Ethiopian Review

LOS ANGELES — Ellen DeGeneres is known for being nice. But the new “American Idol” judge said she’s ready to be honest with the show’s contestants, good or bad.

“I think it’s going to be hard, but as my career has grown. … I’ve learned how to be tougher and learned how to say no,” DeGeneres said Thursday, a day after her addition to the show was announced. “I think I can do it, and I think I can do it in a respectful way.”

Any bluntness will be reserved for fellow judge Simon Cowell, known for his barbed remarks to contestants and colleagues.

“When Simon is rude and mean, I will tell him he’s rude and mean, just like I tell him when he’s on my show that he’s rude and mean,” DeGeneres said, referring to “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

She’ll continue with her daytime talkfest as she takes on “Idol” judging duties for the show’s ninth season, starting in January.

DeGeneres, who signed a five-year deal with the top-rated Fox singing contest, said she was shocked and excited when the opportunity came her way.

The fourth seat opened up when Paula Abdul resigned by way of Twitter in the midst of a contract dispute this summer. Abdul said in a statement Thursday she thinks DeGeneres “is wildly funny and talented in her own right” and wished her and the show “only the best of luck.”

DeGeneres, who hasn’t been part of the parade of guest judges taking

- AP