By Shirley Halperin

May 11, 2006 04:00PM EDT

Did you think that American Idol judge Paula Abdul was upset when frontrunner Chris Daughtry was voted off the show on Tuesday night? Well, you should have seen her after the cameras were off. A devastated Paula was hysterically crying about Chris�?ouster in her dressing room after Idol ended, but she took the time to sit down with TEEN PEOPLE to dish on her shock about Chris, her love of Elliott and Taylor and what she shares in common with Katharine.

TEEN PEOPLE: You seem quite surprised by Chris�?departure.
Paula Abdul: I didn’t see this coming at all. At this point, people forget that nobody’s safe. Every little girl and boy who loves Katharine knew that she was in trouble, and [their] votes went to her. Based on the competition, I thought that three boys would be left.

TEEN PEOPLE: What do you think the future holds for Chris?
Paula Abdul: If there is anyone who doesn’t have to worry, it’s Chris Daughtry. As much as I’m crying [right now], I believe with conviction that he has no worries whatsoever. Earlier, I whispered in his ear, “Now, you go get on with your life and do whatever you want to do, because everyone would die to have you on their label.�?I think this the first season where there might be more than two signings [of non-winners] - I have a feeling that there will be four.

TEEN PEOPLE: Who do you think will ultimately win?
Paula Abdul: I am going to be honest with you �?I want Elliott to win. I feel like I changed the face of the competition by making America wake up and see the talent that Elliott possesses. [But] I believe that Taylor and Elliott both want to win with every ounce of their souls. I’m really grateful that Taylor is still here, because I love him so much, and he really deserves to be up there. And Katharine is so primed to be the next Kelly Clarkson. It doesn’t matter [who wins] �?they’re all going to succeed!

TEEN PEOPLE: Well said, in between the tears.
Paula Abdul: People can make fun of me all they want, but I care so much about all these kids. They’re the most humble, grounded, amazing group. I think they all deserve [to win]. I would be happy to have any one of them as my kids.

TEEN PEOPLE: Do you think there’s a lot of pressure on Katharine, being the only girl?
Paula Abdul: Yeah, there is, but Katharine is a beautiful being with a magnificent voice. And she’s relatable to every teen girl. Don’t count her out, because teen girls love her. And she lives, like, two blocks away from me! I don’t know any other [San Fernando] Valley girls who have become famous, besides myself.