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American Idol eliminee Haley Reinhart has said that obstacles she faced on the show have only made her "stronger".



The season ten finalist narrowly missed a place in the final two when she was sent home from the Fox competition last week.

During an appearance on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show this morning, she was asked about the "rollercoaster" journey she went on during her time on the programme.

"It only makes me stronger and adds ten million layers to my skin," she replied. "In all actuality it's probably the best thing for me to get out into the real world and face a number of different obstacles."

As for how she feels now that her elimination has sunk in, she said: "It's all happiness and glee over here on my end. I'm actually very excited about the future and this has just been such a great platform and such a good start to everything that is to come."

Reinhart's final week on American Idol saw her performing three tracks: Led Zeppelin's 'What Is And What Should Never Be', chosen by herself, ''You Oughta Know' by Alanis Morrisette, chosen by the judges, and 'Rhiannon' by Fleetwood Mac, chosen by in-house mentor Jimmy Iovine.

She will join the rest of the Top 11 on this summer's American Idols Live! tour, which kicks off in West Valley City, UT on July 6.

Her elimination, after a record-breaking 95 million votes were cast, means that the show will broadcast its youngest-ever finale this week, as 16-year-old Lauren Alaina and 17-year-old Scotty McCreery battle for the title.

American Idol airs its two-night finale Tuesday and Wednesday on Fox.