Former American Idol contestant Haley Reinhart has been arrested and charged with one count of battery.

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Reinhart, who finished in third place on Season 10 of American Idol in 2011, was arrested early Saturday morning for battery after allegedly punching a bouncer at an Illinois bar, People reported.

Reinhart, 26, was reportedly taken into custody around 2AM in Palatine, IL, and has a court date scheduled for August 2.

According to a police report obtained by People, authorities arrived at the suburban Chicago pub called Lamplighter Inn after security staff reported that several customers were kicked out of the bar for knocking over a table.

When Reinhart and her group were asked to leave, she allegedly began fighting with a security guard and punched him in the face.

The singer's attorney Dina LaPolt, however, has shared a completely different side of the story.

"Without provocation, Haley Reinhart was assaulted by bouncers at the Lamplighter Inn. After forcefully removing Ms. Reinhart, they violently beat her friend, who sustained multiple injuries," LaPolt explained to the magazine.

"We believe that she will be exonerated of all charges once the investigation is completed. We plan on taking legal action against all those who were involved in this unfortunate incident."

Reinhart is a memorable contestant from American Idol, especially when she sang her rendition of "Bennie and the Jets."

She claimed third place behind runner-up Lauren Alaina and winner Scotty McCreery, who both went on to have successful country music careers.

"Oh my, this is the biggest platform any girl -- anybody -- could ask for, and I rocked it out and I had a blast," Reinhart said following her ouster from the American Idol season. "This is only the beginning and I thank you guys all so very much."

Reinhart said during the same broadcast that singing was "the only thing" she could picture doing for the rest of her life.

Interscope Records announced two months later in July 2011 that Reinhart had inked a recording deal. Reinhart gushed at the time she "always dreamed of getting this kind of recognition" for her music and was "very thankful" for the opportunity.

Reinhart currently appears in Netflix's F Is for Family.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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