“We are so happy to welcome back Kara for her second season with Idol,” the show’s creator and executive producer, Simon Fuller, said in a statement Monday. “She is a breath of fresh air, and her passion for music and her understanding of talent is invaluable. This show is all about discovering new talent, and Kara’s championing of Adam Lambert is proof positive of her great instinct.”

Adds executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz, “Kara brings her own special style and sensibility to the show, which includes her innate talent to identify, nurture and direct a performers potential. We’re very pleased with her contributions as the fourth judge on the panel.”

Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson are also slated to return (taping start Aug. 6), it remains to be seen if Paula Abdul will be back. The ninth season of Idol premieres in January.