DioGuardi defends 'Idol' contestant

American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi has rejected claims that contestant Joanna Pacitti has an unfair advantage.

Viewers recently complained after it emerged that Pacitti had already achieved a relative degree of success as a solo artist, giving her a possible advantage over other contestants.

DioGuardi has backed the singer, claiming that she hasn't broken any rules.

"I do think it’s fair because she’s facing, actually, the same challenges and in some ways more challenges than some of the other contestants," she told Access Hollywood.

"She’s been dropped from a record label, which psychologically puts you in a weird place, right? So, you know, that’s why I think she’s so emotional on the show… She knows what it's like to actually get a deal and then be dropped, which is actually a terrible thing."

The judge added that Pacitti would still struggle if she made it to the final rounds.

"I don’t know that she has any more advantage than any of the other contestants ‘cause some of them are as good if not better.

"Just because someone was signed - the fight begins after you’ve been signed. You know, you’ve gotta find the great song, you’ve gotta find a great production, you have to have a great look and image and you know all these things that come into making a hit artist."

American Idol airs Thursdays and Fridays on ITV2.