Pia Toscano
Encyclopedia
Pia Ann Rose Toscano is an American
singer from Howard Beach, New York. Toscano placed ninth on the tenth season
of American Idol
. Considered to be a frontrunner in the competition, her elimination came as a shock to judges Randy Jackson
, Jennifer Lopez
, and Steven Tyler
, all of whom were visibly and vocally upset. Some viewers and media outlets described Toscano's departure as one of the most shocking eliminations in American Idol history.
descent. She began performing in talent shows when she was four, and by the time she was nine, had performed in a local church
production of Jesus Christ Superstar
. Toscano was the official National Anthem singer at her middle school, P.S./M.S. 207, and performed at every event including graduation. She attended LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts in New York City
and graduated in 2006. Fellow Idol contestant Karen Rodriguez
also attended this school.
She performed the National Anthem
and "God Bless America
" for the Brooklyn Cyclones
, the Mets’ minor league team, several times a year for three years. In addition, Toscano was the winner of the New York Mets
annual "Anthem Search" competition in 2008 and was selected to sing the National Anthem at a July 2008 game. Toscano has also opened for the Barenaked Ladies
and performed with Josh Groban
at Madison Square Garden.
Prior to Idol, Toscano worked as a make-up artist and as a wedding singer in a band called "Current Affair". She cites her musical influences as Mariah Carey
, Whitney Houston
, Celine Dion
, Etta James
, and Luther Vandross
.
, and was put through to Hollywood, this time making it through to the Top 24. Toscano was eliminated from the competition on April 7, 2011, finishing in ninth place.
on April 8, Live with Regis and Kelly
on April 11, followed by The Today Show on April 12, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show
on April 14. She performed "I'll Stand by You" on the April 26, 2011 episode of Dancing with the Stars. On May 25, Toscano appeared on Rachael Ray
along with Stefano Langone
and Paul McDonald
. Furthermore, Toscano performed the National Anthem and "I'll Stand by You" at the Memorial Day Concert in Washington, DC held on May 29, 2011.
The following summer, Toscano toured with the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2011
, which began in West Valley City, Utah
on July 6, 2011 and ended in Manila
, Philippines
on September 20, 2011.
On July 5, 2011, it was announced that Toscano has officially signed with Interscope Records
. Her debut single titled "This Time
" premiered July 11 and was released digitally on July 13. Toscano performed the single on So You Think You Can Dance
on August 4, Good Morning America
on August 12, followed by a performance on Live with Regis and Kelly on August 16. Her debut album is set to be released in early 2012. Toscano has worked with Rock Mafia
on two songs titled "Counterfeit" and "Dreamgirl" for her upcoming album.
Toscano is currently being managed by 19 Entertainment, alongside fellow Idol contestants Haley Reinhart
and James Durbin
.
On September 11, 2011, Toscano performed "God Bless America" at the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs
game. In addition, Toscano performed "I'll Stand by You" and "This Time" at the Columbus Day
parade in New York City.
On November 27, 2011, Toscano appeared on Disney Channel's
So Random!
where she performed her single This Time.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer from Howard Beach, New York. Toscano placed ninth on the tenth season
American Idol (season 10)
The tenth season of American Idol premiered on January 19, 2011 and concluded on May 25, 2011, on Fox. The show underwent a number of changes from season nine, including the reduction of the judging panel to its original number of just three judges , a returning executive producer, a new music...
of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
. Considered to be a frontrunner in the competition, her elimination came as a shock to judges Randy Jackson
Randy Jackson
Randall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
, Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
, and Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler
Steven Tyler is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the frontman and lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the harmonica, and occasional piano and percussion. He is known as the "Demon of Screamin'", due to his high screams...
, all of whom were visibly and vocally upset. Some viewers and media outlets described Toscano's departure as one of the most shocking eliminations in American Idol history.
Early life
Toscano was born on October 14, 1988, to Jane and Pat Toscano and grew up in Howard Beach, New York. Her father worked as a corporate executive. She is of ItalianItalian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
descent. She began performing in talent shows when she was four, and by the time she was nine, had performed in a local church
Local church
A local church is a Christian congregation of members and clergy.Local church may also refer to:* Local churches , a Christian group based on the teachings of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee, and associated with the Living Stream Ministry publishing house.* Parish church, a local church united with...
production of Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
. Toscano was the official National Anthem singer at her middle school, P.S./M.S. 207, and performed at every event including graduation. She attended LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and graduated in 2006. Fellow Idol contestant Karen Rodriguez
Karen Rodriguez
Karen Rodriguez is an American singer from New York City, New York. Rodriguez placed twelfth on the tenth season of American Idol.-Early life:...
also attended this school.
She performed the National Anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
and "God Bless America
God Bless America
"God Bless America" is an American patriotic song written by Irving Berlin in 1918 and revised by him in 1938. The later version has notably been recorded by Kate Smith, becoming her signature song ....
" for the Brooklyn Cyclones
Brooklyn Cyclones
The Brooklyn Cyclones is a minor league baseball team in the Short-Season A classification New York - Penn League, affiliated with the New York Mets. The Cyclones play at MCU Park just off the Coney Island boardwalk in the New York City borough of Brooklyn....
