'American Idol': Jessica Sanchez talks up Phillip Phillips

If Jessica Sanchez sounded a little tired when she got on the phone Thursday to take questions from reporters, who could blame her? Less than 24 hours before, the 16-year-old power singer had not only been named the Season 13 runner-up on "American Idol," losing the win to 21-year-old Phillip Phillips, she'd also turned in a duet of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" with original "Dreamgirls" star Jennifer Holliday that brought the house down. (Phillips said it was his favorite moment of the finale.)

"It was so much fun," Sanchez said of the remarkable duet. "I was in the moment and so was she. And we were making, like, the most ridiculous faces, I know. We were just digging really deep … and singing the heck out of that song."

As "Idol" watchers know, singing the heck out of the song is what Sanchez does best, and she's promising an album that will be a little bit urban, a little R&B, and just a pinch of pop – "but not much," she adds. "Not like bubble gum."

Here's what else she gave fans to chew over:

Phillips on 'American Idol': 'I'm not that great a singer'

Only hours after being declared the winner of Season 11 of "American Idol," Phillip Phillips still sounded like he was struggling to grasp the dimensions of his accomplishment when he got on the phone Thursday to take calls from reporters.

"It's so unreal," he said, allowing that, yes, he was feeling relieved that the competition was over, but also sort of bowled over by the dramatic changes in his life the win would bring. "It's kind of crazy."

Still, though Phillips insists he hadn't expected to win -– "I honestly thought [runner-up Jessica Sanchez] was gonna win; she has such an amazing voice" -– he's nevertheless planned for the next stage in his musical career, which he'll be able to focus on without health distractions as soon as he gets his much-needed kidney surgery "pretty soon." (He expects to be 100% recovered by the time the "Idol" tour kicks off this summer.)  

His first album, he said, will fuse rock and jazz and acoustic elements into his own trademark sound. "I'm really excited to get it out there. It's gonna be cool."

Here's what else "Idol's" newest winner had to say:

'American Idol' finale: Fans react to Phillip Phillips' triumph

Phillip Phillips was named the new winner of "American Idol" on Wednesday night, and if viewers had a feeling of deja vu, it's probably because they were remembering back to last season's finale and the winner, Scotty McCreery.

Phillips' resemblance to McCreery wasn't lost on fans, especially after McCreery tweeted a photo of the two "Idol" winners side-by-side just after Phillips won.

"Welcome to the family man. Proud of you," McCreery tweeted. The photo on the tweet makes them look almost like twins.

According to Fox, Wednesday night's "Idol" finale broke a social media record, with over 1 million social media comments created in reaction to the show and its winner. But based on a quick spin through the Twitter-sphere, there were two issues many people focused on, and neither were good for Phillips' long-term career chances: his name and his race.

The Twitter feed Amber Riley Fan pegged the issue precisely with this tweet: "David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee Dewyze, Scotty McCreery and now Phillip Phillips. Fifth straight tear of 'White guy with guitar'."

The "white guy with guitar" phrase cropped up a lot.

"American Idol as usual, White Guy With Guitar wins. If Phillip Phillips wins the title, Jessica Sanchez wins the world!" wrote a 13-year-old high school student in the Philippines.

"Phillip Phillips another WGWG (White Guy With Guitar) .. C'mon America!!!" wrote Arriane Encinas, disappointed that Filipina contestant Jessica Sanchez didn't grab the title.

Fan Danielle Kay Acebes wrote, "Phillip Phillips is another White Guy with Acoustic Guitar singer. But he's pretty right? And that's all that matters on #AmericanIdol."

Jim Carrey couldn't resist poking fun at the name with his tweet, "Phillip Phillips win wins American Idol American Idols."

Former "Jeopardy!" champion Ken Jennings also took a swipe at Phillips' name, tweeting, "Yay, Charles Dickens' beloved "Philip Phillips" is out of debtors' prison and just won American Idol!"

Singer-songwriter Greg Holden linked his own name to the winner with his tweet, "Well done Philip Phillips! Hard to believe a song @drewwpearson & I wrote one afternoon just won American Idol."

