'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 Gene Hardwick

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ok so basicly they were content with Stefano getting kicked off?? lol must make him feel real real good..

By mimsysc

Beautiful voice,, beautiful girl,, no energy,, cannot "rock" a song from what I have seen on idol. Ballads are her thing, stand still, ballad.

By A-Fan

This show is getting to be joke Seacrest said it himself the last (2)weeks the votes were at there lowest in three years so what do they do they take one of the favorites boot them off and then say its our falt for not voting.So now everyone thinks they better vote or there favorite will be next.
(it's all about the ratings or they make money off the voting)
watch next week they'll have record breaking votes.
They don't care because Pia will go on tour she already got a deal if she makes it she makes it,if not its more then what she had. I liked her she was my favorite.
Good Luck to you Pia you'll make it

By mw

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Pia might be bigger than the winner. Haley should have gone home. She is smug and thinks she is better than everyone else. Don't like her. A guy will win again this year.

By cchucklest1

i thought she was much better than some that were kept on.

By Peter DeMauro

The voting system definitely needs to change. You can vote only fifty times on-line, then text fifty and then call in fifty. If you can only vote for one less person then there are contestants, if there are nine people then you get eight votes for only those you want to keep. Pia was the best and will be more popular then the winner. I wish her lots of luck.

By bgjim

Pia your gonna GROW!!!! for sure Wish i was going to be the booking agent Dang it!

By dave

She deserves this, she was my winner and with what is left, outside of the rocker, none of the remaining eight will survive with a career like Kelly or Carrie but Pia will. I can see the Top 2 winners this year as one and done and join the others who had record deals then get dropped.

Sunday 10 April

By New York

With Pia gone, whoever wins this year will go the way of Reuben Studdard & Chris Allen. Nowhere. They just do not have what it takes.

By tim

A RECORD CONTRACT???? I hope its for story telling because her singing is mediocre at best. Attractive, but weak voice.

By shf

Yes, Pia is AWESOME, and will sell more than any other idol this year... the only other one in her league this year is James. Yes, the voting rules need to change, and I like others will refrain from watch AI until they do (I'll watch those I like individually on the web). I can't wait for Pia's album!!!!!
I hope EW has Pia on the cover next week!!!

By DD

FIONA....

All what you are saying about Pia, is the result of your envied of her. You are showing that, and I am very sorry for you, because your suffering is grate. Your jealousy is like bug that is eating your heart. I am just asking you, what that girl has done to you? For you to hate her, and talk about her that way?
Is it because she is beautiful, and talented? Why don't you try to sing, and do what she is doing? Everybody, that is not jealous, is congratulating her, but not you. Shame on you for your jealousy
.

By froggy

fiona, jealous much? Take a little time to learn to spell. It might help YOUR self esteem.

By wufinz

DD
I guess your musical training and years of experience as a vocal coach and industry know how mean that YOUR opinion is the only valid one? You are clearly someone who likes loud and bland voices. The girl had no engaging attitude (I HATE Mick Jagger, but he can PERFORM and PUT ACROSS what he sings). Her voice was adequate good--better than most folk, but nothing special--and she DID nothing with it to make it special. She COPIED others. Basically, we've been there and heard that--we don't need a carbon copy singer (unless it is yet another Elvis impersonator . . . ). THey TOLD her she needed to do something dofferent; clearly she CANNOT. End of story

MW You don't like Pia, because she is beautiful, and talented.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

uh, maybe some folk didnt like her because they didn't like that she did every song exactly the same way and never showed the ability to mix it up/change her performance to be INTERESTING and DIFFERENT.

TIM

Why don't you go, and replace Pia? You will be the winner of AI.
Ha ha ha !!!

By Casi

People vote for the contestant they hope will win. Pia seemed
too conceited and too professional to be on Idol. I never would
have voted for her because just as it is known, she was good enough to get a contract without winning Idol.

By Peasy

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I will be first in line to buy Pia's CD. She is the ONLY contestant that truly has talent. I think the judges have to take some responsibility for this one and can't blame it all on America not voting. If they would act more like JUDGES and less like CHEERLEADERS, they never would've wasted their 'save' on Casey. They wanted America to hear the Casey that they heard in Vegas. I remember back in the day, when Simon said, they BETTER be ready to bring everything to the A.I. stage, that they brought during Hollywood week or they'd soon be gone. Okay, so Casey was saved and they couldn't save a superior singer like Pia. And we've supposedly heard the Casey they wanted us to hear since they saved him, guess what, he's still nothing special and Pia could sing circles around him on her worst day. And don't even get me started on Haley still being there and the judges love affair with her and her fake raspy-ness that she insists on adding to EVERY word she sings. All I can say is I REALLY miss Simon...

By KingRob88

She has a good voice but was a bad performer. She moves awkward on stage. She would do OK on the radio but when you judge her performance you can't help but notice she has no rythm.

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