Jessica Sanchez makes history as youngest, first Asian-American Idol finalist

Even though she has not yet won the "American Idol" title, Filipino-Mexican-American contender Jessica Sanchez has already made history.

She is now the first Asian-American to reach the finals, and also the youngest at 16 years old.

Sanchez will go up against Phillip Phillips, 21, of Leesburg, Georgia, in the finale on May 23 (May 24 a.m. in Manila).

If Sanchez wins, she will be the fifth female to win the title. The previous female winners are:

• Kelly Clarkson (Season One);
• Fantasia Barrino (Season Three);
• Carrie Underwood (Season Four), and
• Jordin Sparks (Season Six).

Sanchez will also be the youngest American Idol winner because Sparks (Season Six) and Scotty McCreery (Season Ten) both won the competition at age 17.

Apart from this, Sanchez will be the first "Idol" to come from California.

Sanchez will also be the first saved contestant to win the title. She received the lowest number of votes after her performance on April 12 but "American Idol" judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and Randy Jackson chose to use their one and only "save" of the season to keep Sanchez from being eliminated from the contest.

If Phillip Phillips wins...

On the other hand, if Phillips will win the competition, he will be the seventh male contestant to win the title.

It will be fifth consecutive year that a male has won the competition since 2008. The past male winners include:

• Ruben Studdard (Season Two);
• Taylor Hicks (Season Five);
• David Cook (Season Seven);
• Kris Allen (Season Eight),
• Lee DeWyze (Season Nine), and
• Scotty McCreery (Season Ten).

Phillips will also be the second youngest male "Idol" if he wins. The record for being the youngest male "American Idol" winner so far belongs to McCreery.

If he wins, Phillips will be the first winner from Georgia.

Past American Idol winners

The show's official website lists the ages and hometowns of the past winners:



Season 1
Kelly Clarkson
Age when she won: 20
Hometown: Burleson, TX

Season 2
Ruben Studdard
Age when he won: 25
Hometown: Birmingham, AL

Season 3
Fantasia Barrino
Age when she won: 19
Hometown High Point, NC

Season 4
Carrie Underwood
Age when she won: 21
Hometown: Checotah, OK

Season 5
Taylor Hicks
Age when he won: 29
Hometown: Birmingham, AL

Season 6
Jordin Sparks
Age when she won: 17
Hometown: Glendale, AZ

Season 7
David Cook
Age when he won: 25
Hometown: Blue Springs, MO

Season 8
Kris Allen
Age when he won: 23
Hometown: Conway, AR

Season 9
Lee DeWyze
Age when he won: 24
Hometown: Mount Prospect, IL

Season 10
Scotty McCreery
Age when he won: 17
Hometown: Garner, NC

- VVP, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Jessica Sanchez in Top 3 as ‘Idol’ sends Skylar home

MANILA, Philippines—Jessica Sanchez was in the Top 3 as nationwide vote of 60 million sent Skylar Laine home Thursday (Friday in Manila).

Hollie Cavanagh, who had one of her “best nights ever” on Wednesday, joined Laine in the bottom two.

The latest elimination brings the number of finalists to four as the Fox singing competition moves “closer to finding out who will be our next American Idol,” the popular television show said in its recap.

Earlier, Idol host Ryan Seacrest called Sanchez and Laine to center stage and gave them mixed reviews. But after 60 million votes were counted, it was revealed that Laine was the latest to be booted out of American Idol.

Jennifer Lopez and Hollie Cavanagh “teared up” as Laine said her goodbyes.

“I’ll take a lot from this experience — friendship, memories,” Laine said in her farewell video. “I’m gonna put this toward my career in the future.”

The four finalists will return to the stage next Wednesday and face another elimination Thursday.

An 11th season “Idol” champion is scheduled to be crowned May 23.

source: http://entertainment.inquirer.net/38935/jessica-sanchez-in-top-3-as-idol-sends-skylar-home