"Idol" non-fan Annie McGraw had issues with the winner, tweeting: "I don't watch the show...but really. The new American Idol is named Phillip Phillips. I'm not okay with that, I'm sorry."

Aldus Santos wrote, "A possible tour: Phillip Phillips, Kris Kristofferson, Mr. Mister, Wet Wet Wet, Duran Duran, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Marky Mark."

Former "Idol" hopeful Briana Tyson shared her own moment in the celebrity spotlight when she tweeted, "Just so y'all know, when I auditioned for Idol this past season, Phillip Phillips sat next to me and offered me a chicken finger. #boom."

And one fan shared his thoughts quite bluntly: "Names like 'Phillip Phillips' are proof that some people are too stupid to be allowed to breed."

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'American Idol' 2012: Record-low ratings for Phillip Phillips victory

-- Patrick Kevin Day

Photo: Phillip Phillips. Credit: Jordan Strauss / Invision/ Associated Press.

'American Idol' 2012: Record-low ratings for Phillip Phillips victory

It was a great night for Phillip Phillips, but for "American Idol," maybe not so much.

Phillips, a husky-voiced troubadour, conquered Season 11 as expected on Wednesday night's two-hour finale, slipping past his last competitor, 16-year-old chanteuse Jessica Sanchez. But the Fox show itself slunk to the lowest "Idol" finale ratings ever, with 20.7 million tuning in, according to preliminary figures from Nielsen.

That's an alarming 29% drop compared with last season and in line with "Idol's" overall decline this year, as audiences have seemed to tire of a glut of singing shows that includes NBC's "The Voice" and Fox's own "The X Factor." Fox predicts viewership will rise to 21.5 million once final figures arrive Thursday afternoon, but that would still make it the least-watched "Idol" finale ever, including Season 1 back in September 2002 (23 million).

"Idol's" most-watched finale was in May 2003, with 38.1 million viewers.

In the key category of adults ages 18 to 49, this season's finale ebbed to a 6.1 rating/18 share, down more than one-third compared with last season's closer, indicating that "Idol" is losing appeal among young adults even more quickly than it is among the general population.

Male vocalists have now won "American Idol" for five consecutive seasons. The last female singer to win was Jordin Sparks in Season 6. After being named the winner, Phillips began singing his victory song but was overcome with emotion and stopped singing to hug his family.

What did you think of the "Idol" finale and Phillips' victory?

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— Scott Collins (twitter.com/scottcollinsLAT)

Photo: "American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips performs his victory song at show's end Wednesday. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox.

'American Idol' finale: Nokia becomes the House of Phillip

Jessica Sanchez had plenty of vocal supporters at the "American Idol" finale Wednesday. Her scorching duet with original "Dreamgirl" Jennifer Holliday may have been the evening's high point.

But it was clear almost from the start that inside L.A. Live's Nokia Theatre it was the House of Phillip.

The first glimpse of the eventual winner, Phillip Phillips, brought an explosion of piercing screams that filled the massive venue -- one that easily surpassed the reception for Sanchez. And while Phillips was given a marquee spot at the top of the show for his duet with John Fogerty, his 16-year-old rival was missing for almost the entire first hour.

Through most of the show, the atmosphere was less than electric, falling far short of the tension and excitement that marked previous "Idol" finales. The end seemed to be a foregone conclusion.

Still, Sanchez fans made their presence known throughout the night, holding up signs saying "Dream On, Jessica" and "We Love You, J!" A sizable Filipino contingent was in the audience as a tribute to Sanchez's Filipino heritage -- her mother was born in the Philippines, and the show was carried live in that country.

Sanchez' solo rendition of "I Will Always Love You" demonstrated her power and potential; it was the one performance without frills, effects or bombast, and the audience gave her a rousing ovation.

But it was the guest performances that were the biggest hits of the evening -- with Aerosmith and Rihanna drawing the loudest response.

