Britney Spears Storms Off 'X Factor' Set In North Carolina After Person In Drag Covers '(You Drive Me) Crazy'

During auditions Monday in Greensboro, N.C., for Fox's show "The X Factor", one contestant's rendition of the Britney Spears hit "(You Drive Me) Crazy" drove Spears -- a judge in the show -- well, crazy.

Indeed, crazy enough to storm off stage as the male contestant, dressed as a woman (we'll get to this part), performed the pop hit in front Ms. Spears herself. People reports Spears looked "stunned" as a drag version of her song, once considered 1999's 10th-hottest hit, seemed to earn "instant fans" in the crowd.

After his audition, reports Us magazine, the emotional singer told Simon Cowell he "had to fight real hard to get here," because of financial issues. Cowell told the man, "I don't think [Spears] quite understood your tribute."

The "X Factor" hopeful had dressed up in cat glasses, a "bedazzled" jean jacket, boots, and had his hair in a bun, according to USA Today.

And while she eventually re-entered the arena and told the contestant, "I really respect the tribute," it doesn't seem to have swayed the crowd in her favor. Writes one attendee on Twitter:

Britney began appearing on the show in May and almost immediately became a source of controversy. On her first day, rumors swirled that she'd walked off the set after a contestant butchered another of her songs, "Hold It Against Me." The singer later clarified: