PHOTOS Current American Idol front-runner Pia Toscano at PaleyFest 2011

American Idol finalist Pia Toscano at PaleyFest 2011

We’ve been all over our girl Pia Toscano from American Idol ever since our profile post way back before the show began airing.  Even then we could tell she had the goods to deliver and possibly win the whole thing.  Well Pia and eight of the other finalists were on hand as PaleyFest honored American Idol last night in Los Angeles with a round table discussion that included judges Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and long time producer Ken Warwick among others.

Pia looked amazing as usual in a full length black dress flashing the confident smile of someone who just might be aware they are the current front-runner to win.  How can I make such a claim you ask?  Well folks over in the sports universe know it’s not wise to bet against Vegas and the betting houses that have an entertainment card almost unanimously have Toscano as the current AI favorite, according to SportsBookGurus.

Now we all know that the American Idol situation is fluid so this could change week to week but as it stands now a betting man or woman’s money should be on mamma mia Pia!  Here is a full shot of Miss Toscano with hands on hip looking ready to rip.

American Idol finalist Pia Toscano at PaleyFest 2011

During the live panel discussion held at PaleyFest, an annual celebration of the finest TV has to offer (like Pia for example), there were actually some interesting revelations about this year’s show and a one particularly exciting thing to expect moving forward.  The theme night in the works this week will have the contestants singing a song from the year they were born.  Some of the very young contestants weren’t too happy about the idea according to Warwick:

“The music kind of dipped in the early ‘90s, and some of them have said ‘The songs all suck from the year I was born!’’” laughed Warwick. “So we may have to change it to the year your mother was born.”

For Pia Toscano that year would be 1988. Man that makes me feel old!  Anyways, I picked out a few songs from that year that might highlight Pia’s range and abilities:

“The Flame” by Cheap Trick for another turn at a powerhouse ballad.
“I Hate Myself For Loving You” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts giving PT a chance to rock.
“I Found Someone” by Cher just because it would be awesome to cover ‘Her Cherness.’
“Naughty Girls (Need Love Too)” by Samantha Fox as a personal ode to me of course!

Good luck to all the finalists.  Here’s one more parting shot of Pia Toscano from PaleyFest 2011:

American Idol finalist Pia Toscano at PaleyFest 2011

All Photos: Nikki Nelson/WENN.com