Pia Toscano’s Sister Says Her Elimination is ‘Working Out Fine’

Ousted 'American Idol' hopeful Pia Toscano -- who was met with audience gasps and judges' tears when she was shockingly eliminated from the show just over a week ago -- continues to remain relevant in pop culture, with talk abuzz about who she's dating and her potential record deal. Pia's sister, Kimberly, is a music teacher in Arizona and a principal timpanist with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, so it's clear that a talented musical gene runs through the Toscano family, and Kim believes that Pia's unexpected elimination is more positive than negative.

Kimberly, 28, told Billboard.com that her sister will "have a great career either way," and while she agreed that the show has opened countless doors for Pia, her future is brighter than ever. "Obviously her elimination is working out fine so far," the elder Toscano sister says. That's what we call accentuating the positive!

Kimberly, who left home when she was Pia's age, 22, to pursue her career, also says that she kept thinking, "I hope she's OK" when she found out her sister was sent home. Though, she wouldn't confirm whether or not Pia has signed with Interscope, as has been reported in the press.

Kimberly did reveal that Pia channels their beloved grandfather when singing, which helps her overcome her nerves. "She sings for my Grandpa, she really does," her sister says. "That kind of connection really helps her transcend the nerves because she is singing from her heart."

Since the sisters are close, and both possess talents by the boatload, the prospect of working together is on the horizon, even if not on the 'Idol' stage as Papa Toscano had hoped. "Doing a project with Pia is on my radar; we talked about doing something," Kimberly dishes. "We're trying to figure out a way to be on the same stage. When I spoke with my dad, he became very upset because he wished that somehow I would end up on the 'Idol' stage with her if she went further. So he was a little heartbroken. He had this vision in his mind that somehow I would be up there with her. That's kind of a goner. But we can always do something later."

It seems, at least to us, that anything is possible for Pia Toscano ... And her sister.