celebforum - Pia Toscano

Pia Ann Rose Toscano (born October 14, 1988) is an American singer from Howard Beach, New York. Toscano is currently a finalist on the tenth season of American Idol.

Biography

Toscano was born in 1988 and grew up in Howard Beach, New York. She is of Italian descent.[1] She started singing when she was four and had performed the National Anthem at her junior high school by the time she was 12.[2] Prior to Idol, Toscano worked as a make-up artist[3] and as a wedding singer in a band called "Current Affair".[1] In 2006, she graduated from LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts in New York City. Fellow Idol contestant Karen Rodriguez also attended this school. Toscano won the New York Mets annual "Anthem Search" competition in 2008 and sang the national anthem at a July 2008 game.[4][5] She has also opened for the Barenaked Ladies.[6]

She cites her musical influences as Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Etta James, and Luther Vandross.[3]

American Idol

Toscano has previously auditioned for American Idol twice before.[3] She made it through to Hollywood in Season 6, but was eliminated. In 2010, she auditioned for the tenth season of American Idol in East Rutherford, New Jersey and was put through to Hollywood, this time making it through to the Top 24. She impressed the judges with her rendition of "I'll Stand by You" during the semi-finals, receiving the first standing ovation of the season and earning her a place in the Top 13. The judges said she had one of the best performances on the show in Idol history. Toscano is currently a contestant in the Top 11.

Paleyfest 2011 Presents 'American Idol' at Saban Theatre in Beverly ( 18x)

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