'Idol' Castoff Pia Toscano: A Record Deal Already?

By Christine Fenno Posted Apr 9th 2011 11:27AM

As a season 10 standout, she was a favorite finalist among judges, and countless 'American Idol' fans expressed shock over singer Pia Toscano's elimination this week.

But while her former competitors on the hit series keep on warbling for votes, Toscano has moved at lightning speed to capitalize on her new fame, and make her mark in the music industry.

The New York native, 22, is reportedly entering the recording studio as soon as possible to lay down tracks on a debut album, thanks to a brand new contract with Jimmy Iovine's Interscope label.

"Pia is being signed to a deal with Interscope Records, who are rushing her into the studio to record an album ASAP," an insider tells Us.

"Starting [Thursday] night, after the show, Interscope told her they wanted her, and first thing [Friday] morning, Interscope brass started calling every top songwriter and producer in town to get an album together and rush release it," says the source, adding, "Papers are being finalized. It's basically a done deal. She's signing. They rushed everything, but she's so excited."

"I have no idea what just happened here," Jennifer Lopez said on Thursday's broadcast, after the tally of votes sent Toscano packing. And Lopez wasn't the only one stunned by the results episode.

"I'm never upset on this show, and I'm never really mad," veteran judge Randy Jackson said about the singer who many considered a contender for the season 10 crown. "But this makes me mad."

Tags: American Idol, pia toscano

Comments

(228)

Saturday 09 April

By maddogg

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Hello Pia; You are a beautiful soul.

I am very Happy for you and you are deserving of your efforts I knew you were not going to slip away you are a very good singer. Good Luck to you in your future.

By vickie

I knew this was a blessing in disguise for PIA...the big shots know she is one of the best and she is just getting started....I can't wait to buy her CD.....!!!!!!yeah....

By Tino Romeo

Excellent Pia Happy you got a Deal Knew you would.
Good-Luck with all you do I will look out for your Next Recording.

All the Best
TR....

Monday 11 April

By mjr

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dido she will use american idol to open doors and be very successfull

Sunday 10 April

By Sharon

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She screams she does not sing I can't wait to see how many of u people will buy her music...

By Frank N. Stein

I called this one! As soon as I saw the announcement that she was leaving, I said, "That means she doesn't have to wait until the winner releases their album. She can start on her's right away and release it this summer."

By Wayne

Pia is not only beautiful, she has a fantastic voice. I see her as the next Hollywood singing star.

By Kat2988

I hope this is true and AOL isn't misreporting the facts as they usually do, get it straight and let us know, we want her album asap, she is fabulous!

By sue

If it is true she can't even release it until Idol tells her she can. I think they are under contract with Idol until after the summer tour. There are all kinds of rules and regulations they have to follow for as long as they are under that contract.

By fiona

She may be good but she's not fabulous. There are very few overnight sensations, naturally, and Pia has yet to pay her dues and develope a true sound or style. She's Celine Dion Lite, as evidenced by her performance of 'River Deep'. It was Celine's version almost to a T, not Tina Turner's. Sure you strike while the iron is hot in show biz but her talent is seriously underdeveloped. They'd be throwing her to the lions. These producers are only looking at her as a fast buck...and if she had a good agent he/she would know when the time was right for her.
The show has hit some new lows this year and the judging has to be at the bottom of that list. Pia would still be around had they not wasted that save on Casey. The save meant he is worthy of being the next American Idol, and anybody who can recognize really good talent would know that simply is not the case.

By New York

Sorry fiona but I have to disagree with you. Pia IS fabulous & I think she will go the way of Daughtry & Jennifer Hudson. Many others feel the same. Pia is a rising star. I wish her all the very best.

By mendi

@ Sue-- Yes there ARE under contract with Idol until after the Concert season. It used to be a full year they couldn't do anything, but it was changed. You are correct. I figure that several of these "non winners" this year will get contracts. I also think quite a number of them will do a heckova lot better then some so called past "winners". Those people should not have won, I won't name names. But, due to their winning it makes you question the vailidty of it all when the person who came in 2nd or 3rd is doing BETTER.

By Faith

Steven Tyler you got it wrong and your one of my favorite singers. It's not America's mistake. American Idol has set up the rules. We vote on our favorites and the rest happens. Pia is a wonderful singer but the rules of America Idol are not set up for perfect endings. People just vote on their favorites.

By absolutelyfact

Faith...you got that right! You hit it right on the nail...bullseye! Absolutely right...america did not get it wrong! We just vote on our favorites! It's the way the ball bounces! Good wishes and best of luck to Pia!!

By cheryl

THE JUDGES GOT IT WRONG !!! When they used their "SAVE" card on
dirty beard guy...... who couldn't get a job in a DARK BACKSTREET BAR
!! PRAYING FOR YOU PIA !! You reminded me of Kelly Clarkson....
You - Kelly - and Clay Aiken are the only reasons I watch A. I. You
Go Girl !!!

By Frank

I think voters should vote one time only for the person they WANT TO LEAVE the show, not who they want to stay.

you are wrong...some people thought she was safe so they gave their votes to another one...I did it before.....I knew carrie underwood was going to win it ...it happens all the time...Also some people vote for whoever was sitting in the 3 chairs going home...So this week I might vote for stefano...get it???It's not right, but that's what happens...the voting system needs to change...10 votes per phone line ,that's it...no texting 100's of times....

By Mo Jones

Not enough people voted! We all thought Pia was safe and didn't vote this time (including myself) that was her downfall. I think the judges should have a little more say in the overall vote!! As Ryan Seacrest said on his radio show the last (2) weeks were the least amount of votes cast in 3 years. Good Luck Pia!!

By cathy

That's right! America didn't get it wrong, the judges did when they used their save TOO SOON! Casey is OK but they should of had some forsight and waited to see if one of the big talents like Pia or James was mistakenly voted off!

By nadin

Faith, I agree, when we vote its not on who performed the best for that day, basically, we vote for someone from our home town, school what ever reason, but not the best performance. Pia would have been like Carrie Underwood, and blaze a trail of success. I am very happy she got a contract. But she was one the I look forward to hearing every week.I must say the talent this is terrific, and still she stood out as the best one.

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