Paula Abdul called the late Judge Frank Caprio a 'dear friend'

Paula Abdul paid tribute to Judge Frank Caprio, the Providence jurist known as the "nicest judge in the world," after his death last week.

In an Instagram post a day after Caprio's passing, Abdul called the retired Providence Municipal Court chief judge her "dear friend," whom she had known for over a decade.

Abdul had even appeared in a segment of "Caught in Providence," a popular reality television show featuring some of Caprio's humorous and empathetic interactions in the courtroom, back in 2020.

"Rest peacefully, my sweet friend — your spirit will live on in all the hearts you touched," Abdul wrote.

The 88-year-old judge died after battling pancreatic cancer .

Paula Abdul posts photos with Judge Frank Caprio

In her tribute post, Abdul said Caprio lived with grace and alwa