What is this, Canadian Idol?

Fox announced yesterday that Canadian Avril Lavigne has signed up as a guest judge for the new season of American Idol, which debuts in January on Fox and CTV.

Previously, fellow Canadian Shania Twain had been named as a guest judge as well.

To replace the departed Paula Abdul, guest judges such as Lavigne and Twain will lend, or already have lent, their opinions to the audition portion of the American Idol journey. Other guest judges whose participation has been confirmed include Katy Perry, Joe Jonas, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Victoria Beckham and Mary J. Blige.

Lavigne and Perry will appear as guest judges during the final two days of auditions held this week in Los Angeles. On their respective days, Perry and Lavigne will sit at the judges' table next to Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.

Recently, Beckham was a guest judge in Denver and Boston, Blige was in Atlanta, Jonas and Harris were in in Dallas, Chenoweth was in Orlando and Twain was in Chicago.

With three CDs released to date, the 24-year-old Lavigne, who grew up in Napanee, Ont., has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. She is currently in the studio working on her fourth album, which is due to be released later this year.

In addition, Lavigne designs her own line of clothing and recently launched her first fragrance.

In a whirlwind of publicity, Abdul announced earlier this month that she would not be returning to American Idol this season, due to a contract dispute. A permanent replacement has not been named.