Our mouths are agape. Our minds are flustered. Our fists are thrust toward the sky. How did Season 10′s frontrunner Pia Toscano get voted off of American Idol?! And did we just lose our last chance of a female winning this competition?
If you thought Casey Abrams being eliminated — and quickly saved by the judges — was shocking, last night’s results show probably made you buckle and swoon onto your fainting couch. It was bewildering enough that Pia was in the Bottom Three, joined by Stefano (expected) and Jacob (unsurprisingly, after his arrogant comments made on Wednesday night during his pre-roll tape).
But who could have known that Pia Toscano, who has sailed above all other contestants at the top of our Idol Power List every single week, could have scored the lowest number of votes? She was consistently praised by the judges, and although we called the singer’s performance of Tina Turner’s “River Deep Mountain Wide” a bit underwhelming, no one could deny that Pia’s vocal skills are unparalleled this season.
“I have no idea what just happened here,” Jennifer Lopez said, dumbfounded at the results. “I’m shocked. I’m angry. I just don’t even know what to say.”
“You’re one of the best singers in this,” Randy added. “I don’t usually get mad on the show. This makes me mad.”
So what didn’t America like about Pia? Being that this is the first and only time Pia wound up in the Bottom Three, we’re assuming they just didn’t buy her as an artist who could deliver an uptempo number with unbridled passion. That, or Pia fans got lazy and took the week off from voting, thinking their favorite was safe.
Or is it due to the general voting public favoring the men? Besides Casey Abrams’ near elimination, only female contestants have been voted off since the viewer voting rounds began — Karen Rodriquez, Naima Adedapo, Thia Megia, and now Pia. Are most of the people voting at home rooting for the guys? Not too wild a theory, considering that dudes have taken home the Idol crown the last three years in a row.
Lauren Alaina and Haley Reinhart: as the final two girls left in the competition, you’re our last hope for a female winner. You gals better step your game up, and quick!
What did you think of Pia’s elimination? Was it undeserved, or did America get it right?
I am simply appalled by this outcome, I just don’t know what to think about it theres no excuses. How the F is Stefano still hanging on? And over Pia, the remaining girls are such jokes compared to her.
I am literally lost by this Casey and Pia were my final two… I just don’t know what it takes anymore.
I blame the judges lack of critique and not giving criticism were it is due.
That’s messed up.
…
Shows America’s audiences don’t know what they really want or what a true singer is from mediocrity.
I think that the reason Pia left us is that she really was more of a ballad singer..not to deversafied .yes, but not to demensional….and has played it safe for the entire season..
Stefano, on the other hand is not the best singer….but out of all the contestants he has tried the most and also improved the most…he will not win….but has tried the hardest to keep up with higher talent…I love him.
Maybe now she’ll win an Oscar.
It takes more than flawless vocals to make up the entire package! Pia’s weakness was her stage presence … or lack of it. She was so uncomfortable taking command of the stage and it showed. If you’re going to a concert, don’t you want someone to draw you in? An entertainer has it all – vocals, looks, personality, likeability … and an ever captivating presence on the stage. This week I was actually more surprised by the captivating performances of Haley, Scotty and Paul. They are all 3 different, kind of quirky really, but I found myself feeling like I was at their concerts, and I would have paid to see them.
The judges MUST accept partial blame for what happened last night! They have been too lenientwith constructive criticism. For example,this week James was very pitchy with his vocal (missing notes) and while Cassie made headway with the bass, he perforamnce was lackluster at best. And we all know that JLo’s comments about Stefano did not match the quality of his performance. The judges comments did not give direction to the voters. Too bad the judges used their one save for Casey so early on in the competition!
AMERICAN IDOL AUDITIONS*
*Girls need not apply
The voters are influence on how the judges critique each individual. Some of the judges were always telling Pia to step it up by getting away from the “ballad type” songs and go for something more upbeat. Some of the judges ramble on and on while other judges just say what they have to say without harping on the subject at hand.
I think Randy and Jennifer were harder on Pia than any of the other contestants as they knew she could handle constructive criticism. They still praised her overall performance but then had to add how they wanted “more”. When the viewers who watch the show cast their vote, they too have been influenced by the criticism handed out by most of the judges. I believe that most of the voters are a of a younger generation and easily influence by what the judges have to say.
I had read a comment that was made that the judges don’t hand out the criticism as much, if at all, to those singers that they feel can not handle it. That being the case, the judges are not doing their job fairly and should step down from their role on American Idol.
