This is the thread where you TESTIFY how you became a Haley fan.
Quote: I’m a new viewer of AI and (Idoloonies) videos this season — I became entrapped in the web of Haley after I happened upon her performance of ‘You’ve Really Gotta Hold On Me’ – after seeing that performance….she really did have a hold of me. After that – I didn’t miss an episode of AI this season.
I miss having her visit me on Wed and Thurs – and hope to hear some original music from her soon! Sign the Growler – Damn it!!
Comment by luvnhugs4u – June 17, 2011 08:19 AM PDT
I’m from Europe and I started watching American Idol last year and almost quit it the second Siobhan was eliminated.
Then this season I thought .. well .. new judges, let’s see how this pans out. And I thought that the top 13 were awesome and diverse but the judges kept pissing me off and honest to God Haley and Idoloonies were the only things that kept me giving this season the boot. I NEVER got as invested in a contestant as I have with Haley and at the beginging I hated her. Now I’m addicted to evey word, every movment … she just blows me away with her talent and personality.
Comment by EvaneSam – June 17, 2011 10:01 AM PDT
Quote:I have watched 10 seasons and had many favorites over the years. But I have never fallen so in love with a contestant as I have with Haley. Maybe its the voice, or the attitude, or the underdog status, or the growth, or the confidence, or the style … I suppose it’s the whole package.
I cried during the entire last section (of the Idoloonies interview), I didn’t want it to end.
Weepies are worth it, thank you Haley for a great season and best wishes for the future. I will buy your album.
Comment by Ronnie – June 17, 2011 10:01 AM PDT
I fell in love with Haley the person. Of all the seasons Haley, Melinda And Elliott Yamin are not only great singers but their realness and sweetness are felt through the tv or computer screen. It’s funny too that they all came in third. And during top 3 night got not the best songs to sing though Haley singing What Is by Zeppelin is my favorite performance of hers. It was such a fresh and unexpected choice and she nailed it. Zep very rarely allows people to do their songs so what a huge endorsement for her.
Comment by Danielle Notaro – June 17, 2011 11:14 AM PDT
Quote:(Her Top 3 Performance) was simply phenomenal – even with the fall! My husband, who hasn’t listened to rock since Skynard died in the plane crash, was transfixed, watching her perform. And I loved her dad!
What started for me as a so-so season because I had no clear favorite (after Lauren Turner didn’t make the Top 13) ended up being one of my favorites, thanks to Haley. And that’s saying a lot – David Cook is from the area and I didn’t think ANYTHING would ever top David winning, but Haley’s performances come very close.
Comment by darcy's evil twin – June 17, 2011 06:42 PM PDT
i was pretty much sold on Haley ever since i first saw her sing. it was the second week, when she sang “Blue.” I was like, “WHO IS THIS GIRL I LOVE HER I WILL CALL HER MY FAVORITE AND SHE SHALL BE MINE AND SHE SHALL BE MY FAVORITE.” and every week i was actively not watching (because i feared for the life of my tv. sometimes i forget my tv is not Randy Jackson) i would ask those who were watching only one question “Is Haley still there? She’s my favorite.” But i couldn’t resist watching after awhile. Haley is just too damn good.
Comment by Alisa – June 17, 2011 03:54 PM PDT
Quote:Hahaha I was the same way! I did like her at the beginning, but I wasn’t feeling her Alicia Keys song at all. Then the next week with Blue.. I was sold! “Hell, she can YODEL too?!” It’s still one of my favorites from her, hahaha! Though I’ll be honest, damn near all of them are regulars in my book
Comment by (!) – June 17, 2011 04:06 PM PDT
Me too–it was the Blue song that got me really sit up and take notice. Without a doubt–THE BEST country performance of the season—maybe any season. I almost fell out of my chair when it didn’t get raves. But, it didn’t take long to figure out that TPTB wanted her out
Comment by Lizbeth – June 17, 2011 09:25 PM PDT
Quote:I have been a Haley fan from the beginning. For a while I had several
favorites, but as time went on Haley became my number one favorite.
Then she became my only favorite. Love this girl and am excited to watch her career unfold. I predict stardom.
Comment by Roz – June 17, 2011 10:21 PM PDT
She had me at “.I keep on Fallin innnnnnn innuh outta love” I’ll never forget thinking how bored I was that night and all the contestants were lame, than this little girl comes out and just rips it. Not her best performance, but an incredible vocal nonetheless. I was on the Haley bandwagon from there on out.
Comment by Satchvai – June 18, 2011 07:18 AM PDT [/quote]
Quote:I totally agree, I loved her vocal on Fallin’ & what I really loved was when she air-barfed after Randy Jackass called it karaoke. I just laughed out loud and I was firmly in her corner ever since. I never thought she’d make Top 3, usually when a contestant is in the bottom 3 so many times early on it’s just a matter of time before they’re eliminated. But Hales just kept getting better and better and ending up giving the most memorable performances of season 10, IMHO. I’m still gutted she didn’t make Top 2 because I feel cheated out of more Haley moments.
