Mixed reviews for Sanchez; may be in trouble

Filipino-Mexican-American contestant Jessica Sanchez had a mixed night on "American Idol" on Wednesday night (Thursday morning in Manila), and the show's keen followers believe the singer may be in a precarious position.

"Jessica could be in trouble this week," MJ's Big Blog said on Entertainment Weekly's live blog.


For this week, the contestants were asked to perform two songs -- one from the 1960s and a British song.

For the first round, Sanchez took on, what judge Randy Jackson called, “the biggest dragon of the night” as she sang Ike and Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.”

Although Jackson said the 16-year-old pulled it off, he called Sanchez’s performance “barely okay.”

"You took on probably the biggest dragon of the night... It didn't really quite sit with me," he said.

Judge Jennifer Lopez disagreed, saying Sanchez looked so grown-up when she got on stage tonight that she forgot she is only 16 years old.

Lopez also said she just saw Sanchez’s true style by showing “a little bit of Tina, a little bit of Beyonce” in the performance.

As for judge Steven Tyler, he said Sanchez did her magic again by building the song up when she started it slow and stepped it up by stretching out her vocals making her over all performance sound great.

"The only thing that gives experience a run for its money is a 16-year-old. I'm hearing the blues come out of you," said Tyler.

While Jackson did not give Sanchez high praises during the first round, Jackson said the Filipino-Mexican singer definitely made a comeback in round two with her performance of Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful."

"This girl's in the top of the leaderboard right now," Jackson said.

"You, once again, showed America just how beautiful your voice is. You're going to be No. 1, girl," Tyler added.

Lopez noted how Sanchez captivated the audience once again just like when she sang “I Will Always Love You.”

"How could we have let this girl go home?" said Lopez, as if reminding the audience to continue their support for Sanchez, who had to be saved by the judges from elimination.

Weak song choices

While "Idol" followers praised Sanchez's vocal abilities, they disagreed with her song choices -- especially since she selected two old songs.

"Her vocals, as always, are terrific. ...I would have picked a current song. She’s young and should be doing young songs," said blogger Rickey of rickey.org.

During the British round, only Hollie Cavanagh chose a more current song -- "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis -- and was praised by the judges, noting that Cavanagh seemed to be peaking at the right time.

Last week, Cavanagh received her first standing ovation for her version of Miley Cyrus's "The Climb."

Once again, the judges gave the only standing ovation on Wednesday to favorite contestant Joshua Ledet for his version of "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees.

As of posting, Dial Idol placed Sanchez at No. 4, with Skylar Laine at No. 1.

Americans and Filipinos in the United States can vote for Jessica Sanchez by dialing 1-866-436-5704 or 1-866-436-5709 or text "VOTE" to 5704 or 5709 or go to americanidol.com voting page or American Idol's Facebook page.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/05/03/12/mixed-reviews-sanchez-may-be-trouble

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Skylar, not Jessica, is mag’s new pick to win ‘Idol’

Is Jessica Sanchez losing momentum?

Going into Wednesday’s performance night (Thursday morning in Manila) of the TV talent search “American Idol,” the popular magazine Entertainment Weekly again ranked the Filipino-Mexican-American contestant at No. 4 on its Power List.

Sanchez was also at No. 4 last week – her lowest since the magazine began ranking this season's contestants of the hit US TV show.

“This should be a strong week for Jessica performance-wise (heck, they all are) but she’s become a polarizing contestant,” the magazine said.

“Some think she’s perfect; others think she’s a robot; many suspect she’s both. I almost think she’ll be better off if the judges give her a hard time tonight,” it added.

With last week’s elimination of Elise Testone, several “Idol” bloggers, including MJ’s Big Blog and Rickey.org, have shifted their bets to country singer Skylar Laine.

Even Entertainment Weekly have joined the bandwagon, putting Laine on top of its “Idol” rankings.

“I just have a weird feeling that unless she picks strict country songs that might alienate crossover fans, Skylar is poised to win this thing,” the magazine said, adding that teenage girls, which make up a significant voting bloc, find her the “most exciting.”

“She’s not a living doll, she has so much unbridled fun on stage, and she can wail when necessary,” it added, an obvious reference to Sanchez.

The magazine is now predicting the finale to be between Laine and rocker Phillip Phillips.

“He’s a white guy with a guitar who just wants to jam with you. Millions of voters are dying to let him,” the magazine said.

Once again, Entertainment Weekly placed Hollie Cavanagh at the bottom of its list.

“She’s been in the bottom two recently, even after two solid weeks of more confident, emotional performances. I can see it in the script: The judges will put a (sparkly) pin in their brief love affair with Hollie in the interest of advancing the others,” the magazine said.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/05/03/12/skylar-not-jessica-mag%E2%80%99s-new-pick-win-%E2%80%98idol%E2%80%99

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Abunda wants to produce Jessica's PH concert

Television host Boy Abunda wants to produce the Philippine concert of Filipino-Mexican singer Jessica Sanchez.

On Sunday, Abunda said on "The Buzz" that he's really proud of Sanchez, who is now part of the Top 6 of the latest season of the hit US talent search "American Idol."

"Hindi pa ito alam ni Kris (Aquino) pero sana ay mabigyan po kami ng pagkakataon na mai-produce ang concert ni Jessica Sanchez dito sa Pilipinas," Abunda said.

"She's really brilliant. Alam niyo po mga kaibigan I've seen so many contests but Jessica Sanchez is one of the best singers na aking narinig sa buong buhay ko. Ang galing," he added.

Abunda also asked the Filipinos to continue supporting Sanchez and to vote for her to become the first Pinoy "American Idol" winner.

"Iboto po natin si Jessica Sanchez sa 'American Idol.' Huwag po tayong papayag na hindi manalo ang batang ito because I think she is one of the best singers in the world," he said.

"So hinihikayat natin ang ating mga kababayan sa Amerika at territories sa States, cast your votes for Jessica Sanchez," Abunda said.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/04/23/12/abunda-wants-produce-jessicas-ph-concert

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