Jessica Sanchez sings for a slot in 'American Idol' finals

Published May 17, 2012 8:52am

(Updated 9:54 a.m.) - Battling a sore throat, Filipino-American-Mexican Jessica Sanchez sang her heart out Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) for a chance to be one of two singers vying for the “American Idol” crown in next week’s final round.

The 16-year-old Sanchez, lovely in a strapless purple gown by Hollywood-based Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino, first sang “My All,” a song chosen for her by AI judge Jennifer Lopez.

Her performance got praises from the AI judges.

“Absolutely beautiful,” said AI judge Randy Jackson, adding it was the perfect song choice.

He said it was one of the best covers of the Mariah Carey song ever performed on TV.

Lopez noted Sanchez knew how to control her performance, showing “tenderness” at the right places, resulting in a song rendered so beautifully.

AI judge Steven Tyler remarked how Sanchez makes people “hang on every note,” and advised her to “get used to encores” as she is an “over the top” singer.

"You'll be the last one standing here. I believe that," he added.

Sanchez had two more songs for the night, one of which is Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing,” her own choice.

Tyler said it was “beautiful,” having taken a great song and made it greater.

Lopez said she likes the final note and the way it “sent everybody into the heavens.”

Jackson commended her for choosing a tough song and delivering it well.

Sanchez’s last song was Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There,” chosen for her by music executive and producer Jimmy Iovine.

Tyler said Sanchez “nailed it” and added it was the perfect song for her. He also said her performance was “gorgeous” and “wonderful.”

Lopez agreed it was a good song choice, and praised Sanchez for her perfect tone, noting she sounded almost like Michael Jackson.

However, AI judge Jackson said it was “okay” but he didn’t love it, and explained it lacked a “moment moment.”

Ledet and Phillips

The other semi-finalists, Joshua Ledet and Phillip Phillips, turned in their best performances as well for the first round of the semi-finals.

Ledet sang Etta James’ “I’d Rather Be Blind,” picked for him by Jackson, and got a standing ovation.

Tyler said he sang it “like a true ‘American Idol.’”

Tyler then chose “'Beggin'" by Madcon for Phillips, and after the semi-finalist sang, the AI judge said he could be the “new age Bruce Springsteen.” For the second round, Ledet sang John Lennon’s "Imagine," prompting Tyler to call it “beautiful” and “another ‘thank you God’ moment.”

Phillips, meanwhile, sang Matchbox 20's "Disease" but failed to “wow” the judges.

Lopez said it was “easy-going” and lacked the “wow” factor, Tyler said it wasn’t over the top, and Jackson termed it a “subdued moment.”

And for the third round—Iovine’s song choices—Ledet sang Mary J Blige's "No More Drama." Jackson called him a "natural performer." Lopez agreed and said everything Ledet does feels so natural. Tyler once again called his performance "beautiful."

“We’ve Got Tonight” by Bob Seger was the third song of Phillips, the perfect song for him in Jackson’s opinion.

Jackson said it was Phillips’ best performance on AI ever. Lopez called it “really sweet… just like a lullaby.

Homecoming

Wednesday’s performance show also took viewers to the top three finalists’ hometowns.

Ledet was shown at his high school and local church in Louisiana, Sanchez at her school in Chula Vista, San Diego, California, and Phillips in Leesburg, Georgia.

In all three places, huge crowds showed up on the roads during the parades, and in the areas where the top three performed.

Voting

The real battle now is in the public votes. For two hours after Wednesday’s performance (Thursday in Manila), the audience will cast their votes on their choice for the best two singers to slug it out in the finals round next week.

Many Filipinos, not just those in the US, have committed to vote for Sanchez either by phone, text, online, or Skype.

Results will be revealed on Thursday (Friday morning in Manila). – RSJ/GMA News

Tags: americanidol, jessicasanchez