Another Standing Ovation for Jessica Sanchez

With only four competitors left in the popular US TV show American Idol, Filipino-Mexican-American singer Jessica Sanchez scored another standing ovation from the judges after her powerful rendition of the song “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” from the Broadway musical “Dreamgirls” on Wednesday night (Thursday morning in Manila).

After almost getting eliminated when she got the lowest number of votes during the Top 7 performance show, her performance this week was a powerful declaration that she isn’t going anywhere without showing off what she’s got.

And the three judges agreed by giving her another standing ovation – her first since getting the "Idol" judges to their feet when she sang a duet with Joshua Ledet on "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me."

Record producer and mentor Jimmy Iovine said during the rehearsals that if the audience sees and the judges see what he saw, it could be game over.

Idol judge Steven Tyler called it as another “over the top” performance from the 16-year-old singer.

Jennifer Lopez was equally wowed by Sanchez’s vocal ability and she said that it seems that it’s going to be a race to the finish.

Randy Jackson said that Sanchez picked “one of the hardest songs in the world to sing but you slayed it.”

For the “California Dreamin’ “ round, Sanchez also drew praises for her rendition of Etta Jame’s hit song “Steal Away” with a jazz band.

She started the song while sitting on a grand piano and she carried the song effortlessly displaying her versatility as a singer.

“I loved it. That showed the other side of your voice,” said Tyler.

Lopez thought the performance was “crazy,” calling Sanchez as one of the greatest female singers she has heard in a long time.

Jackson, for his part, said that Sanchez can actually sing anything and that she can tap on the original singer’s soulfulness even at a young age.

“I love the whole vibe of that. The blues is so much soul so much heart in it. That’s what it’s all about. Your vocals are ridiculous. That girl can sing the phone book. Amazing, again,” he said.

Only four competitors remain on "Idol" -- Sanchez, Ledet, Phillip Phillips and Hollie Cavanagh.