Filipino-Mexican American Idol contestant Jessica Sanchez has made it to the top 3, securing a spot for herself in the finals, PEP.ph reports. During the performance night, Jessica earned her sixth standing ovation from the judges for her rendition of Jennifer Hudson’s Oscar-winning Dreamgirls song, “And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going.”
Jessica said that she picked this song because she was so grateful that the judges used their only save on her when she was in danger of being eliminated from the top 8. Jennifer Holiday, the original singer of “And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going,” tweeted about Jessica, calling her voice “angelic” and saying that the young singer made her “so proud.” Eliminated idol contestant Heejun Han also had high praises for Jessica’s performance; he tweeted, “Jessica Sanchez just stood there and sang, but her melody and soul walked all around the world.”
"She brought all her artillery in the right proportion," ABS-CBNNews.com quoted Idol mentor Jimmy Iovine as saying during the results show. "She brought her growl, used them in the right way, she brought her power, her dynamics. Everything she chose and inspirationally did was flawless. She murdered it."
America seemed to agree because Jessica was declared safe along with contestants Joshua Ledet and Phillip Phillips. Hollie Cavanagh, whose sudden boost of confidence finally ran out, was sent packing.
The only other Filipino who has gone this far in Idol is Season 3 contestant Jasmine Trias. The top 3 are going back to their hometowns for their “Idol Homecoming.”
In case you missed Jessica's performance this week, watch the video below.
(Screencap via YouTube)
