Jessica Sanchez Receives High Praise For 'Stuttering' on American Idol (WATCH)

After wowing the judges last week with an upbeat performance of Whitney Houston's 1985 smash hit, "How Will I Know," 16-year-old "American Idol" contestant Jessica Sanchez delivered another great performance last night.

It was "Songs of the Decade" night on the show, and the 16-year-old singer, who has tackled songs by well-known artists like Beyonce, Billy Joel and Whitney Houston on the Idol stage, chose to sing a more obscure song this week -- "Stuttering" by Jazmine Sullivan.

"With the right song, there's no stopping her," Idol's mentor in residence Jimmy Iovine said about Sanchez during rehearsals."That voice can move anybody," he added.

And Jimmy isn't the only one who feels that way. After her amazing performance, all three Idol judges were gushing about Sanchez. "That was, like, at the highest degree," judge Randy Jackson said of the performance. "To me, right now, you slayed the biggest fish of the night."

Randy's fellow judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler agreed: "That was really beautiful," Lopez said, and Tyler added, "Jessica, every time I hear you sing, I forget where I am."

What did you think of Jessica's performance on last night's show? Do you think she's still the frontrunner in the competition? Let us know in the comments section!

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Comments

[4 Justice]

11:50 AM on 04/21/2012

Sorry, but with all respect, I will NEVER buy a CD by Jessica Sanchez! I enjoy singers, not screamers! She is still trying to find her own musical identity and that shows in the songs she chooses: it is clear she gets influenced every time by the different singers who recorded the songs she sings. I wish her well, though! As for "American Idol", it has lost its appeal a loooong time ago! Time to say good bye and come up with a different show!

[Dodgeyaussie]

08:58 PM on 04/18/2012

You people are ridiculous. Most of your comments are about her ethnicity, and not her singing, which is what the show is meant to be about. What the hell is wrong with you?

[4 Justice]

11:58 AM on 04/21/2012

You are so right!

[blondssspice]

09:57 PM on 04/16/2012

People didnt vote for Jessica Sanchez because they preferred another singer, or they thought she was too good and getting lots of votes anyway... thats what happend to Doherty... But in my opinion, when Jessica started singing her saving song, it was all over the place and JLO rushed onto the stage to stop her singing, Lopez saving Sanchez that was the only way to save her. Unfortunately next week they cant save her again. But she is young only 26 she has many years ahead of her, and a huge exposure right now.

[4 Justice]

11:55 AM on 04/21/2012

She is 16, not 26. Did you mean "Daughtry"? (Chris Daughtry)?

[blondssspice]

03:05 PM on 04/23/2012

you are right... that was a typo 16 instead of 26 (should check before I post) and yes again, I did mean Christ Daughtry . thanks

[Bonnie D]

01:52 AM on 04/15/2012

If we're voting for versatility, presence, and voice....my vote is for Colton. He's the whole package and I am NO teeny bopper...but more than 60 years of age. I can't help but wonder why those judges have failed to give a standing ovation to this young man. They appear somewhat reluctant in their praise as well. Interesting.

[4 Justice]

12:00 PM on 04/21/2012

Those judges ALREADY have their favorites, that's all I can say...And by the way, I DO NOT trust the "America voted" deal one bit!

[Bonnie D]

01:36 PM on 04/21/2012

I tend to agree with you.. especially more recently. However, it may also be that the hometown* vote might be that which rules more than not.

[Bonnie D]

01:48 AM on 04/15/2012

I really like Holly's voice and wonder why S.Tyler and group keep putting her down. I would cast my vote for her just to spite the judges and their unfavorable comments even if I didn't like her so much. I don't agree with these judges at all.!

[Bonnie D]

01:45 AM on 04/15/2012

This lass is so terribly thin, she's painful to watch. I was that size myself at her age....and was grossly undernourished through no fault of my own. So...I wonder why is she so terribly thin? If, as S. Tyler encourages, we are to vote for the 'whole package' a few pounds would be helpful. Personally, I find myself more concerned for her health than mesmerized by her voice....although it is good. She seems to be losing more weight each week?! She is talented, but appears ill.

