American national singing sensation Pia Toscano was voted off “American Idol” last week, shocking everyone from students at PS 207, her elementary school, to a slew of celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, a judge on the show, actress Jennifer Hudson and actor Tom Hanks.
“We’re really sad,” said Nina DeBlasio, the parent coordinator at PS 207 in Howard Beach. “We really thought she’d go all the way, but in our eyes she’s a star.”
Pia Toscano(22) had been consistently touted by many entertainment critics as the show’s front runner but instead went home in ninth place last Thursday. The judges, including Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, had repeatedly voiced their admiration for the Queen singer, and her rendition on the April 6 show of Tina Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High,” drew big kudos from them. Tyler even seemed to have a bit of a crush on the LaGuardia High School graduate
“There is a million guys out there in a million bars having a million drinks about you tonight,” Tyler said following Toscano’s performance last week.
Lopez said she had thought Toscano would go much further than ninth place.
Honestly, I don’t know what happened, Lopez said on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show Friday morning. “The only thing I could think is that people thought she was as safe as I did. I thought she’d be around at least for the top five, maybe even in the top two.”
Frank Urbano, manager at Sofia Pizza in Howard Beach, echoed DeBlasio's and Lopez’s sentiments.
She’s a great singer and should have won it all, Urbano said. It was a shock.
Sofia Pizza, like venues throughout Howard Beach, named a food item after the singer. Sofia’s Pia Pie included spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, black olives and grilled chicken.
Pia is the total package, said a music teacher at LaGuardia High School, from where Toscano graduated. “She made enough of a name for herself that she can go far.”
Her Music teacher did not have approval from the high school to give her name in the compitition.
Addabbo said in a statement. “If I had the chance to give Pia a message, it would be to express my appreciation for her God-given talent, for exciting a community and for touching the hearts of millions of people around the country. I am so proud to have Pia within my district.”
Despite the disappointment of being voted off, Pia Toscano can take solace that other singers who have not made it to the top of “American Idol” have still gone on to be commercially successful, including Jennifer Hudson.
“I cannot believe they just eliminated Pia!” Hudson said on Thursday. “Long as she walked away with that voice, she will be alright. Just hate to see talent like that go!”
State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. said he could not believe voters had given up on the Howard Beach native.
“Pia’s elimination from ‘American Idol’ was shocking and premature,”
It turns out actor Tom Hanks was also a fan of Pia Toscano.
“How could the USA vote Pia off?” Hanks Said. “I may be done for the season!”
DeBlasio said Pia Toscano has done what is most important.....followed her ambitions and always remembered the people back home.
No comments:
Post a Comment