Haley dishes on her post-'Idol' plans
No, she and Casey Abrams aren't dating.
Yes, she's ready to record a “sultry, blues-rock” album once the “Idol” tour is over.
No, she wasn't mad about getting voted off “American Idol” and she doesn't think the judges were too hard on her — well, not for the most part.
In a phone interview Friday with reporters, Haley Reinhart, 20, also told what her dad said after she was eliminated on Thursday, one week before the show's finale.
Here's a hint: The word “regret” never came up.
“You never know,” said the Wheeling native. “I'm excited to get out there (post “Idol”) and do what I want to do. Everything happens for a reason. I'm going to enjoy letting loose, knowing I'm not being judged.”
Q: When the results were announced, you looked floored. How hard was it?A: I took a second to think about it. I thought this is it but I have to sing a song in about five seconds and I want to show America why they kept me around here so long. I gotta give them a good show.Q: What was your favorite part of the Wheeling hometown visit?A: It was raining out, very gloomy and I had 30,000 plus waiting hours in the rain (for the concert at Arlington Park). I saw so many familiar faces, it really got to me. The highlight of the whole thing was getting my parents and their band to play #8220;Sweet Home Chicago#8221; with me. It was a really, really fun gig.Q: What did your dad tell you after the show?A: He was just on cloud nine and said this was my best concert ever. We'll have a keepsake for life, and nobody can take that away from us.Q: Do you think the judges were overly critical of you?A: I believe their intention throughout the whole process was to push me. It was apparent they liked to get me at the top of my game, to get me fired up inside so I'd come up with something. And ya know what? I got to the top three so it's quite all right. I don't live in regret. Really, I don't nitpick, I'm a Virgo. I took a lot of risks in the beginning when usually people do the opposite.Q: What about those rumors that you and fellow Idol contestant Casey Abrams were dating?A: We have a really strong relationship, maybe not by dating, but musically between us it's wonderful. We never really said yes or no. We had a lot of fun with it (the rumors). We played the game. It was fun.Q: What's your future album going to be like?A: I definitely have a lot of ideas. I would love to do a sultry, blues-rock album. I love jazz so I'd like to fit that in somewhere.Q: There seemed to be a groundswell of support out there for you (like former #8220;Idol#8221; show alum Adam Lambert). Where you aware of what people were saying?A: I'm not too big on the blogs but I look at all the tweets everyone sent. Getting support from Adam was spectacular. He's one of the best.Q: Who were you favorite mentors on the show?A: I had a great time with Lady Gaga and Beyoncé and Sheryl Crow. It was so surreal. I felt like we're all artists and they treated me like that. Their feedback was great. Q: Who is going to win, Lauren Alaina or Scotty McCreery?A: Naw, you know I can't do that. It's a close one. They're in a close lane together. It's anyone's game. They're so darn cute and they have country (music) going for them. This is a country year. I'm excited to see what happens.