Victoria Beckham Slammed For 'Idol' Appearance

Victoria Beckham, 35, aka Posh Spice, is getting harsh reviews for her two-episode stint as a judge on the new season of American Idol, which started Tuesday night. “The night’s saddest failure, however, was guest judge Victoria Beckham, who actually made plenty of appealing comments and bonded beautifully with fellow judge Kara DioGuardi but whose gaunt appearance was so off-putting it might have cost her the slot DeGeneres eventually won,” wrote the Los Angeles Times critic.

Even if Victoria’s lace headband look and gaunt appearance didn’t win over critics, she did manage, however, to stand up to Cowell. When he told one contestant, he was “good, but boring… I just found it very, very dull,” Posh retorted, “Why do you do that? It takes so much nerve to stand there and do that.” The contestant made it through to the next round.

For his part, judge Randy Jackson loved Victoria. “She was actually really cool," he said. "I gave her the nickname Lady V, so hopefully she goes out into the world and uses that.”

Beckham is one of the many celebrity guest judges, including Katy Perry and Joe Jonas, to join the Idol panel until February 9, when Ellen DeGeneres takes over for the seat left vacant by Paula Abdul. –MANDY COHEN in London