When it came time to crown the winner, there was a brief whiff of suspense, as if Sanchez might pull off an upset. But it was not to be. A roar greeted the announcement that Phillips had won, but not everybody was excited by America's choice.

"I'm not disappointed -- both are good," Olive Reyes, a medical assistant, said as she exited the theater. "But I voted for Jessica. She's still too young, she's going to have to grow up. But there's no doubt that these two were the best."

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Photo: Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips perform during the "American Idol" finale. Credit: Mark Davis / Getty Images

'American Idol' finale recap: Phillip Phillips takes the win

After a record-breaking 132 million votes were tallied -– and just for perspective, that's more votes than were cast in the 2008 presidential election -- the winner of "American Idol" Season 11 is Phillip Phillips.

Not Jessica Sanchez.

Most of us probably aren't terribly surprised -– yes, the cute white guy won again, for the fifth straight year -– but perhaps, we can be forgiven for feeling a little disappointed. It would not only have been gratifying to see a young woman snap that streak; it would have been particularly pleasing to see Sanchez, the 16-year-old singer with the preternaturally powerful voice, be the one to snap it.

VIDEO: A season of songs from Phillip and Jessica

She was a hard worker, a proud child of a military man, an American of Mexican and Filipino heritage, a come-from-behind contender who had returned strong after her near-elimination. Sanchez was the antithesis of the white male who coasts to victory –- or perhaps is carried there by a bevy of smitten teenyboppers.

Which is not to say that Phillips, of whom I am an avowed fan, didn't earn his win. Struggling with health issues throughout the competition and eschewing some of the show's more crass aspects, he stayed unwaveringly true to himself and his talent. But he also allowed himself to grow, stretching his range, testing his voice, embracing different sorts of music and bigger production values.

Both contestants, the winner and the runner-up, in their best performances, could make the fine hairs on the backs of your arms stand up. (Jennifer Lopez has ruined that gauge of talent with her "goosies" references, but that doesn't stop us from feeling that tickle.) And yes, both stand to stake out stellar careers in the music biz.

Each of their talents was amply on display during the finale Wednesday night. Phillips' guitar-strumming duet with Creedence Clearwater Revival's John Fogerty –- on "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" and "Bad Moon Rising" -- seemed to suit him like a favorite flannel shirt. Sanchez's "I Will Always Love You" solo was impressive, but her duet with "Dreamgirls" star Jennifer Holliday on "And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going" blew the roof off the place.

On a night that also included performances by Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Aerosmith, Fantasia Barrino (who sang with third-place-finisher Joshua Ledet), Chaka Kahn, Neil Diamond, Jordin Sparks (who performed with Hollie Cavanagh, who came in fourth this season), Reba McEntire (who sang with Skylar Laine) and (repeatedly) this season's top 12, the Sanchez/Holliday number was unrivalled in its power and excitement and pure vocal virtuosity.

It was a propitious marriage of voices, and the evening also offered the promise of a real marriage between two former "Idol" contestants: Diana DeGarmo (second place, Season 3) and Ace Young (seventh place, Season 5). Yes, with Ryan Seacrest supervising from just a few feet away, Young got down on one knee and proposed to DeGarmo, ring and all. (After Seacrest faked us out, making us briefly think he was proposing to his girlfriend, Julianne Hough, the other week, it may have taken viewers a few seconds to believe Young was popping the question in earnest.)

But the biggest moment of the evening, of course, was the big reveal. After a few words of thanks from the two finalists, Seacrest issued his request that the lights be dimmed.

"After a record-breaking 132 million votes, the winner of 'American Idol' Season 11 is … Phillip Phillips."

How did Phillips take the news? He wept like a champ, getting through only part of his "winner's song," "Home," which we can probably look forward to hearing under next season's departing-contestant highlight reels, before becoming too overcome with emotion -– as the confetti tumbled from above –- to continue. So he left the stage and headed straight into the audience, where his family awaited him.

The 21-year-old crooner from Leesburg, Ga., had brought home the win and was heading home a victor. But the music and his bright future would have to wait. First, he just needed a hug from his mom.

