It's probably going to take more than a sore throat to stop Lauren Alaina.
A report that the 16-year-old may not be able to sing in the American Idol finals tonight, thereby paving the way for Haley Reinhart's return, is "highly exaggerated," a show source assures E! News.
But, alas, they're not out of the woods yet.
Haley is standing by, just in case Lauren can't go on, an insider tells us. The finalists are supposed to sing three songs tonight, but she struggled through her second number during rehearsal and was unable to practice her third.
The source says that a doctor examined Lauren on set and producers think she'll be able to proceed, but apparently nothing is for sure right this second.
Though Haley's elimination last week was a tough one, it would be pretty heartbreaking to see Lauren go down like this.
If she does make it, however, we'll be listening for hoarseness, but we also won't be surprised if her voice sounds like it always does--mature, full of emotion and country strong.
--Additional reporting by Ken Baker
WATCH: Lauren lit up the stage last week
(Originally published May 24, 2011, at 4:32 p.m. PT)