With Paula Abdul gone and the first auditions of American Idol beginning in Denver, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham was spotted around Denver as she subs for Abdul’s spot on the show. Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi spoke about how they felt with Paula not judging with them this year.

Simon said, “She was like my best buddy on the show. And you only realise how much you miss somebody when you’re not there. I am sad.” He added reassuring Paula’s fans and said he has been speaking to Paula since her Idol exit announcement saying, “Paula has been very cool about the whole thing. And let me tell you, Paula is going to be fine.”

DioGuard said, “I am so missing Paula. That’s why I’m in black mourning. I’m very sad. I talked to her last week. It’s sad, but it was her choice. She added, “She was a great friend to me. She was so incredibly helpful. She was nurturing and the heart that she showed the contestants. I’m really going to miss her a lot. Really am.”

Jackson said, “I talked to [Paula] a couple days ago and she’s going to be great. We all love her. I think I may cry today. It’s weird.”

Idol executives are on the lookout for a permanent replacement for Abdul before the show airs in January. Peter Rice told a meeting of the Television Critics Association he wanted to find a judge who was “fun and energizing and creates some real chemistry between the people on the panel.”