Haley Reinhart to appear on '90210,' 'Idol'

"American Idol" star and Wheeling native Haley Reinhart was in Hollywood Wednesday, filming an episode of "90210" that will air on the CW Network at the end of March.

Reinhart will play herself in the March 27 episode, and will sing her latest single, "Free."

Reinhart will also appear on "American Idol" on March 22 to debut "Free," a week before her "90210" appearance.

The 21-year-old singer loved getting back to acting, her mom, Patti Reinhart said Wednesday.

Patti said Haley has been acting in theater and plays since she was 7 years old.

"I knew even then how well she takes on a character and I don't even know it's my own kid," Patti said. "I enjoy watching her as a performer, I just get lost in it."

Shooting started at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday and took most of the day, but Patty said Haley enjoyed the whole experience.

"She was so excited, it went great and that everyone was so nice," Patti added. Although Patti couldn't say too much about the scene Reinhart will be in, she said there may be a chance she would be asked to return in the future.

Reinhart finished third on the 10th season of "American Idol" and has been living in California ever since working on her album, which is set to hit stores in May.

She paid Wheeling a visit over the holidays to help switch on the holiday lights, and performed a cover of "Baby, It's Cold Outside," with fellow "Idol" alum and Wilmette native Casey Abrams at the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival in Chicago.

As for when Reinhart will be returning to the suburbs next, Patti said she hopes to have her daughter back home for Easter, but with the singer's busy schedule, she isn't sure.

"90210" airs on the CW network at 7 p.m. Tuesdays.