I hope Sanchez got one from her mom too.

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-- Amy Reiter

Photo: Runner-up Jessica Sanchez embraces Phillip Phillips on "American Idol." Credit: John Shearer / Invision / AP

'American Idol' finale: The Season 11 winner is ...

And so after what must be acknowledged as an evening packed with show-stopping, star-studded performances as well as a marriage proposal (former contestants Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo are engaged) –- and after a record-breaking 132 million votes were officially tallied -- we have our Season 11 "American Idol" winner, America: Phillip Phillips.

The 21-year-old guitar-playing crooner from Leesburg, Ga., brought the win home on the action-packed finale of "American Idol" on Wednesday night, making him the show's fifth straight white male winner and depriving runner-up, 16-year-old power vocalist Jessica Sanchez, of her chance to break that streak.

And if any of us ever wondered if the competition or the win actually meant all that much to Phillips, who said for him it was all about the music and had pledged to stay his course with integrity and a firm grasp on who he was (and who he wasn't), we sure got our answer. After singing only a bit of his "winner's song," "Home," Phillips dissolved into tears: unable to sing, unable to play, and ultimately, unable even to stand on that stage as the confetti fell like a massive blizzard all around him.

VIDEO | Performances: Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Philips

With the music still playing, the backup singers singing, the marching band still drumming, Phillips, who'd struggled past health issues to stay in the running, took off his guitar and walked off the stage -- past the other contestants and the judges -- and straight into the arms of his waiting family, bringing home the emotions, the stakes and the implications of his victory.

He will keep on making the music that means so much to him. And now, he'll do it as the 11th winner of "American Idol."

He's gonna make this music world a … home.

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Photo: Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez with Ryan Seacrest on 'American Idol.' Credit: Michael Becker / Fox.

'American Idol' finale: First glimpses of Phillip and Jessica

And we’re off!

Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez are still awaiting their fate, with the live East Coast broadcast underway. As to be expected,  a star-studded lineup was on stage to accompany this season's top finishers.

Phillips took the stage for an all-star duet with John Fogerty, singing “Bad Moon Rising” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.”

Nearly an hour into the show, finalist Jessica Sanchez performanced an encore of one of the highlight of her season, performing Whitney Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You."

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By then, third-place finisher Joshua Ledet had already made his mark on the finale, singing Elton John’s “Take Me to the Pilot” with Fantasia, who won it all back in Season 3.

The ladies sent home earlier in the season also hit the stage -- without Sanchez but with Chaka Khan -- performing a medley notable in part for the complementary sparkly outfits worn by all.

So while we wait for America's choice, let's look back at our first impressions at the two who rose all the way to the top.

Phillips hits the stage -- uncharacteristically donning a suit jacket -- in Hollywood group rounds. Singing with him on "I Only Have Eyes for You" are two also-rans and Hee Jun Han. Han, loyal fans will remember, wowed Jennifer Lopez with his buttery tones until America sent him home in ninth place, after he got knocked for not taking it seriously enough.

Sanchez proved there was a massive voice underneath her petite frame in "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" in a group that also included fellow top 10 "Idol" DeAndre Brackensick.

Want more? Here's a look back at their key solo performances throughout the season:

VIDEO: Phillip Phillips & Jessica Sanchez

So as Randy Jackson likes to say, who was in it to win it? Any final predictions out there?

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-- Megan Garvey and Todd Martens

Photo: Phillip Phillips. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox.

Even Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez can't save 'Idol' ratings

Phillip Phillips sang "Stand by Me" -- but, still, relatively few viewers stood by "American Idol" on Tuesday. 

Tuesday's show -- the last before either Phillips or Jessica Sanchez is crowned the winner Wednesday -- delivered "Idol's" lowest-rated and least-watched performance finale ever, according to Nielsen.

"Idol" earned a 4.2 rating/13 share in the key demographic of adults aged 18 to 49, its worst outing since the show premiered back in summer 2002.

