Haley Reinhart returned to American Idol earlier this season as a mentor during Hollywood Week, and she says the experience reminded her how much she enjoys guiding emerging singers. In a recent interview with OK Magazine, she reflected on how the show launched her career and expressed a desire to take on a judging role on talent programs like American Idol or The Voice.
Looking back at her time as a contestant on American Idol season 10 in 2011, Haley explained that the show “gave me a jump start into the music biz.” Before Idol she had been performing with several bands around Chicagoland, and the exposure led to major changes: a full team, a record label, and relocating to Los Angeles to pursue her career full time. She called returning to mentor contestants “a real full circle moment,” enjoying the chance to support newer artists as they take their first big steps.
Haley also brought her vocal talents to the fashion world, performing at SHEIN’s second annual Rock The Runway: SHEIN for All show, which highlighted the brand’s Fall-Winter 2022 collections. She performed on Sunday, September 25, adding another live engagement to a year that has seen her balance recording, touring, and special appearances.
I would love to be a judge on a singing show, especially American Idol or The Voice.
Haley has been thinking about serving as a judge for several years. “I would love to be a judge on a singing show, especially American Idol or The Voice,” she told the magazine. She emphasized that she enjoys offering constructive criticism and encouraging artists to embrace whatever makes them authentic. For Haley, mentorship is about helping performers realize their strengths and guiding them to present their truest selves on stage and in their recordings.
As an independent artist, Haley highlighted the importance of building a dedicated team. “I’m a fully independent artist, with an amazing team behind me that I’ve built over the years,” she said, noting how rewarding it is to grow creatively and professionally while retaining artistic control. She encourages other artists to recognize the power they possess and to pursue their full potential.
Her approach to performance and recording is wholehearted and personal. “I will always be unabashedly myself and leave it all on the stage and on my albums,” Haley explained. She hopes her music and videos inspire listeners to chase big goals and to push beyond perceived limits.
Haley is currently touring in support of her latest EP
Haley is currently on a nationwide tour in support of her latest EP, Off the Ground. Touring has given her the chance to bring new material to life, connect with fans, and refine songs through live performance. “It’s been an absolute blast playing the new songs live with my killer band that I like to call ‘The Boys,’” she said. Performing regularly keeps her voice sharp and offers immediate feedback from audiences across the country.
At this stage of her career Haley says she has already checked off several goals from her dream list, but she continues to set new targets. Among the ambitions she still hopes to achieve are singing a James Bond theme song, taking on more acting roles, doing additional voice-over work, and someday winning a Grammy. These goals reflect the range of creative interests she pursues, from recording and live shows to screen performances and voice acting.
Her professional credits include voicing the middle child Bill on the Netflix animated series F is for Family and appearing in the Netflix movie We Can Be Heroes. In 2015, her delicate cover of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” was featured in a moving advertisement for Extra Gum. The rendition went viral and has remained a popular audio choice for short-form video platforms; the song has continued to resurface in user-generated content, including its recent use as music in a personal wedding reel shared by Britney Spears.
Haley Reinhart’s journey from a Midwestern performer to an independent artist based in Los Angeles shows the lasting impact of early opportunities like American Idol. She blends live performance, recorded work, and screen roles while mentoring others and pursuing new creative milestones. Whether on a stage, in the studio, or offering guidance to rising singers, she remains focused on authenticity and growth.