CHARLOTTE--You might notice some delays around Time Warner Cable Arena this week, as an estimated 15,000 people flock to the area for the season 12 American Idol auditions.

Waiting for their moment in the spotlight, thousands of people circled Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena Sunday.

"I haven't auditioned before, I just sing all the time, mostly Beyonce in my shower and in the car,” said Charlotte resident Tatayanne Wilson.

As the hit show American Idol arrives in the Tar Heel state, plenty of North Carolinians who couldn't make it to other audition sites in the past are giving it a shot.

"Now that it was in Charlotte I was going to take every opportunity, every advantage of it just to make sure I was here this day, so yeah, I'm happy,” said Charlotte resident Antonia Garriett.

But among the North Carolina hopefuls were people who drove hours from surrounding states to spend days in Charlotte, registering and auditioning.

"We saw that it was in Charlotte, and my name is Charlotte, so we though Charlotte and Charlotte, that'd be really cool,” said Charlotte Gassett, who drove from Jacksonville to audition.

It's the first time the show has made a stop in Charlotte.

"We've been talking about coming to Charlotte for a long, long time so we're finally here. Charlotte's always been on the map for us. I mean, the Carolinas just give us the great talent. You can't go wrong by stopping in the Carolinas,” said Patrick Lynn, supervising producer for American Idol.

From the Bachelorette to Banshee, Homeland to Hunger Games, Charlotte is becoming quite the hot spot for TV and movies.

"Charlotte is a growing city, and with American Idol coming here, it is going to put Charlotte on the map a lot, so I really feel like this is a good experience for both the people of Charlotte and for Charlotte itself,” said Garriet.

While those in line want to become the next American Idol, the producers say they're hoping their next Idol comes from Charlotte too.

Tuesday morning, as Ryan Seacrest and North Carolina native Scotty McCreery kick off auditions, there will be some delays around the Time Warner Cable Arena area.

If you'd like more information about the Idol auditions in Charlotte, just go to: www.AmericanIdol.com