, she admitted that having four judges on the panel "slowed down" things, stating, "Kara and I have known each other for years and we get along great. But we tried four judges before and it doesn't work."

Abdul immediately retracted her remarks, stating that she was making a reference to a former judge, Angie Martinez, the Hot 97 disc jockey who joined the program before the second season but quit before the season started.

Abdul added that having another person upsets the flow of the show. "It takes up so much time for each of us to give our opinion that it slows down the pace of the show," she says.

Despite Abdul's explanation, DioGuardi said she felt "let down" by her co-judge. "Paula has a right to her opinions, but I was disappointed by her comments, and hurt that she did not address them to me in person. I am proud of my contributions to the show, and remain excited about the rest of the season."

Meanwhile, Abdul hints at the possibility that she may not continue to be a judge at the popular show, saying, "It is the last season of my contract, and I have so many other things I want to do."

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