Pia Toscano eliminated early on 'Idol'; fabric of the universe remains surprisingly intact [Poll]
Shock. Surprise. Disbelief. Tears. In the drama department, no news this week compared with Thursday night's ninth-place elimination of the lovely and talented Pia Toscano from "American Idol."
The judges were left angry (Randy Jackson), teary (Jennifer Lopez), and insultingly cranky (Steven Tyler, who said, "I don't know, America. A mistake is one thing, but a lack of passion is unforgivable"). Show Tracker called it the "saddest night" ever on "Idol." Even Tom Hanks -- c'mon, dude, have you ever actually cast an "AI" vote? -- registered his disbelief.
The elimination was apparently so apocalyptic in person that a Los Angeles audience usually hell-bent on leaving the Idoldome stayed to watch the sobbing group hug, according to MJ's Big Blog.
"I couldn't even breathe at that moment, so the fact that I could get anything out was a miracle," Toscano told MJ backstage, describing her goodbye performance of "I'll Stand By You."
Some observers blamed the judges for being too easy on Toscano along the way, though it was fairly clear that she was being encouraged to bring her stage presence up to the level of her voice. Others saw it as proof that the voting isn't rigged to keep judges' favorites around as long as possible. And someone must have had an opinion on the role of those Gwen Stefani poufy-booty pants.
"After my performance I felt something weird," Toscano said Friday. "I said to my parents, 'I kind of feel like I'm going to be in the bottom three tomorrow.'" Despite that internal early warning system, she wound up being escorted off stage by two medics, according to E! News.
The Ministry itself will now pause for readers to take a ballad-worthy moment of silence; distraught Glenn Beck fans may choose to use this moment for their own grief.
Are you among the shocked masses, or perhaps one of the jaded few who called it? Maybe just someone who watched "Vampire Diaries" instead? Emote all you want in comments.
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-- Christie D'Zurilla
Photo: Pia Toscano performs on "American Idol" on March 9, 2011. Credit: Ray Mickshaw / Fox / Associated Press
Isn't there any true justice out there. I feel Paul should've been voted off a long long time ago. Even before the top 12.
Posted by: Bear | Apr 08, 2011 at 02:39 PM
I picked Pia to win it all early in the competition. This is absurd and a falicy in the voting. If you hadn't saved Casey (and you shouldn't - you should have realized then that he wasn't a first place winner), you could have saved Pia. I think the voting should be:
1/3 Judges
1/3 Phone calls
1/3 Audience support
If you leave the voting the same, you should change your system so only 1 vote can be made from a phone number.
Once Scotty goes, you can shove it. I picked him and Pia in the final two.
Change the rules and get Pia back in or you are going to lose a lot of fans.
Posted by: Mike Brantley | Apr 08, 2011 at 02:46 PM
It's always the good ones to be let go, while the packaged and plastic "talent" lingers around for weeks..
Posted by: Rena | Apr 08, 2011 at 02:56 PM
YOU NEED TO GET PIA BACK ON THE SHOW . THERE MUST OF BEEN A CLINCH IN THE VOTING SYSTEM. NO WAY SHE SHOULD OF BEEN VOTED OFF. SHE HAS THE VOICE TO WIN AND IS AMAZING .AMERICAN IDOIL IS GOING TO LOSE ALOT OF FANS IF PIA DOES NOT RETURN AS A CONTESTANT. THIS YEAR THERE IS AMAZING SINGERS BUT TO LOSE ONE OF THE BEST THIS TIME IS TOTALLY UNBELIEVABLE.
CANADA IS WATCHING
Posted by: BRENDA | Apr 08, 2011 at 03:32 PM
American Idol took a big hit last night, I will never watch again. Pia was far and away the best singer on the show. (This is a singing competition right?) the voting is a complete scam and I wont support this show any longer
Posted by: Eric | Apr 08, 2011 at 03:39 PM
I think this stinks, something surely went wrong with the voting, Pia is one of the best singers on the show this season. I want a recount. You have got to be kidding me right!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also I thing one vote per person should be allowed, voting 6 10 times for the same person is not fair. If you can baring Cris back bring Pia back they should be a wild card from sonewhere!!!!!!!!