Comment by Terry – June 18, 2011 01:37 PM PDT
@Satchvai & Terry,
If I wore a hat, it would be off to you both for your foresight! In retrospect, I’m uncomfortable that I didn’t “get” her until “Moanin”.
However, I’m oh so firmly in her camp now. The fluidity, colors, richness, and expressiveness of that amazing voice of hers and her extraordinary sense of musical style simply blow me away.
Terry, I can sympathize with your “gutted” (now there’s a word!) feeling. We were all cheated.
That said, “success is the best revenge.”
Here’s wishing the Lady Reinhart much success!!
Comment by My Alter Ego – June 18, 2011 09:16 PM PDT
Quote:I’ve watched idol since the start (well, I stopped watching at one point ’cause it got very boring) but never, ever have I been so into it and actually track a contestant like I have with Haley! She’s just rad, and there really aren’t many ways to express it.
And man, I love her comments about You Oughta Know (putting the lyrics at the judges) – though I will stand by that I think she blew everyone out of the water with the chorus to that song. I love the Rock side of Haley just as much as her other, numerous facets =P
Comment by (!) – June 17, 2011 02:50 PM PDT
I know every Haley fan has a fav tune (and she had several stunning performances that should have gotten her the win) but for me I think Moanin was the pinnacle of the season. I think it was her greatest performance, the best performance of all the idols this season, and arguably one of the best ever seen on AI. This was the performance that got her first standing O. (and I’m also a huge Casey fan so props to him too for this performance)
I think it was also the performance that turned the season around for her in both good and bad ways. Good in the sense that it was after this performance that people started thinking she really had a shot at winning, and bad in the sense that after this performance is when I believe the Idol producers and judges turned on her.
...I will miss seeing her every week but look forward to following her career.
Comment by Jesse – June 17, 2011 06:21 PM PDT
Quote:Similarly to you, hearing Haley (& Casey) do “Moanin” was my turning point of recognizing Haley’s talent (sorry, folks, that I was so slow getting on board).
But your perception that this performance was a turning point for Haley leaves me feeling, well, “gutted” as Terry said earlier. And I’m gutted because I suspect that you are correct. To paraphrase Michael Slezak, “she’d stayed too long at the party.”
Once Pia and Casey were gone, she really was the best/only real “musical talent” left, and how irritating that must have been for TPTB given the scenario that had been “ordained” early on. She was the burr under a saddle to them. (While I know that I will take flak from the Scotty/Lauren fans, I will state now that I have long considered the phrase “country music” an oxymoron.)
But, despite (or, perhaps, because of) the Lady Reinhart continued to deliver wonderful performances and be a “phoenix” a few times, her audience was treated to even more of her, and for that I’m grateful.
Haley (“little pony”), please, follow through on the Lady G’s words of encouragement and kick a$$ for the rest of your life!
And, in the midst of your music career, if you would record/perform such ditties as “Twisted” (please listen to the Midler version) and/or “Jackie” this fan would be eternally pleased.
Comment by My Alter Ego – June 19, 2011 12:10 AM PDT
Pia has an amazing voice but I could just never relate to her, I think there is such a thing as being too perfect.
Haley, on the other hand, I could totally relate to. The red lipstick massacre, tripping up the stairs, messing up or forgetting lyrics… I found her completely and utterly endearing. Not to mention insanely talented! I really appreciated her diversity and her growth over the course of the show. I have never been as invested in any contestants journey as I was in Haley’s. Thank you for making season 10 interesting Hales, I wish you all the best!!!
Comment by Emma – June 18, 2011 04:09 PM PDT
Quote:You are not the only one who is obsessed over Haley. Imagine I spent the whole night watching her videos from youtube plus watching this interview! And almost everyday I listen to her songs whoa! This is stupid, this is crazy! I’m in love with Haley! Haha! I am looking forward to her first album. I hope nothing is done hastily and every song is polished to perfection. Yes Haley, AI was awesome and it is all because of YOU. Are you single?
Comment by Dean – June 18, 2011 08:56 AM PDT
I don’t know what it is about this girl but she inspires love,admiration, and just all around good wishes for her. She just seems so genuine and talented. I have never downloaded any idol itunes and have never bought any cd’s from an idol. She was the first for itunes and will be the first cd from any idol I will buy. I think maybe we are viewing a future star and I feel invested in her because of the way she was treated.
Comment by lml – June 18, 2011 02:44 PM PDT
Quote:Im a huge huge huge haley reinhart fan from MALAYSIA. Been loving her since she sang FALLIN’ during top 24, and completely LOVED her during her lipstick massacre and You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me… From thereon, i just got so pissed off by her being treated as an underdog or the only punching bag in the competition for the judges. Anyway, glad that you guys (Malaysians) are loving her too! I’ll be THERE at the front row in her concert should she come down to South East Asia! Im so fanatic about her that i never felt this way for ANY artist before. 
Officially REINHARTED!
Comment by andrew – June 19, 2011 02:59 AM PDT
My feelings exactly!
I think Haley has that effect on a lot of people. I’ve never been so invested in an artist as much as I am with Haley right now. Absolutely obsessed. We need to start a Haley Reinhart Malaysian Fan Club! And us South East Asians need to band together to bring her over here!
