Will She Be Wicked? Kristin Chenoweth Serves as American Idol Guest Judge on January 20

Get ready to see Tony and Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth as the latest guest judge on the new season of American Idol. As we previously reported, the pint-sized powerhouse joined judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi during auditions for the popular talent show in Orlando, Florida. The episode airs on January 20, 2010 at 8pm on Fox.

“It was harder than I thought because you really do have to look into the faces of people and say yes or no,” Chenoweth told People magazine about her Idol stint. “I don’t like to be a bummer and hurt anyone’s feelings.”

Chenoweth is one of several celebrity guest judges taking the seat vacated by former Idol regular Paula Abdul. She joins the ranks of Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Shania Twain and stage vet Neil Patrick Harris. The actress was last seen on the New York stage in off-Broadway’s Love, Loss and What I Wore in December. She earned her second Tony nomination for originating the role of Glinda in the smash hit musical Wicked, having won the prize for the 1999 revival of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. She was also seen on Broadway in The Apple Tree, Steel Pier and Epic Proportions. She will next be seen on the Great White Way in the revival of Promises, Promises at the Broadway Theatre in March.