Pia Toscano signed with Interscope Records, to promote single 'This Time' on tour

Congratulations Pia Toscano! She'll be promoting a single on the tour! Wow!

This has never happened before: a non-winner getting a single early and promoting it on tour. Even Jordin Sparks couldn't do that during her season and she had a single while the summer tour was on.

From THR:

American Idol’s Pia Toscano has officially signed a recording contract with Interscope Records, THR has confirmed. She will release her debut single, “This Time,” on July 12 and perform the song as part of her set during this summer’s American Idol Live! Tour.

The track comes courtesy of Esther Dean, who has written several hit singles for Rihanna, including “S&M,” “Rude Boy” and “What’s My Name,” and is currently featured on Nicki Minaj’s smash “Superbass.” Dean wrote and co-produced “This Time,” an acoustic guitar and beat-driven track.