14 DAY TRIAL // A few days ago, it became official that Victoria Beckham would replace Paula Abdul for at least one episode of American Idol, after the latter left the show for not agreeing on money issues with the producers and Fox. Despite being positively thrilled with the chance being offered to her and promising to do her best to not make contestants feel Paula’s absence, it seems Victoria did not quite cut it as AI judge, Radar Online reports.
The problem with Posh was not what audiences might have expected, meaning her being icy and distant, just like she comes across in her everyday life as well: quite the contrary. According to insiders on the set, Victoria messed up her Idol appearance by trying too hard and coming off as unnatural. It was as if she desperately wanted to show she could replace Abdul and contestants would have none of that, the spies tell Radar.
“It didn’t go too well. She tried to hard to be ‘nice,’ but came off as icy and wooden.” an unnamed tipser reveals for Radar. Moreover, contestants also had a problem with two British judges being on the same panel, and really missed Paula, which they did not try to hide for one second. “Radar Online also heard that lots of the contestants who auditioned were deeply disappointed by Paula’s absence (some saying it while cameras rolled). One person connected to show also was overheard saying two British judges were too much.” Radar further writes, still citing the unnamed inside sources.
Victoria, for what it’s worth, was extremely excited at the idea of appearing on one episode of Idol, even joking over the weekend that her good intentions would ruin her public image of “moody cow.” Other people, however, were not as happy as she was that Paula Abdul had left the popular televised singing competition, former contestant Adam Lambert, who came in second last season, being one of them as well. The “Wild Idol,” as Rolling Stone named him, spoke to the magazine on the Paula issue, saying that she made him feel “safe and loved,” and that was the kind of thing producers could never replace.
“She made me feel safe and loved. It’s hard when you’re facing intense criticism from some of the more harsh judges on the show and you have millions of people behind the camera watching you, it’s nice to have a presence in the room that will root for you and smile. And not only after the performances, but during the performance, she stands up, she claps, she smiles at you – it s like a safety net.” Adam Lambert said for Rolling Stone over the weekend.