The Celebrity Truth

Paula Abdul’s surprise replacement on American Idol has been made public, with news that comedian Ellen DeGeneres will assume judging duties. “I’m going to have a day job and a night job,” DeGeneres said at her talk show taping Wednesday. “This is so exciting for me!”The 51-year-old comedian and talk show host will begin her stint after the audition rounds, which have so far featured a rotating group of celebrity guest judges, including Shania Twain, Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Joe Jonas and Kristin Chenoweth.

Fox television said in a statement: “DeGeneres will sit alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi and offer her own unique perspective to the contestants throughout the competition.”

Abdul unexpectedly quit the show last month, just prior to the start of season nine.

DeGeneres will popping up on TVs everywhere, as she will perform her role on the judging panel while also hosting her daily talk show.

In the taping for Thursday’s Ellen DeGeneres Show, she revealed that the deal had been in negotiation for several weeks.

“I’ve been dying to tell everyone,” she said. “It’s just been so hard to keep it a secret and we just finally got the OK and I’m so excited. It is going to be so much fun.”

She added that she’s been a longtime fan of the show and has “not missed one episode”.

“Hopefully I’m the people’s point of view because I’m just like you. I sit at home and I watch it… I’m not looking at it in a critical way from the producer’s mind. I’m looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person,” she said.

Idol creator and executive producer Simon Fuller said, “Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel.”

The next season of American Idol begins January.

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Photo: Warner Bros Sheryl Neilds.

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