'Best audition this season!' Candice Glover makes a show-stopping return to American Idol a year after being rejected

The American Idol auditions headed to Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesday and the first day took place at the Motor Speedway track in the southern state.
And one of the top performances of the night came from Candice Glover who was rejected in Vegas last year, but came back for another try.
‘Best audition I have heard so far this season,’ said Randy as the judges jumped up to give her a standing ovation.
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She's back: Candice Glover, who appeared on last season of American Idol, was back with a vengeance on Wednesday's episode

‘I am obsessed with you. I want to skin you and wear you,’ said Nicki.
‘Can we listen to you for the rest of the day?’ asked Mariah. ‘I felt you. I felt you.’
After a guest appearance from Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery the show kicked off with Naomi Morris, a 28-year-old, bartender and fashionista.
While Naomi’s homemade outfit was described as ‘poppin’ by Nicki her painfully off-key rendition of Aretha Franklin’s Respect provoked winces from the panel and a unanimous ‘no’.
‘Don’t let this bring you down, because you are a beautiful girl. I mean look at the clothes, your made your own ensemble,’ consoled Mariah to the nervous contestant.

While Nicki commented that she wanted the girl’s studded bra Mariah rolled her eyes.

Standing ovation: The judges jumped out of their seats and applauded after the show-stopping audition

Unanimous: The judges claimed it was the best audition they had seen so far

‘That bra is too small for you,’ she said.
The award for the most eccentric performance might go to 20-year-old Joel Nemoyer who lay flat on his back to sing Michael Bublé’s version of Feeling Good.
‘My style is unique in that I can lie on the ground and sing with high clarity,’ he told host Ryan Seacrest before laughing wildly.
‘Joe you are sweet, but I’m not sure if singing is your expertise,’ said Keith diplomatically.

‘Never,’ said Randy with far less tact.
After such hilarity a sad backstory was sure to follow.

New and improved: Candice was sent home in the Las Vegas round of the show last season and put in some work before returning

Golden ticket: Candice was one contestant who was definitely sailing through to the next round

Before singing ‘Let it Be’ Bookkeeper Brian Rittenberry, 27, told how his wife overcame cancer.
‘That was husky and cool,’ said Keith as the judges unanimously sent Brian on to Hollywood.
County singer Jimmy Smith, who claimed to be a big fan of Keith, impressed all judges with his performance of ‘Bless the Broken Road’ by Rascal Flatts.
‘I think you poppin, like you mad fly,’ said Nicki who has been praised for her snappy repartee on the prime time show. 
‘You have something incredibly special and unique,’ said Mariah.
Haley Davis, 26-year-old hairdresser from Charleston, South Carolina got the judges chanting ‘yes’ in unison with her soulful version of Jessie J’s sassy tune Mama Knows Best.

Southern belle: Jenelle Arthur won over the judges, especially Keith Urban, as she performed one of his songs

Heartwarming: Rodney Barber, who gives half of his earnings to the homeless, impressed the judges with his voice and heart

‘Cute little lady bug, I want to take you home in my pocket book,’ said Nicki. 
Also sailing through with her glass-smashing high notes was Na’Chelle Fullins-Lovell, 19.
Quirky cowboy hat wearing Matthew Muse, from Florence, SC told the crew he likes to ‘communicate with his eyes’.
The excitable contestant, 23, sang When I Get Where I'm Going by Brad Paisley and busted out a few line-dancing moves to boot.
‘You are nowhere near ready for this,’ said Randy as Mariah stifled a yawn at the performance.
‘You could be a model though,’ said Nicki who then made him try out his catwalk skills.
‘Cool dude, but no,’ reiterated Randy firmly.

Overwhelmed: Sertha Guinn and Nicki Minaj both broke down in tears when she was sent through after keeping it a secret from her boyfriend

Making friends: Nicki happily posed for a picture with Sertha's daughter London, who idolises her

Summer Cunningham almost brought down the panel when Nicki stormed out after a row with the judges about her audition, but she still made it through.
A stand out performance came from high school student Isabel Gonzalez who was nominated for Idol by her aunt Bernie as a surprise.
After being plucked from her classroom by Randy she showed remarkable poise and confidence on the stage.
Singing Sam Cooke’s Nothing Can Change This Love the 16-year-old was a favourite for the judges.
‘I am absolutely head over heal in love with you,’ said Nicki. 'You are doing it so effortlessly and that’s what makes it so dope. It’s like you are up there and you are not even trying, you could be doing your nails or something.'
‘You are a natural, you were born to do this,’ agreed Keith.