[Endefr Mapa]

01:13 AM on 04/18/2012

hahahhahahhahahahahahahahahahaha...are u in drugs !!!! hahahhahahahahaha

[Endefr Mapa]

01:15 AM on 04/18/2012

hahahahahahahahahahhahahahhahaha..are u in drugs????....hahahahahahahahahaha!!

[Eddie Martinez]

09:56 AM on 04/14/2012

Go Jessica Sanchez!

[masha2009]

12:58 AM on 04/13/2012

she made a mistake. she identified herself as filipino. all the white contestants even the one with the worst performance were saved. it is still a show of predominantly white people. that's just demographics.

[Terri Crowe Walker]

08:22 AM on 04/13/2012

I do agree with you but, it is called AMERICAN Idol. LOL

[tristin313]

02:02 AM on 04/15/2012

American does not equal white, I don't know why you think that. You can be Filipino but also be American. You can be Egyptian and also be American. You can be French and also be American. American is a nationality, not a race.

[Endefr Mapa]

01:20 AM on 04/18/2012

wow..they should changed the name of the show: " WHITE AMERICAN IDOL ONLY" ....what do u think terri crowe walker..i bet u like that ..dont u?

[hamptonsdude]

11:20 PM on 04/12/2012

it shows that the American taste in music sucks...how can you vote off this talent?

[Marie Forcier]

09:05 PM on 04/12/2012

After having just watched the results, this 16 year old powerhouse of singer was voted at the bottom. Yes she was saved but it certainly proves the point that teeny-boppers are boy crazy and the rest that voted have prejudiced hearts. She by far is the best singer and the fact that she is Phillipino/Mexican descent should have not made a difference but obviously it did. Somethin stinks in America and it shown it's ugly side once again. For those who state ethnic background doesn't matter your point is now mote.

[moirahutch]

01:22 PM on 04/14/2012

Selina was a great singer and used her ethincity to her advantage. So did Gloria Estevan. Jessica has not done the same. If she can't figure it out, why should we have to?

[John Roman]

07:15 PM on 04/12/2012

Jessica is the bomb. Amazing! But I'm sore as he*l over the mistreatment that young (and impressionable) Holly has endured. This girl can sing and to listen to Tyler you'd think she was chopped liver. Felt the resurrection of Simon on Idol last night, my wife voted 5 times for Holly just to spite them...

[justitia]

05:49 PM on 04/12/2012

Folks, let's not rob Jessica of her total ethnic background. She's part Mexican and part-Filipino, therefore part Latina and part Asian. To characterize her as fully Latina is inadequate. In fact judging from her interviews, she seems more exposed to her Filipino side than the Mexican.

[Andsleet]

06:32 PM on 04/12/2012

She is an American, period. End of story. This is competition for an American Idol. Let's all quit dwelling on her ethnicity. Ethnicity does not and should not make an American idol. Poise, ability, talent, respect for family/country/teachers, hard work, are the ingredients for an American idol.

[Rob Paterson1]

04:03 PM on 04/12/2012

lets go Jessica cheering for you.

[Maria Luisa Nebrida]

01:23 PM on 04/13/2012

Jessica deserves to be in the Final TWO. There are 3M Fil-Ams and more Mexicans all over the USA! They should support her because she has a rare talent and truly deserving of a victory! Jessica should win the hearts of AMERICA by singing Hit Songs from Adele, from
Beyonce or Celine Dion. She sang the Prayer so beautifully once and I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU! Jessica should be more commercial now-as she has proven to the Judges her magical RANGE of her VOICE! She should sing to AMERICA to win their VOTES ! We love you-Jessica and we are praying for you ! VOTE FOR JESSICA America!

[bbqchx]

02:08 PM on 04/12/2012

Just as Adele doesn't need superfluous histrionics on stage, Jessica delivers pure vocal skill, technique, and a refreshing aura -- which is more relevant to today's global audiences.

[Tre Members]

01:42 PM on 04/12/2012

How Ironic would it be if this young "Latina" won American Idol? Arpaijo's head would explode...