Odds are in Jessica’s favor to win ‘American Idol’
I'm glad I was mistaken in my assessment of Jessica Sanchez's chances in the Top 3 sing-off last night. I have always cheered for Jessica since she made it to the top 10 but last night, she was up against two seemingly unbeatable foes.
Phillip Phillips has a fan base that votes for him no matter how underwhelming his performance is while Joshua Ledet seemed to be the favorite of the three judges who have given him numerous standing ovations.
In terms of talent, however, it was clear to me that Jessica and Joshua led Phillip by a mile. So I said in a previous blog that rightfully, the finale should be a duel between Joshua and Jessica since they were the better singers.
Well, I was wrong.
Joshua's ouster a plus for Jessica
The last two singers standing are Jessica and Phillip. With this surprising development, I think Joshua's elimination will be a big plus for Jessica's victory.
I think many of Joshua's supporters voted for him because they considered him as the best singer of the three finalists. Now that the finale is a choice between Phillip and Jessica, they will probably vote for the more talented singer—Jessica.
With Joshua's voters, the support of the Filipino and Mexican community and discerning American viewers, Jessica will emerge victorious next week. Incidentally, that show will be aired LIVE on Thursday, May 24 at 8 a.m. (local time) on ETC (RPN 9 on Terrestrial TV and Channel 14 on Sky Cable). The Top 2 duel will air Wednesday, May 23 at 6 p.m.(local time) on ETC.
Plenty of 'firsts' if Jessica wins
If Jessica does become the next American Idol, she will be the first winner with Filipino and Latino blood. At age 16, she will also be the youngest. The last time a female singer won "AI" was in Season 6 when Jordin Sparks trounced Blake Lewis. Males held sway in Seasons 7 (David Cook), 8 (Kris Allen), 9 (Lee DeWyze) and 10 (Scott McCreery).
To think that Jessica would not have been in the finale if the judges had not saved her during the Top 7 sing-off! By making it to the finale, she proved that the judges were right in using their only save on her. She proved in the succeeding weeks that she did not deserve to be eliminated.
Jessica fever grips politicos
Win or lose, Jessica can count on a bright future in the music industry. Singer and record producer Akon has said that he wants to sign her up. She got plaudits from Jennifer Holiday, the Broadway star that first made "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and Jesse McCartney.
In-house mentor and record producer Jimmy Iovine believes she should sing in the Grammys.
Locally, her achievements have generated a lot of interest among Filipinos. President Noynoy Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay are cheering her on. Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao predicts that she will win and columnist Conrad Quiros, who usually writes about politics devoted a whole column to Jessica's performance.
Next week, I expect a deluge votes for her from Filipinos and Mexicans in the United States and one thing is sure, whether she emerges victorious or not, Jessica will visit this country like another Fil-Am, Thia Megia, did last year.
Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.
