The X Factor auditions were brought to a grinding halt in North Carolina after lightening struck.
A production truck was hit, causing a power cut at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.
The thunder was so loud judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato 'were screaming' along with the rest of the audience, a source told MailOnline.
The pair ran for cover in their dressing rooms while the problem was fixed - however filming had to stop for a second time after another bolt struck.
A source told MailOnline: 'Filming started again around an hour after the truck had been hit because it took while to fix things and get a back up.
'But they had to break again after the lightening hit something else. It crashed so loud Britney, Demi and the whole audience were screaming.'
The insider added: 'Auditions resumed eventually but it took them a long time to get things running again.'
Britney and Demi are filming for the hit Fox show alongside fellow judges Simon Cowell and LA Reid.
The drama unfolded as hopeful singers took to the stage in a bid to impress the panel and fought for a place in the next round.
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