KARA DIOGUARDI REVEALS HER TROUBLED PAST

Life wasn't always so successful for music business royal Kara DioGuardi. It seems nowadays that behind every success story is a troubled past, and Kara is one of them. With her new memoir coming out April 26 A Helluva High Note, she reveals that she was molested as a child and date raped...

At the early age of 11, Kara recalls being molested repeatedly by a family friend's son who was in his late teens. "On one particular day, he took me into the back shed of his house and put his hands all over my breasts and vagina. I remember freezing and not knowing what to do," she said.

In 2000 just as her career started to bloom, a popular producer date raped her after a "friendly dinner." She reveals, "[W]ithin a few hours, he was on top of me, pumping, sweating, and speaking to me in Spanish, not a word of which I could understand." After telling him to stop continuously, she held back from fighting him since he might turn violent on her; she also didn't want to ruin her career by telling anyone.

Then a few years after that incident, she was sexually harassed by a "successful artist" amid a three day songwriting trip. But Kara found her and the man "...watching Russian porn, scavenging around the kitchen for food [and] leering at two strippers...as they performed sex acts in the living room." She continued working with the artist because she didn't want this getting in the way with her job and talent. Her work with him officially ended when he chased her in the basement of his home and forced her hands on his privates.

It's difficult to hear the rough past many successful people, especially women had to go through to get to the top of their careers. Kara DioGuardi is an example of a strong woman who has never stopped doing what she was passionate for, despite being taken advantage of by her male counterparts. Though it took her awhile to admit to her abuse, the important thing is that she did it now. Using her fame in the music industry can help spread awareness and a common ground to those going through the same difficulties in their lives. Catch Kara DioGuardi's new show Platinum Hit premiering on Bravo May 30.




You Just Do You, Imma Do Me

American Idol': Where are they now

Where are they now?

Catch up with Clay Aiken (remember the Claymates?) & other 'American Idol' faves.

"American Idol" is gearing up for its 10th season with some new faces at the judges' table. So we're taking a stroll down memory lane to find out what past favorites are up to these days.

Crystal Bowersox

Season: 9

She was dealing with a breakup during the "Idol" finale but the single mom bounced back with a new man and a new album.

 Lee DeWyze

Season: 9

The former paint salesman released his first post-"Idol" album, but it's not selling as well as another "Idol" CD. 

Simon Cowell

Seasons: 1-9

The "mean" judge with a penchant for showing his chest surprised a lot of people when he announced he would be leaving the show. 

Kara DioGuardi

Seasons: 8-9

The hit songwriter was the fourth judge for two seasons before she jumped ship last year.

 Jason Castro

Season: 7

The dreadlocked guitarist from small-town Texas has changed his relationship status since his time on the show.  

David Archuleta

Season: 7
 The teen pop singer appeared on "Star Search before his "Idol" stint and released his first album in 2008. 

Allison Iraheta

Season: 8
 The teenage redhead (check out her rockin' style), who had a previous brush with fame, released her debut album in 2009 before going on tour with a fellow "Idol" alum.  

Kelly Clarkson

Season: 1
 The Texas native has produced lots of hits . Her weight and fashion choices have become tabloid fodder. 

Ruben Studdard

Season: 2
 The "Velvet Teddy Bear" left the spotlight for a few years and married Surata Zuri McCants in 2008.His greatest post-"Idol" success has been as part of a troupe.  

Fantasia Barrino

Season: 3

 She has starred in a reality show, a TV movie and a Broadway play since appearing on "Idol," but the singer has also seen her share of troubles, including her father's lawsuit and a suicide attempt. 

Carrie Underwood 

Season: 4
 After "Idol," she received this honor, dated a Cowboy and a "Gossip" star but married someone else. Before her "Idol" audition, she had never done something most of us don't blink at. 

Taylor Hicks

Season: 5
 The prematurely gray singer, whose fans had a soulful nickname, was named People's Most Eligible Bachelor, although later there were setbacks. He moved on to this role on Broadway. 

Jordin Sparks

Season: 6
 The daughter of a pro football player toured with this hot band and defended them when she thought they were dissed. She later toured with another famous singer. 

David Cook

Season: 7
 Cook battled a terrible personal challenge during the show and after. He became tabloid fodder when he dated one of the show's Season 2 contestants. Some say he owes his success to this particular fan base.  

Kris Allen

Season: 8
 Despite almost missing his shot at stardom, the married Allen has been performing on the road and TV ever since his "Idol" days. His self-titled album reached No. 11 but later met this fate. Clay Aiken

Season: 2
 His loyal fans made his debut album a hit. Aiken made a not-so-surprising pronouncement and has become a daddy. Before that, he spent a stint on Broadway. 

Jennifer Hudson

Season: 3
 She went on to win a Grammy and took home this gold trophy for her role in "Dreamgirls." Since then, a horrible crime devastated her family, but joy returned to her life with this event. 

Adam Lambert

Season: 8
 The flamboyant singer  made this pronouncement and admitted to something else. His risqué performance at the American Music Awards caused ABC to cancel some appearances. 

Chris Daughtry

Season: 5
 Daughtry, who had a very different career prior to "Idol," has gone on to smashing success. His cover of a Lady Gaga song got more than a million views, and he has made recent additions to his family.  

Paula Abdul

Seasons: 1-8
 The "nice" judge didn't come back for the ninth season.She's gotten publicity in recent years for some strange things but hosted this glittery event and sells these bits of bling. 

Sanjaya Malakar

Season: 6
 A crying girl became the symbol of why he lingered.He's oddly popular in another country and showed up on a reality TV show.  

William Hung

Season: 3
 The civil engineering student uttered a memorable line in response to Simon Cowell's criticism. Hung ended up recording several albums, appeared in a foreign flick and starred in a documentary about his life. 

Elliott Yamin

Season: 5
 The former pharmacy worker signed a deal with Sony and released his self-titled album in 2007. He released his second album, "Fight for Love," in 2009. 

Bo Bice

Season: 4
 The longhaired singer got his nickname when his grandmother decided he had a famous actor's eyes. Bice released his debut album and got married in 2005. They recently had their third son. 

Kellie Pickler

Season: 5
 Pickler's quirky personality won over "Idol" audiences, and her debut album went gold. She co-wrote a song with a teen country sensation on her self-titled second album. In 2009, she became a celebrity spokeswoman. 

LaToya London

The R&B singer's first gig, at the age of 7, was singing at her mother's wedding reception. She released her debut album in 2005 and toured with "The Color Purple."  

Syesha Mercado

Season: 7
 Mercado, who won a Florida singing competition before her stint on "Idol," landed the lead role in the national tour of "Dreamgirls. 

Blake Lewis

Season: 6
 The beat-boxing singer saw his major-label debut peak at on No. 10 on the Billboard 200. His second album was released in 2009.