Posted by: annashape | Apr 08, 2011 at 03:41 PM
She is a very talented person. I could't believe it that she was voted off. She has what it takes to make a superstar. I believe she will be big. She has gotten the exposer that will take her places.
Posted by: pamela e case | Apr 08, 2011 at 03:42 PM
This is totally absurd! There absolutely had to be a problem with the voting system!!! Pia is AMAZING! She has the look, passion, talent, and so much more to be America's next Idol. American Idol needs to find some way to bring Pia back. She is one of the only one's I watch for (Pia being number one). My daughter and I called her to win after week one.
Re-count and check your systems, American Idol! Then bring us our idol back!!!!
Posted by: Jennifer | Apr 08, 2011 at 03:49 PM
No votes to the judges. Let America pick else we get that redonkulous voting scheme that DWTS has. The judges aren't the ones that have to buy the music and/or go to the concerts of and generally support the next AI. Let the cards fall where they may.
Also, get rid of the judges save - what a crock that is. Casey gets a reprieve two weeks ago - Pia must be happy with that≥
Posted by: DonAmore | Apr 08, 2011 at 03:50 PM
I am so upset over Pia's elimination that I do not even want to watch the show anymore. She was the best singer by far and this is should NEVER have happened.
Posted by: Rickie Thompson | Apr 08, 2011 at 03:58 PM
What a rediculous situation. Hopefully Jlo realizes she is in part to blame by deciding to "coach" Pia but not the others. I had been watching AI every week which is the first in a long time. I am done for the season now. I am over 20 now and I am not interested in a show dominated in the views of young teenage girls. Shame on AI.
Posted by: Wendy | Apr 08, 2011 at 04:06 PM
I bet the bunch at Vote for the Worst are having a ball knowing that their votes towards Paul probably contributed to Pia's demise.
Anyhoo, I just read an interview between the Press and Pia after elimination. Wow, what a class act. She bares no grudges, is honest, sincere and casts no blame. Reading her answers about the experience can't help but leave you even more impressed. It seems that her shyness and "stage fright" before performances were mistaken for aloof and disconnected. I thought she was slowly feeling more comfortable shiowing more of her personality as she progressed but just as she was in her stride.....gone.
Idol could do a whole lot worse than Pia as a spokesperson. If I had a daughter, I know she would be in good hands if I knew Pia was her role model. The young lady has held herself up with class and shown incredible maturatity considering the situation, and it's obvious she never took anything for granted, is driven and worked hard for what she deserved. On to bigger and better Pia!!
Posted by: Tusk | Apr 08, 2011 at 04:13 PM
I was surprised she was eliminated, but not shocked/horrified/angered, etc. She had a nice technical voice with a lot of power, but did not have a lot of heart to her renditions of the songs she chose. A lot of people seem to equate power with good singing, which isn't the case. She had power, but she didn't "make music" when she performed the songs. I think her best performance musically (if not technically) was her farewell song. And I did NOT like her song AT ALL this week. I do think the voting process should be changed, but that's been a constant for all the seasons. Wouldn't it be funny if you had to commit to purchasing the person's record for whom you were voting with each vote? That would probably cut down on all the extra votes! It's ridiculous that you can vote hundreds or thousands of times each week. There should be a limit per phone line. Or else have the votes determine the bottom 2 but then have them 'sing for their lives' and have the judges pick who should be eliminated, similar to America's Best Dance Crew.
Posted by: Shindo | Apr 08, 2011 at 04:20 PM
Hey America,
Collectively you just failed big time, Pia is clearly among the best of the bunch. There is certainly something totally wrong with the current way of choosing the best. The design of the show is so flawed! For this to happen, I'd say YOU BETTER GET PIA BACK before losing your show.
Posted by: Lien Nguyen | Apr 08, 2011 at 04:20 PM
What a disaster! I dont want to watch AI after last nights voting! It just goes to show you, that American has no taste or ability to recognize great talent!
Hopefully Pia will go on to cut a cd and become famous! That gal is truly talented!!!
