Haley Reinhart rebounds from discouraging ‘American Idol’ round
...The 20-year-old singer from Wheeling, Illinois...was actually passed over during her Chicago audition for season nine...
“It was such a fast letdown [last year], and it felt like it was unfairly played out — I was judged within 10 seconds of a song that the judges didn’t know,” Reinhart said from Washington, a stop on the “American Idol Live” tour that heads into the Times Union Center on Sunday night.
“I was really bummed out — devastated really — and I didn’t want to go back. . . . I got a call the day before the audition and found out that people were trying to email me, telling me about the audition. I figured, it was in Milwaukee, that’s not too far, and if I’m getting a call for it on such late notice — I felt like there was a reason for it, so I went for it. You can’t ignore the signs, you know, and I feel like I’ve had plenty of those, not just throughout my ‘American Idol’ experience, but throughout my whole life.”
...the judges were not always kind — she often found herself in the bottom three at the end of the week. Even still, Reinhart appreciated the new judges’ feedback, which she felt was more positive, actually.
“The part that I liked most about it was, other than the fact that Randy had the whole — with Simon leaving, he had to portray a part there that was lacking,” Reinhart said. “But for the most part, everybody shed a new light on the show. With these judges, there’s a lot more positive light over everything, and I really enjoyed that. I’ve watched the show since forever, and some things could get a little bit too serious or cruel, even though I agreed with Simon most of the time. But at the same time, I felt that this season, each judge really just portrayed a whole different vibe.”
...Reinhart’s solo numbers in the live show are the big crowd-pleasers from the TV show, “House of the Rising Sun” and “Bennie and the Jets.” Initially, she had wanted to try out some new songs.
“I wanted to do a song that I hadn’t done on the show, but they really encourage us to do the hits, the ones that are the crowd pleasers,” Reinhart said. “And I understand, and I love ‘Bennie’ and ‘House of the Rising Sun.’ ”
She won’t have to wait long to start singing new material, though. When the tour wraps up in Rochester on Sept. 10, Reinhart will head to New York City to begin recording her first album for Interscope Records, which signed her after she was eliminated from “American Idol” in May.
...After that, Reinhart will continue the transition from her life with her family in Illinois to living on her own in Los Angeles.
“This is my first time buying a car, I’m paying bills for the first time,” Reinhart said. “I’m learning a lot of new things. . . . I’m living the life and dream that I’ve dreamt of forever.”
I think she could pull off a successful stint on Broadway, on the side of course.
I can't wait for her album and single! Kelly and Haley all in one year!!! I can't...
Imagine a duet gurl! I wonder if their voices would do good. If kelly were to use her voice like she does in Stuff Like That(very western, blues) it could totally work!
Imagine a duet gurl! I wonder if their voices would do good. If kelly were to use her voice like she does in Stuff Like That(very western, blues) it could totally work!
Stuff Like That There? That was my favorite Kelly performance.
I really hope she attracts an international fan-base. Being local is just not acceptable. The world needs to experience Haley's soulful voice, like Adele.
I really hope she attracts an international fan-base. Being local is just not acceptable. The world needs to experience Haley's soulful voice, like Adele.
I think she'll crossover internationally effortlessly, especially if Interscope does a good job pushing her.
Ugh, I can't wait until we have some more news to discuss! I enjoy chatting in here with you guys!
