Fil-Mexican Jessica Sanchez shows sassy ‘alter ego’ on ‘American Idol’

Filipino-Mexican “American Idol” hopeful Jessica Sanchez showed her sassy “alter ego” on stage on Thursday (Manila time) as she took on another Whitney Houston hit from the 1980s.   Sanchez sang the upbeat song “How Will I Know?” during her Top 8 performance on the show, which recording artist and judge Jennifer Lopez said showed the “natural performer” in the Filipino-Mexican teen.   “I look at you, and you’re such a little girl but there’s a woman out there on stage. It’s crazy. It’s a perfect combination for me to watch. It’s so amazing,” Lopez told Sanchez after the performance.   Sanchez, who has been hailed on the show for her powerful vocals, said she wanted to show her “fun” alter ego—who goes by the name “BB Chez”—in her performance this week.   “Beyonce has her alter ego, Sasha Fierce. I have my own alter ego, BB Chez… Tonight, you will see a lot of BB Chez. She’s fun, and just wants to party all night so BB Chez is coming out,” she said in her pre-performance interview.   She added how pleased she is on having the chance to perform in front of a live audience.   “I used to sing in my room, in front of my mirror and sing to boxes. It’s cool now that I can sing in front of people instead of boxes,” she said.   Through phone calls, online and text votes, American viewers will determine if Sanchez will make it to the next round of the competition.   Another standing ovation   Sanchez also got another standing ovation from the judges on Thursday after her duet with fellow contestant Joshua Ledet.   The two sang “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” originally recorded by Aretha Franklin and George Michael.   “Two of the greatest singers to ever hit this competition… This is one of the greatest performances I have seen on this show,” judge and record producer Randy Jackson said after Sanchez’ duet with Ledet.   Lopez, for her part, called the duet a “dream pairing” and predicted that Sanchez and Ledet may be the two contestants who will reach the finale this season.   “I am looking there and I am thinking, final? Maybe,” Lopez said.   Sanchez earlier received standing ovations for her past performances of Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and Billy Joel’s “Everybody Has A Dream.” - VVP/HS, GMA News