DioGuardi to Judge for 'Idol' in 2010

It is a definite "yes" for Kara DioGuardi to return as a judge on the ninth season of "American Idol."

According to Reuters, the show's producers made the announcement on Monday, while the show's creator, Simon Fuller, said in a statement that she "is a breath of fresh air, and her passion for music and her understanding of talent is invaluable." DioGuardi made her debut last season as the fourth judge on the show next to Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.

MTV.com reports that Abdul has still not received a contract for next season and might not return to "Idol." She said on Twitter on Thursday that she is "trying to work out details of how I can return to 'Idol,'" but she also added what appeared to be a possible farewell: "Whatever happens with 'Idol,' I love you guys."

Before auditions begin for next season on Aug. 9 and the show returns to television in January 2010, DioGuardi has kept herself busy, CNN.com reports. She has written and produced songs for Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Jessie James, Theory of a Deadman and Tom Jones. She also received the 2009 Icon Award for personal achievement in songwriting by the National Music Publishers' Association.