The Hollywood Reporter confirms Idol appearance by Haley

[Shela]

Another milestone...ok, baby steps
http://top40.about.com/od/top10newpopson...2-2012.htm

[alpha7388]

That E-online interview quotes Haley as saying she will be back AGAIN on idol. Probably around the release date of the album!

[Miguel]

The E-Online interview was prior to her return to Idol tonight. I believe that is what she is referring to when she says "Idol again."

I'm just really excited to see what happens, especially after we do a lot more promotion for it. Things like 90210 and Idol again. It's so exciting.

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Annie Barrett at EW.com:

'American Idol' recap: Nobody Wins From This Misery
To perform the hell out of her new single "Free," Haley Reinhart wore a long, gauzy red gown with some severe Angelina Leg and a sparkly hair clip that put Randy's pin collection to shame. Aggggh! I've watched this maybe....15 times? 20? And I spent the afternoon listening to "Free" and Haley's studio recordings from season 10 of Idol on Spotify. I'd forgotten how much I love her -- and what a stunning visual performer she is. I lose my breath a little whenever she throws one arm up in the air with her signature "I love singing!" dreamy expression and head tilt. But that's probably because I'm so unhealthy and never get off of my couch.

Let's go, America! Make Haley happen!

http://tvrecaps.ew.com/recap/american-id...einhart/2/

---

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER:

Haley Reinhart Debuts New Single 'Free' on 'American Idol' Stage

UPDATED: The former contestant makes her triumphant return to the show with a jazzy, throwback tune.

Haley Reinhart, last season's third place finalist, made a triumphant return to the American Idol stage with her new single, "Free."

The song, a sultry, jazzy throwback to another era, fit Reinhart like a glove and was a solid offering for Billy Joel week. She performed the number in a golden birdcage and looked amazing with a sleek, red dress (showing a bit of leg, Angelina Jolie, style) and her hair teased to high heaven. Reinhart brought a touch of Las Vegas pizazz to the Idol stage.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-wo...nce-303449

[Tusk]

Frankly I'm a bit confused, this should be a really great day...and it is...so why do I feel....bummed out (?)

...I think we're spoiled as a fan base, that Haley has been so spectacular in her 'small' performances that we're 'stunned' when we add the trappings of Super Stardom and are not sure how or what to think.

It reminds me of when we heard the single for the first time on soundcloud. People freaked, others thought they auto tuned her...I think it's that kind of reaction tonight also...trepidation and in some case repulsion of something different.

Mix with that the variety of ways people communicate about it in text form, online. Some are subtle, some sarcastic, some blunt...in short blurbs we take offense to far too easily, and maybe glaze over main points too dismissively.

We could have predicted the 'types' and variety of response as we've not really had this kind and size of 'community' viewing of Haley since, basically, her elimination. So when all these moving parts converge at once for this event...we inevitably get the conflicts that pop up.

I think this will have good impact for Haley, She did well tonight, and the press seem to be openly behind her, which is good, better to hear from them than the predictable 'slut' 'bitch' snark from the same old haters.

I have to remind myself to keep the eye on the prize and not 'over react' to perceived or intended slights. It's about long term success and by any metric, Haley is doing very well at this point of the game

[john]

I've been traveling and it has been hard to keep up with Haley's week (although I was in LA the last couple days and probably within 15 miles of her when she performed today, LOL). I was able to tune into Idol tonight, but only after reading tweets, and posts here and on IDF. I became concerned and didn't quote know what to expect with the negativity I was encountering on the part of loyal Haliens. Would it be overproduced? with too much growling? with vocals drowned out by the music? with hair too big? and a WTF bird cage, etc.

The first thing I noticed was Courtney Leonard -- he reminded me of a security guard (maybe it was that blue lighting). John looked like a proper guitarist.

I thought Haley killed vocally and she looked stunning. I am just fine with the whole thing.

As far as the big production goes, I recall Haley talking about how she loved the star treatment that went along with the Idol experience. And I think she has been itching to do a fancy production on the big stage. She didn't get her street lamp on HOTRS, but got the big birdcage for Free. I would personally prefer a less produced performance -- think she connects better with the viewing audience with less production, but I have no problem with what she did. I thought the band sounded good and I want the music to be strong.

She has 90210 coming up and the promo machine will be kicking into a higher gear. Things are on track.

[makefigure8s]

Nigel Lythgoe ‏ @dizzyfeet
RT @BradyTheBengal: RT if you thought @HaleyReinhart 's Idol Performance was fantastic! #free [HALEY IS FANTASTIC. GREAT STAGING TOO.]

https://twitter.com/#!/dizzyfeet/status/...6784576513

Lol Nigel, like the tacked on bit about staging. Interestingly, overall, the feel was half way between SYTYCD and Idol, but still quite enjoyable. Get the feeling she's well liked by the staff at AI; they seemed to have worked hard to make this a grand production.

Ah, no more just our little flower child.

Edit: Drop the quaffling addendum since it was not aimed at self in any way.

[Tusk]

Nigel Lythgoe ‏ @dizzyfeet
RT @BradyTheBengal: RT if you thought @HaleyReinhart 's Idol Performance was fantastic! #free [HALEY IS FANTASTIC. GREAT STAGING TOO.]

https://twitter.com/#!/dizzyfeet/status/...6784576513

Lol Nigel, like the tacked on bit about staging. Interestingly, overall, the feel was half way between SYTYCD and IDOL, but still quite enjoyable. Get the feeling she's well liked by the staff at AI; they seemed to have worked hard to make this a grand production (whether you liked it or not).

Ah, no more just our little flower child.

That's the reason I'm not ready to be critical about the production, I really think they (production) tried very hard to make her look as good as they could...It might not have translated to everybody, but it wasn't for lack of trying, and I whole heartedly appreciate the effort.

A Few hours out, I'm just disappointed that the heart of the song, it's depth, was non existent in this truncated version. I'm disappointed because all those new to Haley and "Free" didn't get to see the whole performance and song.

But you get what you can, and I have to believe she gained more fans from this exposure.

[abc890]

I think the important thing to note is that all the reviews are RAVING about her... That's all the big names: Hollywood Reporter, Newsday, USA Today, EW, EOnline, the list goes on... With this performance Haley was trying to reach beyond her fan base and maybe, because of that, we felt a little snubbed from the intimate, laid-back performances we've gotten used to over the past month. Yes, it was a lot. But, that's what's going to draw attention. I personally liked it a lot! She was great vocally and most importantly, seemed to be having a lot of fun!

[makefigure8s]

I think the important thing to note is that all the reviews are RAVING about her... That's all the big names: Hollywood Reporter, Newsday, USA Today, EW, EOnline, the list goes on... With this performance Haley was trying to reach beyond her fan base and maybe, because of that, we felt a little snubbed from the intimate, laid-back performances we've gotten used to over the past month. Yes, it was a lot. But, that's what's going to draw attention. I personally liked it a lot! She was great vocally and most importantly, seemed to be having a lot of fun!

Yes, she's blossoming. Right in front of our eyes. So cool.

[Miguel]

A Few hours out, I'm just disappointed that the heart of the song, it's depth, was non existent in this truncated version.

Someone on IF said they would trade all the staging for the extra minute. This may lie at the heart of the uneasiness many dedicated fans felt initially about the performance. The sense of the performance being compressed, or more hectic, was compounded by Haley breaking free and rushing to the far end of the stage. All in all, it wasn't a bad performance, it just had a different feel than we were accustomed to.