Comment by Mia – June 19, 2011 03:24 AM PDT
Quote:Hey, count me in. I’m Malaysian too and a huge fan of Haley. I search for her news everyday on various facebook account, AI forum and some websites. Love her even more after this interview. So much love, respect and admiration to her. My only wish for her is, stay true and all the best!
Comment by siaotian – June 19, 2011 04:29 AM PDT
Wow! Hello South East Asian Haliens! I’m not Malaysian but I’m from the Philippines. I totally wish Haley will do a tour here in our region. That would be so awesome!
Comment by jen – June 19, 2011 06:52 AM PDT
Quote:So here is my list of all the things that came together to make Haley so endearing to so many:
1) Voice (unique style, warm tone, raspy, bluesy growl, range, inflections, yoddle)
2) Smile (can light up a room, effortless)
3) Personality (happy-go-lucky attitude, openess, honesty, positive, fun)
4) Strength (conviction, fearlessness)
5) Versatility (can sing well in multiple genres – country, bluesy rock, jazz and pop)
6) Sexappeal (the blond curly locks, fashion sense, figure, cuteness)
7) Nostalgic (gave we baby boomers incredible renditions of old 60s rocknroll, jazz standards, 70s rock and pop classics, 80/90s pop)
8) Empathy (the incredibly harsh judging and lack of any backstory from AI compared to the other contestants that were pimped and given soft judging made us embrace her as an underdog of sorts)
9.) Performance (command of stage, control of voice, draws the crowd in)
Comment by whynotcanada – June 19, 2011 08:47 PM PDT
whynotcanada lists several things that combine to make Haley such a compelling person. It is a good list and I don’t disagree with anything in the list. But I don’t think this list describes what is happening either. There are some artists that come along that have the “it” factor. Nobody knows what “it” is or where “it” comes from but you know “it” when you see “it” and feel “it”, and when you try to analyze “it” it just disappears. Haley has a magic about her that some people connect to. I count myself as one of those people. That is enough for me.
Comment by Jesse – June 19, 2011 10:01 PM PDT
Quote:I call it the “WOW” factor because whenever she entered that special zone, I said wow.
I took the time to download her videos and watched them in order. When you do that it is quite apparent she matured from a talented but raw performer to a dynamic professional and commanding artist. One of the fans above noticed how Casey fed off her energy. Go back and watch the other duets and group videos and you will see they all fed off her energy, especially in the Carol King Medley. And if you will recall Lauren actually came alive and had her best duet with Haley.
Comment by fover10 – June 20, 2011 07:02 AM PDT
As a middle aged bloke I had sort of lost hope (without really realizing it) in finding something new in music that would really engage me. I admit to having had a jaded mindset that the best was already done and in the past – however Benny and the Jets changed that in a couple of moments.. the best is right here, right now!
Comment by Andrew – June 19, 2011 11:09 PM PDT
Quote:(My fiance) watches this show religiously. Whenever she has this show on, it’s usually my cue to leave the room. But for some reason, I decided to watch it with her that night. Call it fate, because this was the night I was put under a spell by an angelic voice that instantly captivated me, gave me goosebumps from head to toe, and reinvigorated my passion for new music. Of course, this voice belongs to Haley Reinhart and that night was results night when she did the “Moanin” duet with Casey.
I became obsessed after that. I searched for every video of Haley on Youtube I can find. My fiance laughed at my obsession at first, but now I think she’s more annoyed and jealous. 
I will regain faith in the music industry if someone signs this magnificent talent to a record deal! I have faith in Haley that once she gets that deal, and she is allowed to do the music she wants to do, she is going to be superstar. She has it all: the voice, the looks (gotta admit is important!), the personality/charisma, and the stage presence… so much confidence and swagger. She has IT. She is a born performer.
Comment by Ray Klein – June 20, 2011 11:47 AM PDT
Beautiful post, Ray. Thanks. It’s always fun to read how people first got hooked by our siren Haley. She had me at “Blue”. I was doing some work on my laptop on the couch, not really watching the TV, sort of half paying attention to the singing. After a bit, her “siren call” moved it’s way into my consciousness and I looked up to pay attention. WOW! I was hooked right then and there. Steven and J-Lo said some nice things about her performance and I was thinking “okay this is good, the judges agree”. And then Randy unleashes his “I thought it was a bit boring.” I seethed. Has that man never heard the song before!!!
Comment by JT – June 20, 2011 03:38 PM PDT
Quote:What a wonderful post Ray. I actually had a tear in my eye reading one of your sentences as it actually described exactly how I felt when I first noticed Haley in her HOTRS performance. I actually walked away from her BATJ performance as I am an Elton John fan from way back and thought that no one can perform BATJ better than Elton himself – I was wrong! After HOTRS, I checked out her BATJ performce on YouTube and was amazed how Haley refreshed the song and made it current. Even my 15 year old son liked it as he always says that I have ‘lame’ musical taste everytime he hears me play Elton in the car!
Comment by OzHaleyFan – June 20, 2011 10:26 PM PDT
