It's Jessica and Phillip on American Idol Finale!

Filipino-Mexican-American singer Jessica Sanchez made history as the first finalist of American-Asian decent to reach the last round of America’s most popular TV show.

Joshua Ledet, who received another standing ovation from the judges on yesterday’s performance night, failed to make the cut. He garnered the lowest number of votes from "Idol" viewers, setting the stage for a showdown between Sanchez and Phillip Phillips.

Host Ryan Seacrest announced that they received over 90 million votes after Wednesday's show.

The tense results show saw performances from Lisa Marie Presley and former "Idol" contestant Adam Lambert. Seacrest called the contestants for the results, and announced that Sanchez made it to the finals, followed by Phillips.

Sanchez and Phillips will face each other in a sing-off on May 22. The results will be announced on May 23.

A win next week by the 16-year-old singer will make her the first female "Idol" since Jordin Sparks beat Blake Lewis in Season 6. She will also be the first "Idol" with Asian and Latino roots to win the title. More importantly, she will become the youngest "Idol" winner if she beats Phillips.


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Jessica Sanchez now part of American Idol's Top 3

Filipino-Mexican-American singer Jessica Sanchez is now part of the top 3 of American Idol Season 11 after she was saved by American voters Thursday night (Friday morning in Manila). Over 70 million votes were cast.

Sanchez, Joshua Ledet and Philip Philips completed the top 3 and will compete for the prestigious title this season. Hollie Cavanagh was eliminated from the show.

Sanchez scored another standing ovation from the judges Wednesday night (Thursday in Manila) after her powerful rendition of the song “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” from the Broadway musical “Dreamgirls.”

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.”

Sanchez is the second Filipino-American singer who made it to the top 3 in the history of the popular TV show next to Jasmine Trias who placed third on the third season of American Idol.

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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.




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Sanchez now part of American Idol's Top 4

Filipino-Mexican-American singer Jessica Sanchez has survived another elimination and is now part of the Top 4 of the 11th season of American Idol.

Sanchez gained enough votes to land in the Top 4 while country singer Skylar Laine was voted out this week after landing at the bottom 2.

Laine was joined by Hollie Cavanagh in the bottom 2 but the latter will advance to the next level and will join Sanchez, Phillip Phillips and Joshua Ledet in the Top 4.

Sanchez received mixed reviews for her performances on Wednesday night (US time). She failed to impress American Idol judge Randy Jackson in her rendition of the song “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner.

"You took on probably the biggest dragon of the night... It didn't really quite sit with me," Jackson said.

But fellow Idol judge Jennifer Lopez said Sanchez looked so grown-up when she got on stage tonight that she forgot she is only 16 years old.

The Fil-Am singer’s performance of Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful” received lavish praises from all three judges. "This girl's in the top of the leaderboard right now," Jackson said.

"You, once again, showed America just how beautiful your voice is. You're going to be No. 1, girl," Steven Tyler added.

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Jessica Sanchez Survives Idol Elimination

Filipino-Mexican contestant Jessica Sanchez will continue her American Idol journey as she survived the elimination on Thursday evening (Friday morning in Manila). Colton Dixon was eliminated from the show.

Other remaining finalists who survived the elimination include Joshua Ledet, Skylar Laine, Philip Philips, Elise Testone and Hollie Cavanagh.

On Thursday (Manila time), Sanchez performed Alicia Keys' hit "Fallin" and Otis Redding's classic "Try A Little Tenderness." The judges gave restrained praises for her performances but they said that they’re glad that they saved her last week after she got the least number of votes.

Jennifer Lopez commented: "You're just a little baby. I’m glad we had a save and used it on you."

"I hope America shows up and votes for you this week," said Randy Jackson, who last week called Sanchez "the best singer in America right now."



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American Idol Judges Save Jessica Sanchez

The American Idol journey of Filipina-Mexican singer Jessica Sanchez almost ended Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines) after she received the lowest number of votes in this week’s elimination round. Fortunately for her, the judges decided to use their one save of the season to keep the 16-year old singer on the show.

Two of the contestants who received lavish praises for their performances last Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) landed on the bottom 3, Sanchez and Joshua Ledet. Elise Testone completed the bottom 3 for this week’s elimination. Sanchez performed a soulful rendition of Jazmine Sullivan's "Stuttering." AI Judge Randy Jackson even commented that she "slayed the biggest fish of the night." She has consistently been praised by the judges for her vocal skills.