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The one-hour performance finale delivered 14.4 million total viewers, another record low for "Idol" and far worse than the two-hour season finale for "Dancing With the Stars" that started at 9 p.m. (17.4 million, also a new low for that show).

On the bright side for Fox, "Idol" easily won the 8 p.m. hour and provided a solid lead-in for the season finale for "Glee" at 9 p.m. (7.6 million).

Many fans and commentators have predicted Phillips will win the show, although Sanchez is considered the more accomplished technically of the two. On Tuesday, Phillips won plaudits for his new song "Home."

What did you think of "Idol's" last performance show? Why do you think the ratings were weak?

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--Scott Collins (twitter.com/scottcollinsLAT)

Photo: Phillip Phillips is facing off against Jessica Sanchez for the "American Idol" crown. Credit: Michael Becker/Associated Press.

'American Idol' recap: Jessica Sanchez, Phillip Phillips vie for the win

Well, America, who will it be? Jessica Sanchez, the powerhouse singer with the gorgeous tone, total control and just enough grit to make it seem perfectly imperfect, or Phillip Phillips, the soulful crooner with a sound all his own?

The 16-year-old with a sweet smile, a perhaps precocious taste for high heels and a passionate performance style, or the sly guy with a sneaky glint in his eye, a handsomely scruffy look, twitchy tendencies onstage and a steady insistence on doing things his own way?

The girl, who'd be the first female winner in years and the only contestant ever to have made it to the finals after having been saved by the judges, or the boy, who resembles the show's recent winners and has never been in real danger of elimination?

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Personally, I like them both, though in different ways and for different reasons. I like the way Phillips sings. I admire that he is who he is and no one else. I find his performance style peculiarly riveting. I dig his guitar riffs and I really like that chicken walk he sometimes does and the mad-bird stomp. I even find it cute that he has a hard time saying anything coherent into a mic, like a young Elvis and prefers to let his music speak for him. It makes him seem winningly shy and genuine.

Also Phillips has all along been the contestant whose album I'd be most likely to buy. (Elise Testone, perhaps, too.)

But let me be clear, Sanchez has the better voice. And it's a singing competition. If we were to choose a winner by vocal power and tone and beauty alone, Sanchez would win. Hands down. Case closed. End of story.

So who will win? It's anyone's guess, and it's hard to predict how Tuesday night's final performance show will tip the balance. Sanchez power-balladed. Phillips crooned. The judges said a few wishy-washy things. And then, after Phillips sang his final song, they gave him a standing ovation and indicated they thought he just might have hit a game-winning home run.

In fact, both contestants did well, overall, with some performances better than others. Each sang three songs: Round 1 was Simon Fuller's choice. Round 2 was the contestants' choice, reprising a song they had previously sung on the show. Round 3 was their official "winner's song," the first single they'll release following the competition. Phillips, who had won a coin toss, had chosen to perform second, giving him an advantage.

In Round 1, Sanchez turned in a powerful, polished performance of Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing." Phillips responded with a sleepy take on the classic "Stand by Me." After some noncommittal hemming and hawing from Lopez about how voters should pick the person who made them "feel something," Randy Jackson gave the first round "probably" to Sanchez. The other judges ultimately agreed.

Round 2 was closer. Sanchez soulfully sang "The Prayer," which Ryan Seacrest reminded us had "earned her a spot in the top 24." Phillips reprised "Movin' Out," from Billy Joel night, giving a somewhat less exciting, yet also somehow sleeker and more confident performance than he had the first time around. The judges were split, with Tyler giving the round to Sanchez, Jackson calling it "a dead heat," and Lopez contending Phillips claimed it, thanks to his authenticity.

In Round 3, Sanchez was saddled with a "winner's song," "Change Nothing," that was sort of a loser. She still sounded great on it, but there really wasn't much in the lyrics or the melody to connect to. The judges were not kind. Jackson said he "did not love the song," adding he missed Sanchez's urban "swag," but praised her for doing with it what she could. Lopez advised Sanchez to assert herself more, in future, when presented with material that didn't suit her, adding, "Everything has to be you, Jessica, so you can be you, which is really good." Tyler also "didn't feel like that song was the proper song," driving the point with a pitiful, "Yeah, baby."

