VIDEO: 'Standout' Pia Toscano No Pretender On American Idol
Mar. 3 2011, Published 8:45 a.m. ET
On Wednesday's American Idol, the second of three episodes airing this week, judges Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez checked out the dozen remaining girls, and Pia Toscano stole the show with a jarring rendition of The Pretenders' I'll Stand By You, radiating the same kind of star power Kelly Clarkson did in the show's inaugural season.
After her performance, the entire audience -- including the judges -- stood up and gave Toscano, a 22-year-old New Yorker, a standing ovation for her power ballad.
Jackson told her, "This is our first standing O of the new season, Idol 10 -- you just put yourself in the top with those amazing performances!"
J.Lo was equally complimentary, telling Toscano, “I knew you were a standout, you were saving that for when it counts -- it was out of this world."
Others who took the stage Wednesday included: Julie Zorrilla, Lauren Alaina, Lauren Turner, Tatynisa Wilson, Rachel Zevita, Naima Adedapo, Kendra Chantelle, Karen Rodriguez, Jovany Barreto, Haley Reinhart and Thia Megia.
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On Thursday's American Idol, airing on Fox at 8/7c, the top 10 finalists will be announced, along with three wild card picks from the judges.
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