https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmWxNmDqJWc&feature=BFa&list=PL56B546C19B6ED0B5
MANILA, Philippines –Bluesy guitar man Phillip Phillips is the new “American Idol,” defeating teenage songbird Jessica Sanchez.
The winner was announced Thursday (Manila time) after a record number of votes, 132 million, was cast.
Phillips, a 21-year-old pawn shop worker from Leesburg, Georgia, received more viewer votes than 16-year-old Sanchez of Chula Vista, California.
Phillips’ victory extended the “American Idol” winning streak for males to five consecutive seasons. The last female to win was 17-year-old Jordin Sparks in 2007.
During the three-song showdown Tuesday (Pacific time) between Phillips and Sanchez, the show’s judges praised his performance across the board. Sanchez was faulted for a lackluster rendition of her final song, “Change Nothing.”
Phillips, who was a top vote-getter throughout the season, gets a recording contract along with bragging rights.
He received a standing ovation from the three “Idol” judges during performance night Wednesday for the original song “Home” that will become his first single.
Phillip Phillips. PHOTO FROM WWW.AMERICANIDOL.COM
Phillips also sang Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me” which was chosen by “American Idol “creator Simon Fuller and Billy Joel’s “Moving Out” which was his choice of song of the season to perform again.
Phillips was suffering from kidney problems and was set to undergo surgery.
The show’s finale was also filled with performances by famous stars Rihanna, Jennifer Holliday (in a duet with Sanchez), Neil Diamond, including “Idol” Judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler with his band, Aerosmith.
As a tribute, “AI” contestants also sang a medley of hits by the recently departed Robin Gibbs of the legendary pop trio, The Bee Gees.
Sanchez thankful
Sanchez immediately thanked her fans worldwide as they tweeted they are all excited for the “AI” tour.
The common reactions are summed up with the wish to see her perform live as they haven’t seen enough of her.
The 16-year-old Sanchez, whose mother is Filipino Editha Bugay from Bataan province and father is Mexican-American Gilbert Sanchez, performed Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing”, Celine Dion’s “The Prayer,” and an original song titled “Change Nothing.”
Sanchez won the vote of Idol judges Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson with her opening performance of Whitney’s hit song “I have nothing” which was chosen by American Idol creator Simon Fuller.
The second round was a tie for both contestants as Idol judge Steven Tyler went for Sanchez who chose to sing Celine Dion’s “The Prayer” and Lopez went for Phillips while Jackson went for both.
In the third round Sanchez sang “Change Nothing”, an original song that will become her first single. The judges said they didn’t like the song but liked her performance.
Mixed reactions
Reaction to the results was immediate on the microblogging website twitter with many disappointed over the verdict while others expressed their unwavering support for Sanchez as well as congratulations for Phillips.
Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter Ruben Nepales who was live-tweeting the event posted “somber mood in the media room” after the verdict was announced.
@asianambition posted “Why did Phillip Phillips win? Like seriously. Jessica Sanchez is WAY better!”
@jthrasher posted “For the sixth time in seven years America voted for the boring white guy with the mediocre voice. The show is getting tired.”
@Checklit posted “The world is your stage now, @JSanchezAI11. America may have been divided in their votes but you made the Philippines stand proud.”
@briankingong posted “Congratulations Philip Phillips for winning American Idol, but more so, Congratulations Jessica Sanchez for winning the WORLD :)”