The bottom line, the judges planted the negatively in the heads of the voters through their continuous criticism to certain contestants. By the judges making such negative comments to the singers who they felt could handle it….in turn greatly influence the outcome of the individual who will be sent home at the end of the night.
I blame the judges and not the viewers who don’t vote. Have you ever tried to call and vote? Hours and hours will go by so I hope you have nothing else to do.
im so mad pia is an awesome singer what the heck i luv her she should have stayed make steffano go home pia come back plz
i bet pia will have a song if not a whole album out by next month
GOOOOOOOOO PIA
I BLAME THE JUDGES!
Maybe if this years panel of judges could muster something besides sweet emotions and actually be critical of the performances when its called for Pia’s journey wouldn’t have ended so soon. Hearing the same “that was beautiful” and “you blew me away” after every song does nothing to distinguish the trully special singers from the rest of the pack.
They also wasted their save on Casey – he deserved to be eliminated after two weeks in a row of bad performances.
Bring simon back!
The judges, particularly Jlo, have to accept responsibility. She should have been crying last night because she blew it as a judge. That’s enough AI this year for me. Just absurd
Surprised she was voted off, but not that she was in the bottom 3. Simon’s old rhetoric that this is a “singing competition” is only true to a point. Everyone at this stage in the game can sing, even if they don’t deliver consistently. Now other things come into play. The contestants HAVE TO connect with the audience. They gotta like YOU, not just the way you sing.
Pia is gorgeous and has the voice to match…but something was missing, that connection. She’s seemed just a little aloof & distant, and also seemed sort of lost on the big stage. Simon might have nailed exactly what it is, but the current judges seem to buy into voice and disregard the important other things, and hence, their shock. They play favorites based on what they consider excellent voices, but it’s more than that with the American public!. “The likeability factor” isn’t there equally on everyone, and it works against them when it’s not up to par. There has to be a pull towards a contestant. And there is or there isn’t.
I wish Pia the best and I know she’ll find her way. Doors will open and she’ll go through. There’s only 1 AI, and remember, there’s 7 more in the top group who will also feel disappointment. But they have reason to go on and live their dream.
I blame the way they vote. There should be a limit to the amount of times you vote and maybe good people wouldn’t be getting sent home. American Idol needs to think about revising this before everyone quits watching.
WOW…this makes me mad…one of the best female singers on american idol period gets votes off?? ppl need to vote based on talent and not looks… yes some of the guys on there are good…but compared to pia, no…i think that she already got picked up and chose to leave for the simple fact to give them a chance to make it…thats the only explaination that makes any sense. so either everyone voted for guys or she left on her own becuz she was that good….
I blame everyone and no one. Seriously. It is what it is and Pia can’t come back or every fan favourite would be allowed to come back. After three seasons of boring white dudes who have gone no where, I’m now officially done with Idol. Doesn’t matter HOW talented you are as a female, your arse will be kicked to the curb. Neither I or my daughter need to see that. Oh, and we BOTH voted for Pia and Naima throughout the show, so we were NOT “the problem.”
i thought this season was gonna be the best of AI history because of great talents in the top 13, but now i think it’s the worst..i can’t get over with eliminating pia.. this is the most shocking and most stunning elimination ever.. AI will surely decrease its ratings because of that.. maybe they must do something like a wildcard of those who eliminated to bring back the ratings… if not this will be the most awful season of AI
By the way it is Hayley Reinhart, not Hayley Williams.
This is why Haley is still here and Pia is not.
Both have great vocals, and both have good looks
The crucial difference is in the presentation. Haley not only has huge pipes and great range and control of her vocals, but she has stage presence. She’s got swagger and is entertaining, often times in a very sexy way. She sells herself, and her performances are believable because she connects to the audience. Right now I think a lot of guys are voting for her. She won’t win this competition however, because she will never get enough girls to vote for her when push comes to shove. In the end Girls won’t support other girls
I have a different theory on Lauren however. She is not seemed as a threat by most girls. She is viewed as some harmless country ditz. She is heavier, and not as talented as the other females in the show, so she doesn’t pose a threat. In the end she won’t win either. In reality she should have been the first female voted off the show, and in reality will probably be the last voted off. Like it or not women by nature are just more jealous than men. Every woman I have ever dated has tons more men music in their collection than women.
