After weeks of praise from the "American Idol" judges and the public alike, Pia Toscano was eliminated during last night’s results show .
Toscano, thought to be a favorite to win the competition, was sent home receiving the lowest total of votes among the top nine.
The panel of judges, who were visibly upset, are able to save one contestant who was voted off by the viewers. That ace in the hole was spent two weeks ago leaving them and Toscano with no safety net.
With calls from the judges to ditch the ballads and try something up tempo, Toscano took that advice and sung "River Deep, Mountain High" during Wednesday night’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame themed show.
And to the judges delight, Toscano turned in another praised performance.
Calling her a murderer, Steven Tyler told her, "You killed it."
Jennifer Lopez added that Toscano is really special on the stage.
And Randy Jackson screamed for all to hear that "Pia’s in it to win it."
But that praise was not able to save Toscano from the fate the viewers handed her.
On the Wednesday, March 30 episode, the 11 remaining contestants sang Elton John songs. Toscano selected “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me,” which she said is one of her favorite songs.
Before her performance, Toscano said she “was a little worried about doing another ballad” since the week before the judges suggested she do something different. But, she noted “if America keeps me around next week I promise you I’m going to get you all moving.”
The judges’ remarks made it clear that Toscano had nothing to worry about.
“Pia, you’ve done it again,” said Tyler, adding that she “nailed” the performance. “That’s just about as good as it gets.”
Lopez also had praise for Toscano, and said she felt Toscano was on the right track to take her performance to the next level.
“The notes take us to another worldly place. It’s crazy what you do with your voice up there,” Lopez said. “I felt you more than I have before. I feel you trying to break the barrier.”
Jackson pointed out that Toscano “slays ballads every time” and that the judges were just trying to get her to switch gears.
“Everybody here knows that you can sing,” he said. “That was unbelievable once again.”
Lopez explained that the judges want Toscano to fill the stage more and work on the performance side of things.
“We all know how amazing she is,” Lopez said. “We just want to help get her to that next thing, that next color of performance.”
Jackson recommended that next week Toscano pick something more up-tempo so she can show the public she has a range. Jackson and Lopez both urged Toscano to surprise everyone next week with what she can do.
Backstage, Toscano said she felt it was a good performance.
“I had so much fun up there,” she added.
For more information, visit www.americanidol.com.
Some of Toscano’s “American Idol” performances are also available to download on iTunes.
