Jessica Sanchez launches album on American Idol FilAm singer to star in ‘Glee,’ to return in Manila in June

By JO ERLINDA G. NEBRES
 

Filipino-American teenage singer Jessica Sanchez has wowed the popular talent show “American Idol” again and this time no longer as a contestant but as a guest performer with Grammy Award winner Neyo.
The American Idol season 11 first runner-up sang “Tonight”, a part of his first album called “Me, You and the Music,”  which she launched with Neyo in the show itself.
And the song got a standing ovation from Americal Idol judges Randy Jackson, Keith Urban, and Nicki Minaj and  gained positive reviews.
According to reports, the track embodies the youthful flair and urban sound that the 17-year-old Jessica envisioned for her music. Her dance moves onstage mirrored those she did on the video for the single, which was uploaded on her YouTube VEVO channel on March 21.
This developed as Jessica confirmed she will start filming next month for the popular television US musical series “Glee,” adding she was excited for the show.
“I’m also gonna be appearing on ‘Glee’ which is a big stepping stone for me. I can’t wait for me to be in front of the camera and pretend to be somebody else, it’s gonna be fun,” she said.
Jessica will be seen in “Glee” next to other hot names like Charice, Naya Rivera and Lea Michele starting May 2 AND 9, according to Hollywood Reporter.
Jessica also announced that she will be back in June in Manila to promote her album and perform other commitments. If that happens, it will be her third time to the country where her mother came from, her latest being a solo concert on Valentine’s Day at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Before her performance on American Idol, Jessica said in a taped message how the singing competition changed her life.
“‘Idol’ really changed my life completely. Some amazing things happened. I went on ‘Idol’ tour, I’d been doing crazy photo shoots, I have huge big billboards the size of buildings. I performed for the Democratic National Convention, I’d been doing a couple of magazine [covers]. I actually did 17 magazines, I had a two-pager, it’s great modelling, it’s fun,” she said.
Sanchez also proudly shared her recent visit to the Philippines, where she held her first solo concert.
“Recently I went to Manila and I have a special connection to the Philippines because that’s where my mom’s from. I had my first solo concert and it was sold out. Walking out on that stage, it was just amazing to sing and they’re just screaming and cheering. They’re very proud that I have Filipino blood and I’m very proud to represent them,” she continued.
“So, I mean, just to go over there and meet [them] like they’re family instantly means a lot to me. Every single moment of my concert is so special to me I can’t wait to do another one,” she said.
Jessica has been named  one of the ambassadors of the Philippines’ Smart Communications’ “Jump In” campaign, which saw her touring campuses and staging the “Jump In Bash” to spread the message of empowerment, positivity, and inspiration to the youth.
Hollywood Reporter came out with a positive report on Jessica’s appearance at the American Idol Season 12 elimination.
“She came back in triumph for the sparkling (literally) performance,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.
“… [American Idol] was such a stressful moment for me and something I wanted so bad and it finally happened. This is where it all started — it’s so surreal and weird,” Jessica told the Hollywood Reporter.
But this time was different, she added. “I wasn’t being judged this time— I felt like a bird,” she said. “I was free and I could just sing.”
According to the report, Jessica “ is older, wiser, edgier and more polished than the talented girl who competed in the talent show… and she’s had nothing but success since her tenure on AI.”
Jessica’s album “Me, You and the Music “ which features her track with Ne-Yo is officially coming out on April 30 for those who’ll be up at midnight to buy it on iTunes.