, the Mets’ minor league team, several times a year for three years. In addition, Toscano was the winner of the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
annual "Anthem Search" competition in 2008 and was selected to sing the National Anthem at a July 2008 game. Toscano has also opened for the Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies is a Canadian alternative rock band. The band is currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart. Barenaked Ladies formed in 1988 in Scarborough, Ontario, then a suburban municipality outside the City of Toronto...
and performed with Josh Groban
Josh Groban
Joshua Winslow "Josh" Groban is an American singer-songwriter, musician, actor, and record producer. His four solo albums have been certified at least multi-platinum, and in 2007, he was charted as the number-one best selling artist in the United States with over 21 million records in that country...
at Madison Square Garden.
Prior to Idol, Toscano worked as a make-up artist and as a wedding singer in a band called "Current Affair". She cites her musical influences as Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, Celine Dion
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
, Etta James
Etta James
Etta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer...
, and Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross
Luther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
.
American Idol
Toscano auditioned for Idol four times before. She made it through to Hollywood in season 6, but did not continue further. In 2010, she auditioned for the tenth season of American Idol in East Rutherford, New JerseyEast Rutherford, New Jersey
East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan....
, and was put through to Hollywood, this time making it through to the Top 24. Toscano was eliminated from the competition on April 7, 2011, finishing in ninth place.
Performances/results
| Episode | Theme | Song choice | Original artist | Order # | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | Auditioner's Choice | "Until You Come Back To Me" | Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist... |
N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | First Solo | Not aired | N/A | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | Group Performance | "Grenade Grenade (song) "Grenade" is a song performed by American singer-songwriter and producer Bruno Mars from his debut studio album Doo-Wops & Hooligans. Initially released as a promotional single on September 28, 2010, it was later announced to be the album's second single... " |
Bruno Mars Bruno Mars Peter Gene Hernandez , better known by his stage name Bruno Mars, is an Filipino-American singer-songwriter and record producer. Raised in Honolulu, Hawaii by a family of musicians, Mars began making music at a young age... |
N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | Second Solo | Not aired | N/A | N/A | Advanced |
| Las Vegas Round | Songs of The Beatles Group Performance | "Can't Buy Me Love Can't Buy Me Love "Can't Buy Me Love" is a song composed by Paul McCartney and released by The Beatles on the A-side of their sixth British single, "Can't Buy Me Love"/"You Can't Do That".-Interpretation:... " |
The Beatles The Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr... |
N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood Round Final | Final Solo | "Doesn't Mean Anything Doesn't Mean Anything "Doesn't Mean Anything" is a song by American recording artist Alicia Keys. It written and produced by Keys and longtime partner Kerry "Krucial" Brothers for her fourth studio album, The Element of Freedom , with its lyrics speaking about the importance of love against materialism and fake... " |
Alicia Keys Alicia Keys Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano... |
N/A | Advanced |
| Top 24 (12 Females) | Personal Choice | "I'll Stand by You I'll Stand by You "I'll Stand by You" is a 1994 song recorded by The Pretenders from their sixth studio album, Last of the Independents. Written by Chrissie Hynde in collaboration with the songwriting team of Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg , it was the Pretenders' most recent significant hit single, and their last... " |
The Pretenders The Pretenders The Pretenders are an English rock band formed in Hereford, England in March 1978. The original band consisted of initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde , James Honeyman-Scott , Pete Farndon , and Martin Chambers... |
12 | Advanced |
| Top 13 | Your Personal Idol | "All by Myself All by Myself "All by Myself" is a power ballad written and performed by Eric Carmen in 1975.The verse is based on the second movement of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Opus 18... " |
Eric Carmen Eric Carmen Eric Howard Carmen is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist.He scored numerous hit songs across the 1970s and 1980s, first as a member of the Raspberries , and then with his solo career, including hits such as "All By Myself", "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again", "She Did It",... |
5 | Safe |
| Top 12 | Year You Were Born | "Where Do Broken Hearts Go Where Do Broken Hearts Go "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" is the fourth single from Whitney Houston's second album, Whitney. The ballad was released in February 1988. The song was written by Frank Wildhorn and Chuck Jackson. Wildhorn approached Jackson about the opportunity to write for Whitney Houston... " |
Whitney Houston Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among... |
7 | Safe |
| Top 11 | Motown | "All in Love Is Fair Innervisions Innervisions is the sixteenth album by American musician Stevie Wonder, released August 3, 1973 on Motown Records; a landmark recording of his "classic period"... " |
Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist... |
8 | Safe |
| Top 11 | Elton John Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor... |
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is the first single from British musician Elton John's 1974 album Caribou; it was released that year during the latter half of May in the United Kingdom, and on 10 June in the United States.-Lyrics and music:... " |
Elton John | 4 | Safe |
| Top 9 | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame | "River Deep – Mountain High" | Ike & Tina Turner Ike & Tina Turner Ike & Tina Turner were an American rock & roll and soul duo, made of the husband-and-wife team of Ike Turner and Tina Turner in the 1960s and 1970s. Spanning sixteen years together as a recording group, the duo's repertoire included rock & roll, soul, blues and funk... |
7 | Eliminated |
- Due to the judges using their one save on Casey AbramsCasey AbramsCasey Abrams is an American musician from Idyllwild, California who finished in sixth place on the tenth season of American Idol. He was eliminated from the competition on April 28, 2011, five weeks after being saved from elimination by the judges.-Early life:Abrams was born on February 12, 1991...
