Grin and bare it! American Idol's Haley Reinhart smiles through wardrobe malfunction

A wardrobe malfunction can make or break a star, so it's perhaps a promising sign that American Idol runner up Haley Reinhart smiled through her first embarrassing reveal yesterday.

The 20-year-old came a cropper in New York when a gust of wind lifted up her skirt as she entered the MTV building.

Haley, who came third in this year's competition, revealed more than she surely would've liked in front of the ever-present paparazzi.

Smiling through it: Haley Reinhart revealed more than she planned in New York yesterday

Smiling through it: Haley Reinhart revealed more than she planned in New York yesterday

Candid camera: The American Idol runner-up had no chance to protect her modesty

Candid camera: The American Idol runner-up had no chance to protect her modesty

But a billowing skirt never did Marilyn Monroe any harm, and Haley seemed to take the mishap - quite literally - in her stride.

Reinhart, who was raised in suburb of Chicago, still has fame firmly in her sights, after all.

Despite her third-placing, the songbird is the only contestant from the show who can boast over a million hits on You Tube, for her cover of Adele's Rolling in the Deep.

Reinhart, who cut her teeth singing with her parents in the band Midnight, also earned three standing ovations from the judges and told E! online that she saw her exit as a positive move.

Candid camera: The American Idol runner-up had no chance to protect her modesty

Candid camera: The American Idol runner-up had no chance to protect her modesty

Class act: Reinhart duetted with Tony Bennett on the May 25 finale

Class act: Reinhart duetted with Tony Bennett on the May 25 finale

Safe option: Lauren Alaina opted for a modest and element cheating maxi dress in New York today

Safe option: Lauren Alaina opted for a modest and element cheating maxi dress in New York today

She said:'I was never angry... all along I accepted it very quickly and took it in, took it all with a grain of salt.'

'Everything happens for a reason, and this is a good thing that happened. It only means I'm going to start my career as a solo artist even sooner.'

Undaunted, she was back for the finale on May 25, where she wowed in a duet of Steppin' Out with My Baby with legendary crooner Tony Bennett.

There's yet to be a first single from Reinhart, however, whereas runner up Lauren Alaina, 16 , has had a hit with Like My Mother Does, which charted in eigth place on iTunes' list of top-selling tracks, with winner Scotty McCreery's I Love You This Big at number three.

Georgia native Alaina was in New York today taking meetings, though proved unflappable in her maxi-dress - a canny way to beat the gusts.

Night out: American Idol winner Scotty McCreery along with Lauren and Haley pose with Broadway Spider-Man cast member Reeve Carney

Night out: American Idol winner Scotty McCreery along with Lauren and Haley pose with Broadway Spider-Man cast member Reeve Carney









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