Then Phillips gave his best performance of the night (though he hadn't set a terribly high bar), with "Home," on which he was backed by, among other things, a passel of marching drummers.

The judges gave him a standing O.

Jackson was beside himself. "Dude, I loved the song. I loved you. I loved the production. I loved the marching band. Everything about that was perfect. I loved it," he said, dubbing it a "true artist performance … brilliant … genius."

Lopez praised Phillips for being "so different," saying the song sounded like nothing on the radio today.

Tyler compared Phillips to Paul Simon and said, "By virtue of your vulnerability and style, you have made the world your home, my friend … and I think you are the man."

So does that mean Phillips has clinched this thing? Or will Sanchez's fans feel more motivated than ever now to vote for her?

We'll find out Wednesday. Who do you think should be crowned "American Idol's" Season 11 winner?

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Photo: Phillip Phillips, left, Jessica Sanchez and Ryan Seacrest on "American Idol" airing Tuesday, May 22, on Fox. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox.

American Idol: Finalists perform and the winner announced

 

“American Idol” 8 p.m. Tuesday, Fox:  The two finalists perform. (Part 1 of 2) (s) (N)

“American Idol” 8 p.m. Wednesday, Fox: Winner Announced: (Season Finale) The top 12 reunite on stage; Rihanna performs; Scotty McCreery performs; Ryan Seacrest announces the winner. (Part 2 of 2) (N)

“Access Hollywood” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, NBC: The winner of “American Idol.” (N)

“Watch What Happens: Live” 11:01 p.m. Thursday, Bravo: Beth Ditto and Adam Lambert. (N)

“The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” 11:35 p.m. Thursday, NBC: A“American Idol” winner. (N)

“Live! With Kelly” 9 a.m. Tuesday, ABC:  Amy Brenneman; the “American Idol” winner performs. (N)

“Live! With Kelly” 9 a.m. Wednesday, ABC:  Melissa Joan Hart; the “American Idol” runner-up performs. (N)

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-- Compiled by Ed Stockly

 

Photo: Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

'American Idol' finale: Can Jessica Sanchez be first 'save' to win?

It's decision time on "American Idol" on Tuesday night as the final two contestants give the performances of their careers for the judges. The first part of "Idol's" big blow-out 11th season finale airs live on the East Coast at 8 p.m. EDT on Fox and then will be rebroadcast three hours later, at 8 p.m. PDT, for the West Coast audience.

So who will it be? Phillip Phillips or Jessica Sanchez?

No matter who wins during the final results Wednesday, "Idol" history has already been made. This is the first year the recipient of a judges' save has made it to the final two.

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Sanchez has received the blessing of TV reality competition judges twice now -- she was also a contestant in "America's Got Talent's" first season and was brought back during the wild card round by "AGT" judge Brandy. (She was only 11 at the time.) Sanchez is also the first female tobe saved by the "Idol" judges.

"Idol" historians will remember that the "save" has only been around since Season 8. The "Idol" website notes that three out of four times the save has been used, Jennifer Hudson — whose early exit in Season 3 remains one of the show's most shocking eliminations — was back on stage to perform.

Phillips, a 21-year-old from Georgia, seems to be the odds-on favorite going into the finale. Before the finals, he was the only contestant to avoid placement in the bottom two or three.

For the last nine weeks, we've asked readers to vote for the best of the best on both "American Idol" and NBC's rival singing competition, "The Voice." Readers correctly predicted "Idol's" top three. In our poll, Sanchez, a 16-year-old San Diego native, takes the top slot as of Tuesday afternoon.

Do you think Sanchez will take it all, breaking a long streak of male winners?

There's still time to cast your votes in the poll below, which contains this season's top 15 reader vote-getters.

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— Patrick Kevin Day and Megan Garvey

Photo: Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox.