'Idol' May Not Even Allow Pia Toscano to Release CD

By Rob Shuter Posted Apr 11th 2011 11:00AM

Just days after getting voted off 'American Idol' in shocking fashion, songstress Pia Toscano reportedly snapped up a record deal with Interscope Records, but sources tell me nothing has been signed as management looks into whether 19 Entertainment will allow her to release anything at all.

"When you compete on 'Idol,' you must sign one of the strictest contracts in the business," a former 'AI' contestant tells me. "Not only does 'Idol' own you for the entire show and live tour that follows, it also controls everything you can do professionally for a long period after that."

That means that 19 Entertainment has first crack at every artist.

Pia's rep told E! News over the weekend that all the talk about a done deal is "all rumor," but it's completely true that Interscope has big plans for the Queens native, if only they can get their hands on her.

As previously reported, Interscope is already calling every top songwriter and producer to get an album together and rush-release it before the end of the season, but none of this matters unless 'Idol' allows her to do it.

"No way do the producers want a contestant who was kicked off having a hit record when the winner hasn't even been announced yet," another 'Idol' insider tells me. "The first hit song has always been from the winner and this year will be no different."

If you start having singers who were voted off charting before the show has wrapped, then the entire process loses credibility, my source contends.

"This is about protecting the brand, not about protecting Pia," the insider says. "She can record as many songs as she wants, but 'Idol' will refuse to allow them to be released for now until the show is over."

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Tags: American Idol, Pia Toscano

Comments

(71)

Tuesday 07 June

By Maria

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each and everyone have their own talents. thanks for the american idol that entertains us every year. jl may not please everyone for her way of judging. i like thia but she was eliminated already. i think scootie have a unique kind of voice. those kids are trying their best, but ai only needs 1 winner. lets support american idol every year for the kids not for ourself. we have so many good singers here in america. God Bless america.

Tuesday 12 April

By DD

Please people! Really??? Your getting way to wrapped up in this. How many of ALL contestants, even from the past do you remember or have a cd out? Only a handful have had great success and rightfully so cuz of great talent. But everyone signed the same dang contract with dollar signs in their eyes. This is not a right to be rich or win just cuz they made it on idol. Buy a lottery ticket, you have just as good a chance. And shame on the underage kids' parents for signing their life away.

By Lynn

If it werent for AI none of these "artists" would have an opportunity to be seen.

By Dina

I have been watching idol since season 1, and this year has been great everyone deserves to go forth with their dream. I have read and agree with idol to protect the remaining contestants, only because yes it would not be fair to have someone release a record before the winner is selected, as much as I agree she has great talent. In turn they all have a chance to make it big in the music industry. Many other winners have not gone far with their dream, some who did not win have made it big and this is not only for those who win but for those who have it in them to continue and make a goal of it. Idol is doing a great job giving these kids a chance to be seen and heard. What they do from there is entirely up to them and the talent they have. but in the mean time there are rules to follow before the winner is announced and for that I agree not to have any records released prior to the winner of idol season 10 is picked.

By madeline reed

I had narrowed it down to Scotty , Jacob, and Pia although I think James is great and Haley is also good. The judges had the chance to save Pia if they hadn't saved Casey who I didn't think was all that great. It's a popularity show. That's how Taylor Hicks won. The judges should have a 50% vote.

By Sherry

Pia leaving had nothing to do with the show...the judges,producers did not vote her off, America did. If you did not want her to leave vote for her.
Pia was told that she had to step it up because she was boring.
Since Idol gave her a shot at the music world it should be on their terms to let her release a CD at this time.

You people that are saying that you will never watch Idol again because of Pia getting voted off...Really....How are you like 10
It is a show. If you wanted Pia to win you should have not given up on calling in.

By Ray

I thought IDOL was rigged a couple of years ago. Last year certainly showed it but,this year ..........Give me a break!!

PIA was without question the best week after week.They did me a favor showing just how rigged it is early!!

Wednesday 13 April

By alexis

IDOL is like the Romans watching lions eat gladiators. It sucks on sooooo many levels and expertly points out the true evils of American society. No wonder other countries have no problem with seeing this country get blown off the world landscape. Travel, ask anyone you meet. We used to be respected, not anymore. This show points out why.

By aerohobo

Funny how they forget the rules! First they were just happy to get picked to go to the firt round. Pia would have never been noticed had it not been for AI. Now she needs to wait. Of course all the excitement about her will probably die down by then but she got her "15 minutes."

Sunday 29 May

By Darlene

There has to be a better way of voting. Look at the 10 year results. Grammy winners? Maybe one or two. What happened to the rest? They vote for gender, color or who knows. Adam Lambert was great but he was gay could not vote for him. Crystal also. Need to some one to override the votes for talent.
Just my opinion.

Same as Dancing with the stars, popularity contest.

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