Ryan Seacrest declared that both Ledet and Testone were safe which means that Sanchez is in danger of elimination. She started singing "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" by Deborah Cox for the save but she was stopped by the judges who all went to the stage to embrace the 16-year-old contestant.

"Give me that mic! This is crazy! We're using the save. You ain't going home! Go sit down," Jennifer Lopez said as the 'Idol' crowd stood on their feet, applauding.
Randy Jackson said he and fellow judges Lopez and Steven Tyler decided to use their one save of the season.

"We are saving Jessica Sanchez without any doubt. Let me just say this. This girl is one of the best singers in America. Are you kidding me? Everybody please vote for the best! It's about finding the best!" he said.

Since the judges used the save, it means that two contestants will be eliminated next week.



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Heejun Han Leaves, Jessica Stays in American Idol

Heejun Han got the boot last night while Jessica Sanchez landed in the top 8 of the American Idol season 11.

The 22-year-old non-profit organizer from New York received the fewest viewer votes. Skylar Laine and Hollie Cavanaugh joined him in this week’s bottom 3. The judges opted not to save Heejun saying that the young singer already saw this coming as he has been in the bottom of the pack for the last few weeks.

The “American Idol” Top 9 contestants got to sing their own idol's songs this week with rocker Stevie Nicks as their mentor.

Most of the Top 9's performances impressed the judges. Sanchez gave a slowed down rendition of Beyonce’s "Sweet Dreams." Randy Jackson said Sanchez is the best singer he's heard in years.

The Filipino-Mexican-American singer will continue her American Idol journey as she landed in the top 8 of the hit talent show. She has consistently won praise from the judges. Randy Jackson even predicted that Sanchez and Nashville native Colton Dixon might be competing in the finale in May.




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Jessica Sanchez wows AI judges anew

No, it’s not another standing ovation from the American Idol judges this time, but Filipino-Mexican belter Jessica Sanchez received another round of rave reviews for her performance last Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

Sanchez impressed the “Idol” viewers and judges with her slowed down version of Beyonce's "Sweet Dreams" during the “Songs of Your Idols” night.

Randy Jackson gave his nod and was lavish in his praise, saying that the 16-year-old singer had "unbelievable talent."

"You innately have this unbelievable talent. I look forward to hearing you every night. I think you're one of the best singers I've heard in many years. Unbelievable, sensational," he said.

Jackson said Sanchez is the best singer he's heard in years. He earlier predicted that Sanchez and Nashville native Colton Dixon might be competing in the finale in May.

Jennifer Lopez, on her part said that she loved Sanchez's version of the song because it left her wanting more.

“It was a really really beautiful rendition of it. Really gorgeous and you did a beautiful job on it... I love that because it’s like I wanted more. You left all of us wanting more. That’s what great performers do. They leave you wanting more,” she said.

Steven Tyler also praised Sanchez for holding back on the song.
“I think you’re a star no matter what. You did it again tonight. I like that you held it back a little bit. You really know your notes,” he said.

Watch her rendition of "Sweet Dreams" below:




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Jessica Sanchez is top pick to win American Idol

Filipino-Mexican-American contestant Jessica Sanchez is still favored to win the 11th Season of American Idol according to Entertainment Weekly. The US magazine placed the 16-year-old from San Diego, California on top of their American Idol rankings for a second week in a row.

The rankings were based on the contestants' performances last week which showed Jessica Sanchez giving her own rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You." Her performance wowed the audience and was given a standing ovation from all three judges.

“How could I not give the top spot to the 16-year-old after a pitch-perfect cover of Whitney Houston's '’I Will Always Love You'?” Entertainment Weekly writer Annie Barrett wrote in this week’s ranking.

Contestant Hollie Cavanaugh is on No. 2 after her performance of Houston’s “All the Man That I Need” while Phillip Phillips Jr. was ranked No. 3.

Sanchez was born to a Mexican-American father and a Filipina mother, Editha, who originally hailed from Bataan.

She is the fifth contestant with Filipino blood who made it as a finalist in "American Idol." Jasmine Trias landed on the Top 3 and Camille Velasco made it to top 9 of season 3.

Thia Megia was part of the Top 11 in the show's previous season and Ramiele Malubay made it to the Top 9 on season 7.

Watch the video of her rendition of "I Will Always Love You" below:




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