09:42 PM EDT 04/13/2013
Pia Toscano
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Pia Toscano Reveals Details of Her Upcoming Album
Originally posted 05/27/2011 09:15AM
Even though she didn't make it to American Idol's final round, Pia Toscano says her early elimination has given her an edge in getting her music out to fans.
"I kind of got a head start, and I didn't realize that," Toscano tells PEOPLE. The singer – who'll be performing the National Anthem during the live broadcast of PBS's National Memorial Day concert in Washington, D.C., on Sunday – says her exit from the show gave her more time to focus on crafting her upcoming album.
"During my elimination there were so many things that were running through my mind," she admits. "I kept saying, 'What's going to happen with my career?' I'm looking at my parents, like 'Did I let them down?' [But] we started working right away. I've been in the studio and it's been good."
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Mark Ballas: I Wasn't Trying to Grab Pia Toscano's Butt
Originally posted 05/01/2011 08:30AM
It appears Mark Ballas and Pia Toscano are getting closer – much closer.
The Dancing with the Stars pro was photographed with his hand on the American Idol castoff's upper backside, but Ballas insists he wasn't copping a feel.
"That is me walking her," Ballas tells RumorFix.com. "She had really high heels on and I just wanted to keep my hand on her to keep her from falling."
When asked about his hand placement, Ballas blushed saying, "It was not on her booty, it was on her hip."
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Pia Toscano to Perform with Mark Ballas on Dancing with the Stars
Originally posted 04/20/2011 09:25AM
Less than two weeks after being eliminated from American Idol, Pia Toscano has landed a new forum to showcase her golden pipes – Dancing with the Stars.
Toscano will perform with professional dancer – and rumored boyfriend – Mark Ballas on next week's DWTS results show, it was announced on Tuesday night's elimination episode.
The news came as a surprise to the studio audience – and even to Ballas.
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Date Night? Mark Ballas & Pia Toscano Grab Dinner in L.A.
Originally posted 04/15/2011 06:00AM
• She's said they "vibe well together" – and apparently they like to dine together, too. Dancing with the Stars pro Mark Ballas and recent American Idol castoff Pia Toscano stepped out together at Asia de Cuba inside West Hollywood's Mondrian Hotel. The duo arrived around 8:30 p.m., and though they weren't overly romantic, a source says it seemed like the two were on a "second date," adding that they were extremely polite and in good spirits.
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Caught in the Act!
Originally posted 04/15/2011 06:00AM
• She's said they "vibe well together" – and apparently they like to dine together, too. Dancing with the Stars pro Mark Ballas and recent American Idol castoff Pia Toscano stepped out together at Asia de Cuba inside West Hollywood's Mondrian Hotel. The duo arrived around 8:30 p.m., and though they weren't overly romantic, a source says it seemed like the two were on a "second date," adding that they were extremely polite and in good spirits.
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Mark Ballas Calls Pia Toscano a 'Really Beautiful Girl'
Originally posted 04/14/2011 09:45AM
Are they or aren't they dating?
Pia Toscano recently opened up about her fondness for "sweet and extremely supportive" Mark Ballas, who took her out on a date last week.
But how does Ballas feel about the eliminated American Idol contestant?
Mark Ballas and Pia Toscano 'Vibe Well Together,' She Says
Originally posted 04/11/2011 04:00PM
Her shocking elimination had American Idol watchers buzzing last week, but this week it's Pia Toscano's relationship with Dancing with the Stars pro Mark Ballas that has everyone talking.
"Mark is a really sweet guy," Toscano, who went on a date with Ballas in Los Angeles on Friday, told PEOPLE Monday in New York. "We went out with a group of friends. He's just a really good friend, I guess."
Toscano, who was a frontrunner on Idol before her surprising departure, said Ballas can relate to her whirlwind experience on Fox's hit talent competition.
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Mark Ballas and Pia Toscano: Romance Alert!
Originally posted 04/10/2011 09:10PM
Talk about a talented pairing.
It looks like a romance is starting between American Idol's Pia Toscano and Dancing with the Stars pro Mark Ballas.
Toscano, who was unexpectedly eliminated from the singing competition Thursday, was spotted out with Ballas on what a source describes as a first date in Los Angeles on Friday.
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Pia Toscano: Why Do Talented Contestants Go Home?
Originally posted 04/09/2011 10:00AM
Pia Toscano's shocking departure from American Idol wasn't the first time a frontrunner has been eliminated unexpectedly early in the competition.
In season 1, Tamyra Gray – a soulful singer like Toscano – was voted off in fourth place even though Simon Cowell had called her "world class." Two seasons later, anticipated finalist Jennifer Hudson exited with a seventh place finish, while in season 5, Chris Daughtry's fourth place elimination incited booing from the audience and stunned the judges.
Good news for Toscano: Gray, 31, has found success as an actress and singer; Hudson, 29, has won an Oscar and a Grammy; and Daughtry, 31, has sold millions of albums.
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