The results look like there are a hoard of 13-year-old girls voting for cute boys rather than voting for those with real talent. I read on one board someone wrote she had voted for Paul 100 times! I wouldn’t vote for him once. I felt the three strongest were Pia, Casey and Jacob with Alaina 4th and James LAST. The judges should have more control. Reason must be restored.
You can’t blame the judges for how people voted. The judges were obviously shocked and thought this was wrong. They were right in saving Casey and they should have been able to save Pia too.
I seriously don’t get the judges. They complain about how Pia isn’t diversified, then praise Scotty for “sticking to his guts” and singing country WEEK AFTER WEEK. I love Scotty and all, but if he can make every song a country song, then why can’t Pia make every song a ballad?Then when Scotty finally starts stepping into some high notes, they praise him for “pushing out of his range” and trying new things. So Pia should’ve started out with a two note range, then finally sing some high notes after three or four weeks to get compliments from the judges. Don’t get me wrong, Scotty is awesome, I just think the judges are being unfair on Pia.
There’s a difference between being an entertainer and a singer. Paul is entertaining, but Pia is a better singer. I watch this show to see good singers that make me go hooly crap..not another off pitch guitar dude flopping around that I can see find at any country club (as far as moving around the stage goes, Paul’s dance moves are so much more awkward than Pia’s strutting). He’s interesting though. And Lauren Alaina isn’t as uncommon as you think, in fact she sounds very much like the 16 year old girl who nearly won our high school talent show this year (she lost to guys who danced to Disney). It’s all a matter of opinion, but I would rather listen to good singing than good entertainment. And that concludes my rant.
BTW, I’m a 15 year old girl and I wouldn’t vote for cute guys who can’t sing. I actually think Pia would do well in the music industry. She’s gorgeous and talented, like Carrie Underwood. I loved Lee Dewyze, but I would not buy his records. I would buy Pia’s records.
Pia…. great singer, looks good but her problem for me was zero personality. Like a wooden singing barbie doll
Pia’s demise is a disgrace and puts into serious question the validity of the whole voting system. I blame the judges for praising everyone else indiscriminately, while pushing Pia do give more. But mostly I blame the multiple votes of the countless teenage girls whose taste in vocal quality is doubtful and who will inevitably vote for a guy to win.
American Idol has, I fear, lost all credibility.
I agree, they should let America vote on the contestants then let the judges decide the one going home
the only difference between her and Carrie Underwood, is she can actually sing. Carrie could not dance or mover her straddle leg hip moving looks ridiculous, but look where she is today, she also do not do alot of up tempo songs.
she just had her college in a room with phone lines calling in.
Pia did not deserve to go.
Paul, you can barely hear him,
Casey, has no real vocal talent (the save was wasted)
Haley, growls too much thinking it is sexy cos Steven says So.
Jacob, Is idol going into the Gospel business
Scotty lets face it he can sing but move around the stage, forget it he is walking.
Four of these should have gone before Pia but are still there.
American got it wrong, She will Make it like Dougtery and Jennifer Hudson bigger than the winner.
not surprised to see her go. yes, pia was one of the best singers to ever be on idol, but that was all she seemed to have. she seemed to lack personality, distinctiveness, and personally i cannot remember a single performance of hers. singing ballads almost every week gave her a “boring factor” and as a viewer she had me zoning out at certain points, and if people arent interested in what your singing (especially early on) its hard to get fans, which was probably her biggest obsticle in this compitition.
Haley Williams? Who is Haley Williams?
I know there is a contestant named Hayley Reinhart.
…oh dear America…girl can sing…!!….not sure what you guys call talent…but the rest of the world appreciates it!
we need a wildcard show!
I cried for Pia and my husband was upset, we are not Idol fans but I know a singer when I listen one. She is a gem in the music world. I don’t think I like to watch Idol in the future, You become so attached to someone and get frustrated in the end. Now that Pia is out, Scotty is my second choice,
I agree. When Stefano was heading to the Bottom 3, I told my husband he will not be eliminated because he is Jennifer’s pet. But Stefano over Pia, America should be ashamed..
Ohh well, the judging system of the IDOL is not good enough. What a joke!
I blame the judges. They hype up paul, Jacob, and a few others. They stink. Paul and Jacob are next.
that’s the reason why we want Simon back to Idol sooo much!! He’s the only one who could think right at this moment….and give the right comment about the contestant!! Seriously…now a day…voters need to be guided by the judges’s comment. And Randy/JLo/Steven definitely coudn’t do that job…