Jessica Sanchez goes to American Idol finale

MANILA, Philippines – One down, one more to go. Jessica Sanchez will belt it out for the much coveted American Idol crown in the show’s finale next week after earning a slot in the Top 2.

Sanchez is the first Filipino-American to battle it out in the final showdown. Could she also be the first of Filipino descent to become next American Idol?

An early favorite, the young half-Mexican diva will compete head-to-head with bluesy, guitar-strumming Phillip Phillips, also a frontrunner who was never in the competition’s bottom 3.

Meanwhile, vocal powerhouse Joshua Ledet, who earned over a dozen standing ovations for his performances, said goodbye to his Idol dream after receiving the lowest number of votes on the Fox talent show on Thursday, May 18 (Friday in Manila).

Several times in the show, entertainment insiders, the Idol judges and fans had bet Ledet, with his range and versatility, would make it to the finale and even win it. But his elimination has proven the results are highly unpredictable.

Performances

On Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), 16-year-old Sanchez, 21-year-old Phillips and 20-year-old Ledet fought hard for a slot in the final two.

It was a night of “choices” for the three: they sang songs picked by the judges, by them and by mentor Jimmy Iovine.

Standing alone on the platform of the stage during her rendition of the Mariah Carey hit My All, Sanchez was predicted by Judge Steven Tyler to do just that — be “the last one standing” — in the final stretch of the show.

Judge Jennifer Lopez, who picked the song for her, said she sang it beautifully and in her own way.

For her personal choice, Sanchez performed I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing by Aerosmith, whose lead singer is Tyler.

Tyler stood up on his feet, saying nothing but praises for the budding diva. “You just took a great song and made it greater. Thank you,” the rock icon told her.

However, Sanchez’s last song, the Jackson 5 classic I’ll Be There, was a miss, with judge Randy Jackson saying the performance lacked the “moment-moment.” 

The two male finalists got rave reviews for their performances. 

Phillip Phillips

• Beggin’ by Madcon
• Disease by Matchbox 20
• We’ve Got Tonight by Bob Segar

 

Joshua Ledet

• I’d Rather Go Blind by Etta James
• Imagine by John Lennon
• No More Drama by Mary Blige

 

Although Phillips and Ledet were said to have had the upper hand after Wednesday’s show, Sanchez topped online polls of entertainment websites  asking readers who they think would enter the finale, which will air on May 23.

Firsts

If Sanchez wins next week, she will be the first Fil-Am, Asian and the youngest ever to be crowned American Idol. If she wins, the judges’ move to use their once-only precious save on her would be all worth it.

Sanchez was surprisingly voted off during the Top 7 elimination round of the show. But while singing what supposed to have been her final song, the three Idol judges dramatically rushed to the stage and “saved” her from being sent home.

Explaining why they used the save, veteran judge Jackson told America, “It’s about finding the best.”

“Please everybody, please vote for the best,” he begged.

Apparently, America now thinks Sanchez might be it. – Rappler.com

Click on the links for more. 

• 6th standing ovation for Jessica Sanchez on American Idol
• Will Jessica Sanchez become the next American Idol?
• Jessica Sanchez leads top 3 in online fanbase
• Is Jessica Sanchez Mexipino or Filixican?
• ‘American Idol’: Jessica Sanchez sings Mariah, Aerosmith, Jackson 5