The season 4 winner is making her grand return to the show that started her career — this time as its newest judge.

Bo Bice was the Season 4 contestant who came in second to Carrie Underwood, so that’s no small praise for whoever inspires that comparison!

American Idol hopeful Slater Nalley checks all of the boxes as the kind of contestant judges love: He’s confident, he’s talented, he writes his own songs — but most of all, he’s a good dude with a compelling story.