HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Ellen DeGeneres just landed a night job.
The 51-year-old daytime host has signed on as the fourth judge on "American Idol," where she'll take a seat alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, Fox announced Wednesday.
"I'm thrilled to be the new judge on 'American Idol,'" said DeGeneres. "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."
DeGeneres said she will continue to host her award-winning talk show as she moonlights.
"I'm going to have a day job and a night job," she said. "The times we're living in ... we're all doing that."
DeGeneres will be taking over for Paula Abdul, who announced her plans to leave the singing competition in August. She will officially join the show after the audition rounds, which will feature several guest judges, including Victoria Beckham, Shania Twain, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Joe Jonas.
"Idol" kicks off its ninth season in January.
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