Is it fair for Joanna Pacitti to be a contestant on American Idol?

Many critics point to this singer's brief Broadway career, along with her previously-released album through A&M records, as proof that she's overqualified for the show.

Kara DioGuardi is not included in this camp, however.

"I do think [her inclusion on the show] is fair because she's facing, actually, the same challenges and in some ways more challenges than some of the other contestants," DioGuardi told Access Hollywood. "She's been dropped from a record label, which psychologically puts you in a weird place, right?

"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."

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.