Jessica Sanchez sings the blues, ‘steals away’ the hearts of millions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWuo_4QPzxk&feature=youtu.be

MANILA, Philippines—Jessica Sanchez is definitely not going anywhere but to be on top of her game after she got her fourth standing ovation with her rendition of Jennifer Holliday’s “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” for the Top 4 performance in the final stretch of “American Idol.”

Jessica Sanchez. Image grab  taken from a YouTube video.

The four remaining contestants, Sanchez, Phillips Phillips, Joshua Ledet, and Hollie Cavanagh were made to choose two songs on Wednesday night (early Thursday, Philippine time) to perform; the first coming from California artists while the second has to be the song they wish they had written.

As her first choice, Jessica did a blues classic by Etta James titled “Steal Away”.

For her second song, Sanchez picked Holliday’s song from the hit Broadway musical, “Dreamgirls.” It became a dream come true for her with all the praises given by the judges.

Judges’ reactions

Jennifer Lopez said it felt like it’s going to be a real race to the finish.

Sanchez’s rendition of “Steal Away,” which is basically a blues classic, impressed the judges more.

Randy Jackson said, “She’s 16 and singing Etta James. The blues is all about pain.”

He added Sanchez was really in it to win the competition.

Rock icon Steven Tyler said her performance was “just over the top”.

You’re just one of the best,” Lopez told Sanchez. Charry Espino, trainee, INQUIRER.net