Posted by: karen | Apr 08, 2011 at 04:29 PM
Frankly, I'm outraged and saddened by it. She should have won. I have no more interest in watching the show anymore now that the best has gone. I don't even care who wins. Maybe they will find a way to bring her back because that's what America wanted. Poor judgement on the judges part saving Casey when they did. They should have saved it for her. what a waste.
Posted by: Sarah Bundy | Apr 08, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Pia was an all-around American Idol. She had the look, the voice, and was a class act. IDOL made a BIG mistake when they used their only save, prematurely. The Judges contributed to Pia's demise. It's all just a sad, sad shame. She should have won the competition; she had a fabulous voice. America AND the Judges all made a huge mistake.
Posted by: Candy | Apr 08, 2011 at 04:35 PM
The voting system is flawed. If they change the rule from voting for your "favorite" to voting for your "least favorite," the strongest competitors will always remain until the end. It's just that simple. I can't believe they never thought about this solution before. Either way, I'm not watching anymore. What a waste of time, and Pia should have won!
Posted by: Derek | Apr 08, 2011 at 04:44 PM
I agree with the majority of the other comments: Pia was far and away the most talented performer on this year's Idol. In fact, in my opinion, she is one of the most talented AI performers in the history of the show, right up there with Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert (not surprisingly, neither of whom won in the competition either). The problem with AI is the voting system. The pre-pubescent tween girls who watch the show in droves cast multipe repeat votes for the guy (or guys) they think is (are) the hottest. They are only interested in one thing and it's not singing talent. If you're a talented female (especially if you're beautiful to boot) then watch out: you're not going to get very far. Thank goodness the great Whitney Houston was not a contestent on this flawed show. Because she's talented, beautiful and African-American also, she would have been one of the first to go. Let's hope the producers of AI fix the flawed voting system and come up with a show next season that's worth watching. I'm done with it for this season. After Pia's elimination from the competition, the remainder of the season is not worth watching.
Posted by: Michael Fitzgerald | Apr 08, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Watching pia get voted off made me feel quite ill, i was in shock, i used to
look forward to watching it every week, I will never be able to watch the show
again.
Posted by: sharon ross from australia | Apr 08, 2011 at 04:58 PM
Quote: "If you're a talented female (especially if you're beautiful to boot) then watch out: you're not going to get very far. Thank goodness the great Whitney Houston was not a contestent on this flawed show. Because she's talented, beautiful and African-American also, she would have been one of the first to go."
"Talented females" Carrie Underwood (who is "beautiful to boot") and Kelly Clarkson didn't get far? They both won Idol and had extremely successful recording careers. Talented African-Americans can't win? What about Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino and the very pretty Jordin Sparks? Katherine McPhee was another beautiful girl on Idol - she placed second.
People seem to have short (and selective) memories.
Posted by: sue | Apr 08, 2011 at 05:20 PM
SHE'S A PHONY!!! I'M SO GLAD SHE'S OFF AND SO ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE!!
Posted by: chooch | Apr 08, 2011 at 05:24 PM
Come on, American voting public, what were you thinking? This is the most devastating elimination I've ever witnessed on this fast-becoming-boring show. No one came up to Pia Toscano for excellence of performance, good looks, wonderful demeanor and plain talent. And she's gone...Well, I hope she goes onto great things, and can come back to American Idol and tell them how big a mistake the voting public made. The judges need a bigger say in the voting system (like 50% bigger).
Posted by: John Stoutley | Apr 08, 2011 at 05:29 PM
TERRIBLE...this goes to show again DON'T LET THE FANS VOTE . America has gotten it right once in ten years .Carrie Underwood was the only best singer to win.There is no way fantasia was better than jennifer hudson, katherine mcfee was better than taylor hicks... it becomes a popularity contest instead of a singing competiton. sad sad sad day in history. bright side now she can go ahead and sign with a good agent and record what she wants instead of that terrible idol song she's made to record.
Posted by: katherine story | Apr 08, 2011 at 05:34 PM
It is disapppointing that the voters of American idol can vote off such a great talent like Pia. Young Idol fans vote for young contestants that are cute and have no idea of real talent. Pia should have been the American Idol. Change the voting method to give real talent a chance
Posted by: Maureen Brown | Apr 08, 2011 at 05:37 PM