PIA TOSCANO
For Toscano, the journey to where she is presently has been “quite the ride.” Her shocking elimination broke the hearts of many Queensites and Idol fans. But within 24 hours after her departure from the show, she scored a record deal with Interscope Records. Toscano just wrapped up the American Idols LIVE! concert tour in the Philippines and is now working on finishing up her debut album, which will be released in January. Originally set to be released in November, the album was pushed back because, among other reasons, she and her team wanted it to be the perfect representation of who she is. “I’m a down-to-earth girl. Family for me is first and foremost, I love my family time,” she said. “I like to lay low, I like my quiet time and I could be a little shy at times but I just like to have a good time.” Though she wouldn’t reveal the name of the album, she promised it would be an eclectic mix of sounds. “If [fans] don’t get the chills or they don’t want to get up and dance, I’ll feel like I’ve failed,” she said. “I want people to be able to relate to my story.” The best part about her success, Toscano says, is making her family proud. “My family for sure has helped keep me grounded,” she said. And about Queens, the Howard Beach native has an infinite appreciation for the borough. 32 Fall 2011 www.itsqueens.com
“Queens has watched me grow and allowed me so many opportunities to perform when I was nobody,” she said. “That’s what special to me.” On her rise to fame, Toscano says everything about the journey has been surprising. “It’s all new to me. But most surprising is to know that you’re a role model,” she said. “I’ve always looked up to all those big voices – Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey – and now I guess I’m kind of that person. For a young girl, too, to look up to, and that’s the best and most rewarding feeling ever.”