Jessica Sanchez moves closer to ‘Idol’s’ top spot
Pinoy viewers in the U.S. didn't have to wait long before Jessica Sanchez made it to safety in the first 15 minutes of last night's "American Idol" results show (Friday morning, local time). Jessica is now one of the top 5 finalists.
Elise Testone was first on the Bottom 3. Hollie Cavanagh and Skylar Laine would join her later as the show went on. The results show airs tonight at 6 p.m. on RPN 9 and Channel 14 on Sky Cable.
In the end, it was Elise, a regular at the Bottom 3, who was sent home.
Underwhelming performance
When I watched Jessica sing Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" last night, I had an uneasy feeling. She hit her notes alright but a rocker she's not. It was a brave choice for the 16-year-old but very few singers can do justice to the most recognizable of Queen's songs. It was a forgettable number and I was worried that she would again be in danger of elimination.
Despite her underwhelming performance, the judges were all kind to her. Steven Tyler thought, "Freddie Mercury would have been proud to hear that. Rock isn't your forte but I still love your voice. No matter what, you were good today."
Jennifer Lopez commented that she sounded beautiful. However, she added that Jessica "needed a little bit of that rock performance."
Randy Jackson was the kindest of all. "I actually loved it. You used great restraint. You're 16, you're unbelievably talented. I thought it was great. My one tip to you when you sing rock is to channel Tina Turner. She's got that rock-singing big voice."
After the first round where the top 6 sang Queen's big hits, host Ryan Seacrest asked the judges who won the round. Without hesitation, JLo cited Skylar. After the singers had done their two numbers each, Steven also said Skylar was the best performer of the evening. Unfortunately, the viewers disagreed because she joined Elise and Hollie in the bottom 3 in the results show last night.
Better the second time around
Thank goodness for the second round, Jessica was able to redeem herself after doing badly in the Queen segment.
The top 6 were allowed to choose any song they wanted to do. Jessica opted for Luther Vandross's " Dance with My Father" with the following poignant lyrics: "If I could get another chance/Another walk/Another dance with him/I'd play a song that would never ever end/How I'd love love love/To dance with my father again."
The song is about someone's dad who has passed away but connects well with Jessica who hasn't seen her dad for a long time. In the chat with Ryan before her song, she said that her dad, a solider in the US Armed Forces, had been assigned to Iraq and Afghanistan and will soon do a tour of duty in Singapore. She also mentioned that he would be around the next day for the results show. I'm looking forward to watching the show tonight and see the dad's reaction.
What the judges said
After Jessica did her number, the judges were more enthusiastic about her. JLo said, "Luther Vandross is one of my favorite singers ever. That may have been the best I've ever heard that song sung and we've heard a lot people sing that song. The tenderness, the feeling, your vocal ability, the feeling, more than anything, is what made me say that."
Steven: "I don't think you can sing a song bad. I've heard your performance. Your voice is different than anybody else's. It kind of touches on Whitney Houston but you've got your own thing. It's a joy and a pleasure for me to watch you unfold your wings the way you have."
Randy: "You are truly amazing to me because you're so natural. Every time you sing, you know what's wrong with you? Nothing!"
Pinoy support in U.S.?
I agree with the judges. Jessica really nailed this song. She was not melodramatic. She could have shed a tear or two thinking about her own dad but she restrained herself. This is the kind of song that will propel her to the top.
In the end it's still the viewers who will decide. This week, there were a million or more votes than the previous week's record breaking numbers, 50 plus million. Elise got wonderful comments from the judges but she didn't get enough votes to stay in the race.
This only means that Pinoy voters in the U.S. must continue supporting Jessica until "American Idol" ends and she winds up as the winner.
Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this blog.
