Jessica Sanchez crushed the competition on American Idol Wednesday night, singing a spot-on rendition of Jennifer Hudson’s “Love You I Do” from the film “Dream Girls,” and receiving the only standing ovation of the evening from the judges.

Filled with swag and high notes, Sanchez nailed the vocals and the theatrics. The judges couldn’t believe that Sanchez had been in the hospital all week prior to taking the stage.

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“I had to go to the doctor,” an emotional Sanchez told American Idol host Ryan Seacrest minutes before performing. “I’m worried about my song… my voice is horse and soar.”

America then got to see video clips of the singer’s home and family. They also got to see her fashion sense.

“I love shopping!” said an excited Sanchez, who is seen in the clip with her younger cousin and uncle heading to a San Diego mall.

“My little cousin is my main supporter,” she added. “She looks up to me. I’m down to being a role model.”

The Philippine-Mexican contestant filled the stage with swag and shook her hips. She wore a glittery ensemble and high, black platforms.

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“I don’t know about no doctor,” said stunned Idol judge Randy Jackson. “What’s really happening [is] that girl can sing!”

“One of the best in the two nights!” he added. “How old is she?! A voice to be reckoned with.”

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Sanchez, 16, also had Jennifer Lopez smiling.

“You’re beyond your years,” said a visibly satisfied Lopez.

Steven Tyler agreed with JLO.

“They are going to have to pay you next time,” said Tyler.

Latino Idol alums from season 10, Julie Zorilla and Jovany Barreto quickly took to Twitter to congratulate Sanchez.

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“If you guys aren’t voting your fingers off for @JSanchezAI11 – GO DO IT NOW!!!!!!” Zorilla tweeted on Wednesday.

“Congrats @JSanchezAI11 I’m hearing GREAT things!! @AmericanIdol#AI11”posted Barreto.

Sanchez expressed an overwhelming feeling of achievement.

“I’ve been sick all week and my vocals magically came out,” she dished backstage, nearly in tears.

“I got a standing ovation from the judges! I feel amazing and I hope America feels the same.”

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“American Idol” cut the pool of contestants down to 13 on Thursday (March 1). And with that, each singer is now that much closer to earning the same title Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Scotty McCreery all earned – “American Idol.”

For each of the artists, this is a whole new experience. They’ve never sung in front of millions of viewers while competing for potentially millions of dollars.

At a post-show event, Zap2it had a chance to meet with the finalists and get their perspective on the show, their goals and the pressures they face. Here is some of what they had to say:

– Colton Dixon on thinking he was getting set home: “Whenever [Ryan Seacrest] said my name, my heart stopped. Whenever he said, ‘Colton, take the stage,’ my feet felt like cement.

– Joshua Ledet on the challenges he faces: “The biggest challenge would probably have to be being shaped and molded into what America wants me to be. Because I know it’s not just about me. It’s about the fans and everybody else.”

– Jessica Sanchez on her nerves: “When they called me up, I was a nervous wreck. I wanted to cry so bad.”

– Jermaine Jones on getting called back: “I thought I was done for forever. I was out for a couple weeks. Then the show called me back. It was like, you know, ‘We would like to have you back.’ The first thing that comes to my head is just ‘I can’t believe this. Somebody’s pranking me.’ But that would be a very, very mean joke.”

– Elise Testone on performing the same song (Adele’s “One and Only”) as Jen Hirsh: “I just kind of was upset that they let that happen because I was so excited the song itself. I felt like it was my thing.”

– Erika Van Pelt on her singing style: “I’ve been told that some of the strength that comes from my voice is in my restraint. I do take pride in the fact that I can pull back a little bit and still emote everything that I want to when I sing. Of course I like to belt it out and reach for the rafters.”

– DeAndre Brackensick on what fans can expect from him: “[I'm] still going to do falsetto, I’m not going to give that up. That’s who I am. Even if you don’t like it, that’s who I am.”