Cute and quirky: Ashley Smith was a hit thank to her eccentricities and surprising decision to sing a country number

We're all in this together: Brian Rittenberry told of how his wife, who joined him at the auditions with their son, overcame cancer

‘People are going to fall in love with you,’ said Mariah.
Rock band singer Taisha Bethea, 21, sang Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues and Alanis Morissette’s You Oughta Know.
Her performances divided the judges with Keith’s vote being the decider that took her through to Hollywood.

After an awkward rift at the end of the first day Nicki refused to return to auditions.
But the following day she was back - be it with lingering resentment and a different seating arrangement.
Navy Reservist Brandy Hamilton was the first person to take the stage after the quarrel.
‘Considering the spiff that happened I’m nervous to be there,’ said the 23-year-old who sang Etta James’ All I Could Do Is Cry.

A unique approach: Joel Nemoyer tickled the judges as he lay flat on his back to sing, but it wasn't enough

Hat's nice: The judges liked Matthew Muse's cowboy hat and strut, but sadly that was all

‘You’re so positive. You lit up the room,’ said Randy.
‘It was pippedy pow,’ said Mariah. ‘A plus.’
The wide-smiled performer had some advice for the judges too. ‘Please don’t fight - it makes me sad,’ she told them.
Hyperactive hostess Ashley Smith stood out with her bullring nose piercing, pink shirt and ash blonde locks.
‘I’m going to call you blondie,’ said Nicki, whose petnames for the contestants have included Stud, Booby Trap, Fishnet Girl and Chicken Lady.
Singing Carrie Underwood’s Cowboy Casanova the bespectacled contestant was a big hit all around.
‘I enjoyed you, there is something about you that is very effervescent,’ said Mariah.

Surprise: Randy Jackson showed up at Isabel Gonzalez's school after she was nominated by a family member

It was worth it: The judges raved about the 16-year-old's musical talent and sent her to Hollywood

Cute country belle Jenelle Arthur, 22, was looking to impress Keith Urban by singing his song Where The Blacktop Ends.
‘Yeah! I love that song,’ joked Keith afterwards.
‘You already seem like a star,’ said Nicki.
The blonde southerner got four yeses and a hug from Keith.
A big more rugged was local busker Rodney Barber, who pulled at the heartstrings by saying he gives half of his earnings to homeless people.
‘I used to live on the streets,’ said the 27-year-old. ‘People helped me so why should I not help other people now?’

Jumping for joy: Brandy Hamilton and her family celebrated after she was given a golden ticket to Hollywood

It pays to be sweet: The judges loved both Haley Davis and Ja'bria Barber because of their winning personalities as well as their voices

Rodney, who also works as a bouncer, sang I’ll Be by Edwin McCain.
‘I really loved it, but I also had an experience with you because of what you have been through,’ said Mariah who gave him an: ‘absolutely yes,’ along with all the other judges.
Keith, who is getting a reputation for playing hookie on the Idol job, left Day Two at 2.30pm to see his wife Nicole Kidman receive an award at the New York Film Festival.
‘I wanted to be there to hold her hand,’ he said.
Ja’bria Barber, 16, got grief from the judges for eating frogs’ legs without eating the rest of the animal.
‘What?’ Scolded Nicki in mock disdain. ‘You eat the legs but throw the whole big frog body away? There are gonna be a lot of disabled frogs out there.’

Causing trouble: The judges got into a row after Summer Cunningham's audition when she said she has 'done the country thing'

So much to celebrate: Jimmy Smith and Na'Chelle Fullins-Lovell were delighted to be given the seal of approval

But her singing cured the judges of their squeamishness.
‘I’ll give you a pass on the frogs’ leg thing, but just don’t tell anybody about it,’ said Mariah as the three remaining judges sent her through to the next round.
Last but definitely not least was Sertha Guinn who brought tears to Nicki’s eyes.
After a moving backstory about her boyfriend who nearly died in an accident, the 26-year-old hairdresser sang her own version of the theme tune to The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and the more emotional Jimmy Wayne track You Are.
On stage with her daughter London, 3, was praised by the panel. ‘Incredible. Incredible,’ said a teary Nicki.
Next week the 37 winners with the golden tickets will appear in Hollywood.

Containing her curves: Naomi Morris was the first contestant to perform in Charlotte and wore a homemade studded bra

Rock chick: Taisha Bethea is in a rock band but decided to try her hand at going it alone