Kara Dioguardi issued a statement confirming she’s no longer going to be a judge on ‘American Idol’, though it was widely reported the songwriter was given the boot rather than leave on her own. Kara said:

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. I am very proud to have been associated with American Idol – it has truly been an amazing experience … I look forward to my next challenge, and want to thank everyone who has supported me. All the best to everyone on Season 10!

Ellen DeGeneres issued a statement earlier today to announce she is exiting ‘American Idol’ after only one season, joining Simon Cowell who left the show last season to work on the American version of ‘The X Factor’. Ellen said:

A couple months ago, I let FOX and the “American Idol” producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me. I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next. It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings. I loved the experience working on “Idol” and I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be.

The ‘American Idol’ charity special ‘Idol Gives Back’ will welcome Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, The Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox and Jeff Beck as performers on this year’s event, airing Wednesday, April 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. Additional artists scheduled to perform and appear to be announced.

‘Idol Gives Back’ has made history by raising over $140 million for charity to date. This year’s special will help raise awareness and funds to benefit various U.S. and international charities, including Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children’s U.S. Programs and the United Nations Foundation. Viewers will again be able to make donations during and following the show. In addition, the week’s voting results will be revealed, sending one of the finalists home.

Didi Benami spoke with USA Today after being voted off Wednesday night’s ‘American Idol’, where the singer discussed that moment with Ryan Seacrest after her performance of ‘What Becomes of the Brokenhearted’. Asked about the ‘Idol’ host pressing her on why she was getting choked up singing the song, Diddi said, “I was trying to convey a message through the song, not through somebody asking me why I was singing it. It was an uncomfortable question.”

While Didi didn’t mention her name, she thought most people who watch the show probably knew she was singing about Rebecca Lear, Didi’s roommate at Nashville’s Belmont University, who died in a car wreck on her way home for Christmas break after their first semester there. Read more.

Update: Didi told EW.com about the incident:

It was tough, and it was uncomfortable Tuesday night. I think that I reacted in a way that I should have. I didn’t want to talk about it. Bottom line. I wanted to get it over with and go, you know? It was tough. It was hard and there was nothing I could do to change what he said. So, it sucked.