Ellen DeGeneres: ‘I’m Going To Be A Great [‘Idol’] Judge Because I’ve Spent My Whole Life Being Judged’

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New ‘American Idol’ judge Ellen DeGeneres on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’
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Dressed as Ellen DeGeneres, Paula Abdul performs at Brooklyn Academy of Music for VH1’s ‘Divas Live’ concert special on September 17, 2009 in New York City
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Ellen DeGeneres arrives at the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, August 30, 2009
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Simon Cowell ‘American Idol’

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FIRST PUBLISHED: September 22, 2009 1:10 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: September 22, 2009 1:43 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Ellen DeGeneres is taking on her critics who are worried she won’t have the chops to sit behind the judge’s table on “American Idol.”

“Apparently, there’s a lot of debate going on right now whether I’m qualified or not to be the new judge on ‘American Idol,’” Ellen said on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” airing Tuesday. “I’ll tell you right now, how I know I’m going to be a great judge because I’ve spent my whole life being judged. So I know what it’s like.”

The talk show host said she’ll be a sympathetic voice on the panel — yet won’t hold her opinions back.

“I will be kind. I will be compassionate. I will be empathetic and I will be truthful. I will be an honest judge without being mean,” she continued.

The talk show queen said she’s ready to break down barriers with her new job.

“We have the first African-American President. We’ve sworn in our first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice. I think ‘American Idol’ is ready for their first blonde judge,” Ellen joked.

And despite her detractors, Ellen is pumped to start her new job.

“I’m very excited to be on the show… I knew people would have opinions and I did not want to know what they were because why should I take that stuff in. I try not to watch anything that I think is going to be talking about me. I try not to read anything…nothing. I don’t even read the back of a cereal box,” she continued.

Ellen even addressed Paula Abdul’s recent spoof of her during the “VH1’s Divas” event.

“I have nothing but love for you too Paula,” Ellen said. “But, I want my wig back. I really do. Give it back.”

Ellen might have some naysayers out there, but she has a fan in princess of pop.

“Congratulations on American Idol!” Britney Spears Tweeted on Wednesday. “Don’t take any crap from Simon.”

Fans will have to wait until January 2010 to find out how Ellen does sitting next to Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell at the judge’s table.

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