Jessica Sanchez goes to finals of ‘American Idol’

MANILA, Philippines—It’s official: Jessica Sanchez will be on the finals of “American Idol Season Eleven.”

“The first person to compete in the ‘Americal Idol Season 11 Finale’ is… Jessica Sanchez!” Ryan Seacrest, Idol host announced early Friday (Manila time).

It was announced shortly that 21-year old Phillip Phillips will be competing against Sanchez in the finals.

Joshua Ledet was eliminated due to the low number of votes.

Music producer Jimmy Lovine, the mentor for the competitors throughout the series, heaped praises for Sanchez in his review just before the results were announced saying “she’s got it,” and that she could sing on the Grammy Awards.

The results were announced Thursday night (Friday Manila time) a day after the nationwide vote following performance night where Sanchez sang Mariah Carey’s “My All”, Aerosmith’s “I Dont Want To Miss A Thing”, and The Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There.”

Sanchez earned the nods of the judges for almost all songs except for “Idol” Judge Randy Jackson’s review that Sanchez’s third performance lacked the “moment-moment.”

Phillip Phillips of Leesburg, Georgia and Jessica Sanchez of San Diego are the last two standing on the Fox talent competition, “American Idol”. They will face each other on May 23 for the show’s record deal grand prize. AP

Sanchez is a 16-year old American of Filipino and Mexican descent.

The farthest a Filipino has ever gone into the “American Idol” finals was third place, when Jasmine Trias was eliminated from the Top Three during its third season.

Trias is the daughter of Filipino immigrants in Hawaii.

The show’s finale will be held on May 23 where the new “American Idol” will be crowned.

Originally posted: May 18, 2012 | 8:57 am