Wheeling's own Haley Reinhart to return as mentor on 'American Idol' Feb. 18
The bluesy sound of Wheeling native and “American Idol” finalist Haley Reinhart will be back on the FOX reality competition show next week.
“Cat's outta the bag folks,” Reinhart posted on Facebook, adding she will appear Feb. 18 on the show that launched her national career.
“Only this time I'll be mentoring and performing with a few of this year's top 24 contestants,” she wrote.
This is the final season for “American Idol,” where the Wheeling High School graduate finished third in 2011. The show debuted in 2002.
Reinhart, whose debut album, Listen Up! was released in 2012 to acclaim, also became the first “American Idol” alum to perform at Lollapalooza.
She has been in the spotlight recently because a commercial for Extra gum that uses her cover of “Can't Help Falling In Love” has gone viral, with more than 18 million views on YouTube.
Reinhart has a new album, Better, to be released this year, which she plans to follow up with a tour.
“American Idol” airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays on FOX.