Kara DioGuardi Opens Up About Eating Disorder

Us Magazine - April 22, 2009 1:36 PM PDT
Story photo: Kara DioGuardi Opens Up About Eating DisorderKara DioGuardi at Sylvain Bitton and JT Torregiani's birthday Celebration at Les Deux on April 21, 2009 in Hollywood, California.Us Magazine
Kara DioGuardi was treated for an eating disorder, she admits in a new revealing interview.

"I've never spoken about this. I had kind of a binge eating disorder where, instead of dealing with my emotions, I would stuff them down with food," the American Idol judge tells Extra.

See photos of scary skinny stars.

"I never threw up or starved myself," continues DioGuardi. "It was an eating disorder. I actually went into a treatment center for it...I would get up and eat in the middle of the night."

DioGuardi blames her food problems on insecurity while growing up.

See Us' weight winners of the year.

"I really was a creative kid who didn't know she was creative and didn't have those outlets because I was always afraid to join the theater group and not perform," she says.

After she moved out to L.A. to become a songwriter, she became healthier.

"The moment I started doing music, the moment I did what I loved to do in my life and committed to it, I didn't have those problems anymore," she says. "I have my outlet. I have that form of expression. I can go to the studio and talk about my feelings."

See Idol's weight ups and downs.

But she still has moments of self doubt on Idol.

"I had this craziness in my head that I had to be perfect all the time and I face it now on Idol 25 years later," she admits. "It's kind of like, 'Oh god, why did I say that? Why did I do this?' But I made this commitment in my life to face my fears and if I am afraid of something, I make sure I do it."

DioGuardi built a studio at an L.A.-area treatment center, Phoenix House, where she now works with kids to help them find confidence. "It's real therapeutic," she says.

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comments 1-10 of 23  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • stratoblu
    Oh, you bet!! Of all the horrible problems in the world, this one is right at the top of my list..... Can't believe I'm even reading this CRAP--Shame on me (and the rest of you who respond to this!!)
    report abuseposted April 24, 2009 3:52 PM PDT
  • funketybucket
    Good for Her!
    report abuseposted April 24, 2009 3:04 PM PDT
  • billL
    Thanks for sharing I think that will inspire many people. In not only identifying the problem but also the solution. You've been racheted up a few in my book girl. Thanks for being "real."
    report abuseposted April 24, 2009 2:47 PM PDT
  • Jody B
    this is a new time
    report abuseposted April 24, 2009 2:33 PM PDT
  • LynnH
    Thanks Kara for sharing your story. I had the same eating disorder as you. I was too embarrassed to tell anyone about it. But, now I know I'm not alone.
    report abuseposted April 24, 2009 1:25 PM PDT
  • Jared B
    1st
    report abuseposted April 24, 2009 11:14 AM PDT
  • Thyda Bun
    You suck!
    report abuseposted April 24, 2009 8:49 AM PDT
  • beester
    Way to go with helping kids with there confidence....Now I'm starting to see her differently.
    report abuseposted April 24, 2009 7:25 AM PDT
  • Frog
    Kara, Is this your plea to stay on American Idol? Sorry but everything that Randy says you repeat it with a different twist. What's up with that!
    report abuseposted April 24, 2009 6:40 AM PDT
  • Roxy
    This article speaks volumes about this woman's character and perserverance. I admire her for her accomlishments but I respect her for being open, genuine and "real."
    report abuseposted April 24, 2009 5:18 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 23  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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