Kara DioGuardi on E! True Hollywood Story

MANILA, Philippines - People may know Kara DioGuardi (photo) as an American Idol judge trading barbs with Simon Cowell, but what they’re not aware of is the fact that Kara is also one of today’s most sought-after songwriters. After all, Kara penned some of the chart-topping songs for accomplished artists such as Pink, Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera. However, Kara’s remarkable rise to the top hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park. Watch as E! reveals Kara’s dark secrets as told by her, her husband, brother and professional music colleagues and artists in E! True Hollywood Story: Kara DioGuardi on Dec. 17 at 7:40 p.m.

The world met Kara without realizing she had already been in their homes, on their iPods and their radios for years. Talking about her American Idol experience, Kara admits she never imagined she’d actually land the job. “I must have done something right because the next thing I knew, I was on a plane to meet Simon Cowell in England,” says Kara, whose relationship with the notoriously critical Simon was like a roller coaster ride. “With Simon, one day he’d love her and the next day he’d hate her. But that always added to the chemistry of it,” says American Idol executive producer Ken Warwick.

Kara did find a friend in Paula Abdul. “It was the kind of friendship that comes on really quickly. She was getting divorced, trying to find her groove while I was also reeling from losing my mother to cancer. She invited me to L.A. to stay at her house and I remember walking in there and being like, ‘Oh my God, this is where a celebrity lives,’” says Kara.

E! is available to SkyCable Gold and Silver digital subscribers on Channel 57.