Reality Romance? Pia Toscano Steps Out With 'Dancing With the Stars' Pro

Wonderwall, Monday, April 11, 2011, 8:42am (PDT)

By Kat Giantis

Pia Toscano's surprise elimination from "American Idol" last week is turning out to be the best thing that ever happened to her. Not only has she landed a record deal, but she's also nabbed headlines aplenty after a date night with "Dancing With the Stars" hoofer Mark Ballas.

Word is, the pair chowed down on seafood at Gulfstream restaurant in Los Angeles on Friday, a mere 24 hours after the aspiring singer was booted off "Idol."

TMZ says Pia made the first move, using a good old-fashioned method to get the dancer's attention: She wrote her number on a piece of paper and gave it to a pal who is friendly with wrestler and current "DWTS" contestant Chris Jericho. He then passed it on to a delighted Mark (no word on whether this digit exchange took place during study hall).

Toscano, 22, has "had a crush" on Ballas, 24, for a few weeks, according to People, which says that she was positively "giddy" when she learned that "Idol" filmed next door to "Dancing," and that her trailer was in cha-cha-ing distance to Mark's.

A source tells the mag that Pia, who reportedly had a boyfriend back home in Brooklyn at the beginning of her "Idol" run, had a "great first date" with Mark, and they plan to go out again.

TMZ adds that Ballas, who just happens to have an album coming out this week, postponed a music video shoot in order to take Toscano out on the town.

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