– Skylar Laine on her high-energy performance style: “That’s how I always try to perform. America hasn’t really gotten to see it quite yet, and I’m so glad they did last night. That’s how I want to do all my rock songs.”

– Phillip Phillips on his style: “I’m just another musician trying to make it. I’m not about the image. I just want the music to speak to people.”

– Heejun Han on his goals: “I want to be a person who can move people’s heart. I do believe music is the only material where you can change people’s perspective and people’s hearts.”

– Jeremy Rosado on being a contestant: “You go through a lot. People don’t realize how difficult this actually is. But it’s pretty crazy.”

So Zappers, who are you rooting for?

Source: zap2it

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After much back and forth, Jennifer Lopez and the rest of the judges on American Idol chose 14 of the top 24 contenders who will move on to the live shows, Wednesday night on American Idol. The next 10 slots will be revealed Thursday.

Lopez confidently said she found what she was looking for in Jessica Sanchez, one of the first to move on to the Live Show round.

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“I’ve been watching American Idol since I was five-years-old,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez, 20, said moving on to the ‘Top 24’ can change her family’s life forever.

“My mom is unemployed,” a somber Sanchez revealed. “My family has spent so much money because of me. So everything is at stake.”

The contestants had to prove to the judges they have not only a great voice, but charisma and self confidence— something that sent many of the younger singers home.

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They were sent to Las Vegas’ posh Wynn Hotel and had to put on a blockbuster performance for the judges in the luxurious “Le Reve” pool. The songs and instruments were chosen by the contestants as well.

“We get into some crazy arguments over who goes,” JLO said.”Here we have got to pick the top 24. Who we feel has that special something. Who’s going to touch America.”

“This year so many good singers. We’re spoiled,” JLO continued. “We have to look at more than the voice and if they are ready and if they know who they are.”

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest noticed that Sanchez’s family showed their support in a very ‘big’ way.

“Your family is the biggest thing that has happened to us!” Seacrest said seeing the large group of people crowding Sanchez.

“I’m doing this for myself [and]… my family,” Sanchez told Seacrest. “I’m tired of seeing my family struggle.”

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Joining Sanchez and landing a coveted ‘Top 24’ spot is the quirky and nerdy Heejun Han, who physically looks like an unlikely candidate but leaves Lopez and the judges speechless every time he sings.

“When I sing someone else comes into my body,” Han told the judges minutes before finding out that he made it to the next round. “When I’m done I’m back to normal.” Han also pointed out how JLO makes his knees weak.

“I just want to kiss her,” Han said smiling. “That’s every Asian man’s dream…The American dream.”

Han left the judges in awe when finding out he will be staying for another week. Crying a river and with a knot in his throat he said it felt surreal.

“I never thought this day would ever come.”

Source: Alexandra Gratereaux – foxnews

Ten contestants are already in the Top 24. That leaves only 14 more spots.

Will 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez get one of them? She was just 5 years old when she first started watching American Idol. She has wanted to be on the show ever since. She auditioned in San Diego with (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.

Jessica says her parents have sacrificed a lot so she can follow her dream. Her mother’s unemployed, even, so she can sing. “I’m tired of seeing my family struggle,” she says. “I’m ready to support them fully.”

Her final performance, a cover of Celine Dion’s The Prayer, is a welcome, quiet change from her usual full-throttle performances. It’s enough to make me rethink my initial opinion of her: She’s got much more control than I first figured, a much better sense of dynamics.

Jessica’s crying before the judges even start talking, she wants this so bad. So Jennifer doesn’t twist the knife (too much): “Will you join our Top 24?”

Um, yes. She will.

Phil Phillips isn’t digging the stress of the competition. And he really hates looking bad in front of the judges. “This is my only shot. If I let it slip out of my hands, it may not come back again.”

His final performance, of Usher’s Nice and Slow, makes Jennifer squirm a little (in a good way). Can’t wait to see this guy on a regular basis with a full band. He could really blossom with those resources.

The judges like his unique set of talents, but Randy says you never know how those will play in front of others.

Source: Brian Mansfield, USA TODAY