W hile the audition rounds are over and the Top 24 have been selected for Season 23 of American Idol, one contestant had to work even harder to prove herself to the judges. 20-yea

The “Idol” judge, Season 4 winner, and country hitmaker heaped praise upon Slater Nalley during Sunday night’s episode of the show, which depicted 12 of the Top 24 contenders facing off at Aulani, a Disney resort and spa in Hawaii. Nalley performed the “Wizard of Oz” classic “Over The Rainbow,” which he tweaked to fit his own twangy style.

The singer is returning to the spotlight with a little more wisdom when it comes to navigating a reality competition show — and the challenges of maintaining the momentum once the show is over.