Sanchez 'Dances' To 'Idol's' Top 5
Filipino-Mexican singer Jessica Sanchez may have received lukewarm praises the past weeks but her fear of a shortened “American Idol” journey escapes her now as the 16-year-old slipped through another elimination.
She now joins the rest of season 11’s Top 5: Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Skylar Laine and Hollie Cavanagh.
Sanchez was the first contestant declared “safe” by host Ryan Seacrest. The “bottom three” were Cavanagh, Laine and Elise Testone, the latter was sent home during show’s elimination night April 26 (April 27, Manila time).
A day prior, the Top 6 sang two songs each, one from Queen’s catalogue and another song of choice for the second round.
The youngest “Idol” contender from San Diego got restrained raves from the judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson for her take on Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Tyler and Lopez agreed that Sanchez wasn’t “rock” enough, justifying it is not her forte. Nevertheless, they loved the young singer’s voice.
Tyler said, “I think Freddie Mercury would have been proud hearing that. I think rock isn’t your forte. I couldn’t say it was at all… no. But I still love your voice.”
“You sounded beautiful singing this song but when you went to the rock part… The vocal was beautiful… but I think it needed a little bit more of a rock performance,” added Lopez.
Jackson, on the other hand, disagreed, “Yo, you know what? Look. She sang no runs in that. I believe you can sing anything. Very nice, I loved it.”
Despite mixed reviews for her Queen song, Sanchez won the judges’ heart with her rendition of Luther Vandross’ “Dance With My Father.”
Lopez, who is a self-confessed Luther fan, was enthralled with Sanchez’s rendition.
“Luther’s one of my favorite singers of all time… That may have been the best I’ve ever heard that song sang... the tenderness, the feeling, your vocal ability. The feeling for me, more than anything,” she said.
“I don’t think you could sing a song bad,” praised Tyler. “Your voice is so different than anybody else’s. Kind of touches on Whitney but you’ve got your own thing going on which is beautiful… To watch you evolve and to watch you unfold your wings is such an honor. Thank you.”
“You are truly amazing to me. You’re so natural every time you get up and sing… Now you’ve got the feeling in there. That’s what was always missing a little for me,” said Jackson adding, “You know what’s wrong with it? Absolutely nothing!”
Forever “favorite” Ledet continued receiving standing ovations from the judges with his renditions of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and India Arie’s “Ready For Love,” while Hollie Cavanagh scores her first standing ovation from the judges with her take on Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.”
Sanchez was almost eliminated two weeks ago after earning the least votes in the vote-generated competition but was “saved” by the judges. Since her near-exit stint, local and international Filipino communities have been campaigning for the singer.
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN News reported that boxing champ Manny Pacquiao is a big Jessica Sanchez fan.
The Sarangani representative hopes and believes that his kababayan singer will emerge as this “American Idol” season 11 winner.
“Jessica, good luck and we’re praying for you. Sana manalo ka. No, hindi sana. I declare that you’re gonna win in Jesus’ name,” he said. (Photo from americanidol.com)
By JECELYN V. MACAHINDOG
mb.com.ph
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