By Daily Mail Reporter


Still smiling: Bright eyed Pia Toscano arrives for an interview on Good Day LA after her shock elimination from American Idol last night


Fans of American Idol were up in arms today after the shock elimination of Pia Toscano last night.

Despite her stunning looks and incredible voice, the 22-year-old New York received the least number of public votes. This came after she was named favourite to win by all three judges.

Now fans are insisting that a computer glitch may have been responsible for her early exit, claiming they found it impossible to cast their votes.


Fans on the official American Idol forum today voiced their frustration with the unexpected result, with many claiming they were unable to cast their votes.

'My wife was trying to vote for her online and couldn’t get it to work,' one disgruntled fan told Radar online.

And while a production source dismissed the claims, hundreds signed an online petition calling on producers to bring the pretty brunette back into the show.

One user wrote: 'BRING HER BACK - America is the land where we give people a second chance.'

Another added: 'I was shocked and now I'm still in a state of shock...This is a singing competition.. And if Pia is not a contender, nobody is.'

Shock: In the biggest shock of American Idol so far this season, 22-year old Pia Toscano was eliminated from the competition last night


Pia herself put a brave face on her rejection, smiling as she arrived for the first in a long round of interviews on Good Day LA.

She told hosts she wouldn't change a thing about her experience. 'It was my time to go,' she said.

And she addressed reports that her up-tempo song choice was to blame, saying: 'I feel like every mistake you make helps you grow as a person.'

But while Pia seemed to have accepted her fate, celebrities including Tom Hanks, Ashton Kutcher, Ellen DeGeneres and Idol alumni Jennifer Hudson Tweeted their shock at the results.

Hanks wrote: 'Don't have an Idol habit, but how could the USA vote Pia off? I may be done for the season.'

Kutcher Tweeted: 'Who are the people that vote on American idol? That's just crazy! That Pia girl is dope.'

Out of three: The elimination came after Pia was in the bottom three with Jacob Lusk, left and Stefano Langone, right

Still smiling: The raven-haired beauty still managed to compose herself during most of the elimination


Randy Jackson was equally bemused and told Pia: 'I'm with Jennifer, all in shock. You were one of the best singers in this.

He reiterated that no matter how much talent and wow factor the contestants had, they still had to watch their backs

'No one is safe and you've got to vote for the ones you love.'

Aerosmith rocker Steve Tyler simply complimented the brunette stunner.

Talented : Pia who hails from Queens, New York, had sang Tina Turner's River Deep - Mountain High on Wednesday night


'You look so beautiful when you sing - like a bird,' he said.

Pia who hails from Queens, New York had sang Tina Turner's River Deep - Mountain High on Wednesday night.

Jennifer had said afterwards that she loved the performance but wanted more from her: 'That was amazing,' she said.

'Vocally you proved to us you can sing up tempo. But I'm going to keep pushing you - what I want you to do now is start.'

Angry: Both Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson were horrified with the outcome


Joining Pia in the bottom three last night were Stefano Langone and Jacob Lusk, both of whom were forecast as a good bet for elimination this week.

Upon finding out the results from host Ryan Seacrest, Pia still managed a smile.

She then went home to a standing ovation from the judges following her performance of I'll Stand by You.

But after the song she broke down in tears and needed to be comforted by the fellow idol contestants.

Pia's elimination wasn't the only thing to generate shocked looks.

Powerful: Pia got a standing ovation from the judges following her performance of I'll Stand by You

Tears: But following the song she broke down in tears and needed to be comforted by the fellow idol contestants


Jennifer Lopez blushed and had to look away during Iggy Pop's performance of Wild One as he gyrated his hips just inches from her face.

She was the last judge to her feet to applaud the legendary punk rocker.

Arthur star Russell Brand also made a surprise appearance as a charisma coach for contestants.

Watch out: Iggy approached the judges midway through his performance
The pre-taped segment showed Brand meeting with contestants and offering advice.


The show also featured a performance of Unchained Melody by season four contestant Constantine Maroulis.

The other remaining finalists include Casey Abrams, who last month scored the judges' once-per-season save, Haley Reinhart, James Durbin, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Paul McDonald.

Antics: Arthur star Russell Brand also made a surprise appearance as a charisma coach for contestants




source:dailymail