It’s confirmed! Joining Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell for the 9th season of American Idol is none other than talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

The 51-year-old comedienne and host will replace Paula Abdul. She admitted that she’s no music authority compared to Simon, Randy and Kara but she promised to be the people’s point of view among the judges since she’s an American Idol fan herself.

“I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol. I’ve watched since the beginning, and I’ve always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I’ll save from not having to text in my vote! 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.

Ellen had her first stint as a judge in the Fox reality competition So You Think You Can Dance last summer and her wisecracks made everyone laugh.

Ellen DeGeneres is American Idol’s New Judge originally appeared on Starmometer on September 10, 2009.