, the Top 11 remained intact for another week.
2011–present: First studio album
Following her elimination, Toscano appeared on several talk shows. She performed on The Tonight Show with Jay LenoThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jay Leno that initially aired from May 25, 1992 to May 29, 2009, and resumed production on March 1, 2010. The fourth incarnation of the Tonight Show franchise made its debut on May 25, 1992, three days following Johnny...
on April 8, Live with Regis and Kelly
Live with Regis and Kelly
Live! with Kelly is a syndicated American television morning talk show, hosted by Kelly Ripa. The show has aired since 1983 in New York City and 1988 nationwide. Tony Pigg has been the show's announcer since its inception...
on April 11, followed by The Today Show on April 12, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
on April 14. She performed "I'll Stand by You" on the April 26, 2011 episode of Dancing with the Stars. On May 25, Toscano appeared on Rachael Ray
Rachael Ray (TV series)
Rachael Ray, also known as The Rachael Ray Show, is a talk show starring Rachael Ray that debuted in syndication in the United States and Canada on September 18, 2006....
along with Stefano Langone
Stefano Langone
Stefano Langone is an American singer from Kent, Washington. Langone placed seventh on the tenth season of American Idol.-Early life:...
and Paul McDonald
Paul McDonald (musician)
Paul McDonald is an American singer-songwriter from Huntsville, Alabama, who as of 2011 resides in Nashville, Tennessee...
. Furthermore, Toscano performed the National Anthem and "I'll Stand by You" at the Memorial Day Concert in Washington, DC held on May 29, 2011.
The following summer, Toscano toured with the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2011
American Idols LIVE! Tour 2011
The American Idols LIVE! Tour 2011 is a summer concert tour in the United States, Canada and The Philippines that features the Top 11 contestants of the tenth season of American Idol. The 49-date tour started in West Valley City, Utah, on July 6, and its North American leg will end in Rochester,...
, which began in West Valley City, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
on July 6, 2011 and ended in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
on September 20, 2011.
On July 5, 2011, it was announced that Toscano has officially signed with Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
. Her debut single titled "This Time
This Time (Pia Toscano song)
"This Time" is the debut single of American recording artist and American Idol season 10 finalist, Pia Toscano.-Promotion:The song was first performed on the American Idol tour in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 5, 2011. It was premiered on On Air with Ryan Seacrest on July 11, 2011 and digitally...
" premiered July 11 and was released digitally on July 13. Toscano performed the single on So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)
So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition and reality show that airs on Fox in the United States.The series first premiered on July 20, 2005, and was created by American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and is produced by 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions...
on August 4, Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
on August 12, followed by a performance on Live with Regis and Kelly on August 16. Her debut album is set to be released in early 2012. Toscano has worked with Rock Mafia
Rock Mafia
Rock Mafia is a record production/songwriting team, consisting of Tim James and Antonina Armato, who are credited for writing and producing a great number of top pop and rock artists beginning in the early 2000s such as Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Selena Gomez, Demi...
on two songs titled "Counterfeit" and "Dreamgirl" for her upcoming album.
Toscano is currently being managed by 19 Entertainment, alongside fellow Idol contestants Haley Reinhart
Haley Reinhart
Haley Reinhart is an American singer from Wheeling, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois who placed third in the tenth season of American Idol. Reinhart is currently signed to 19 and Interscope Records.-Early life:...
and James Durbin
James Durbin (singer)
James Durbin is an American rock singer and guitar player from Santa Cruz, California, who finished in fourth place on the tenth season of American Idol.-Early life:...
.
On September 11, 2011, Toscano performed "God Bless America" at the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
game. In addition, Toscano performed "I'll Stand by You" and "This Time" at the Columbus Day
Columbus Day
Many countries in the New World and elsewhere celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492, as an official holiday...
parade in New York City.
On November 27, 2011, Toscano appeared on Disney Channel's
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
So Random!
So Random!
So Random! is an American Disney Channel sketch comedy series that premiered on June 5, 2011. It was announced as an independent series after Demi Lovato left the parent series, Sonny with a Chance...
where she performed her single This Time.
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
|||
| 2011 | "This Time This Time (Pia Toscano song) "This Time" is the debut single of American recording artist and American Idol season 10 finalist, Pia Toscano.-Promotion:The song was first performed on the American Idol tour in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 5, 2011. It was premiered on On Air with Ryan Seacrest on July 11, 2011 and digitally... " |
104 | TBD |
External links
- Official Site
- Pia Toscano on American IdolAmerican IdolAmerican Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
- Official Myspace
- Pia Toscano discography at Discogs.com