Ellen Degeneres on American Idol

Better:

Audra: For the new judge in town America, Ellen Degeneres is transforming
herself form viewer at home to a voice on the American Idol panel.
Rhiannon has got the latest on the stars Idol gig.

[Photo Shoot American Idol Judges]

Rhiannon: Here’s a fresh look at American Idol’s new fab 5 featuring rookie Judge
Ellen Degeneres who says it’s not as easy as it looks.

Ellen: It was great, it was you know like I said it was kind of a surprise that I had
to like go, oh I’m not just at home looking at these people and having
judgments. I’m actually having to say things to their face so that was hard,
that’s really been consistently the hardest part about this.

Rhiannon: That and dealing with Chief Justice Simon Cowell.

Ellen: I had one idea of Simon when I came in and it has changed. He’s actually
meaner than I thought. It’s hard to listen to him tell people things and me
not to go you poor thing you know but so I’m getting good at actually
delivering bad news myself but I’m trying to do it in a tender way.

Rhiannon: Idol winners consistently say that the key to their successes is being true to
themselves. Ellen admits that’s advice that works for her too

Ellen: . I kind of just wanted to be me and I thought if I’m doing it so terribly
wrong they’ll come over and say “No don’t.” But no one has done that so
far, they’re just letting me do what I want to do.

Audra: Watch the fireworks live as Ellen joins the idol crew tonight for Better I’m
Rhiannon.