Jennifer Lopez Saves Jessica Sanchez From Elimination On 'American Idol'

After delivering great performances on "American Idol" week after week and receiving high praise from the judges, on last night's results show Jessica Sanchez received the lowest number of votes.

Upon hearing the results, judge Jennifer Lopez looked completely shocked. Sanchez took the stage to sing for one last time, but just 15 seconds into the performance, Lopez stormed the stage with fellow judges Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler and yelled, "Give me that mic! This is crazy!" The audience reacted with a loud applause and J.Lo continued, "Yes, we're using the save! You're not going home. Go sit down! Go sit down! Go sit down!"

Judge Randy Jackson explained why he and his fellow judges used their one save of the season on Jessica.

"Let me just say this, from myself, Steven and Jennifer," he said. "This girl is one of the best singers in America. Ever. Are you kidding me? Please, everybody, please vote for the best," he added. "It's about finding the best."

After all the commotion, host Ryan Seacrest asked the half-Mexican, half Filipino contestant if she was surprised she received the lowest number of votes this week.

"Not at all," Jessica said humbly. "I don’t expect anything. I just want people to know that I've been working hard my whole life," she said.

Were the judges right to use their one save of the season on Jessica? Were you surprised that she got the lowest number of votes? Tell us in the comments!

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Comments

[Ghakiema Jacobs]

02:19 AM on 05/18/2012

I miss Simon Cowell..He was direct and sometimes blunt but at least he was honest.These judges choose a afvourite and then diss the rest.I no longer watch American idol.If Steven tyler gives another comment like no-one can sing that song like you just did.The same stuff over and over again.Come on..be real..Its reality tv not fake tv.

[gleep1416]

11:15 PM on 04/19/2012

too bad they wasted the judges save on jessica last week , she's a one trick pony... colton so much more talented on so many levels.... but the best singing voice this year belongs to hollie

[edong]

02:52 AM on 04/18/2012

No doubt, the judges were right in saving Jessica for the right reason- She is one of the best in America!! She was at the bottom for some reason other than not being the best in the group. I suspect that voters assumed she will surely win and did not bother to vote

[vicschmi4]

12:45 AM on 04/18/2012

how do i post a comment - they keep rejecting me

[Jetblue1]

09:27 PM on 04/16/2012

You need freedom of speech in this site

[Timi Gladfelter Berge]

06:45 PM on 04/16/2012

Not surprised they used the save on Jessica Sanchez, but thought the way they did it was very rude to Elise and the other contestants. Sanchez has a good voice. I repeat a "good" voice. Definitely not one of the best singers of all time. The choice of American Idol is up to the people. Just because Randy, Jennifer and Steven think she should be the American Idol doesn't mean the voters have to see it that way. I myself like Elise, Skylar and Colton's type of music and voted for them, along with Phillip.

[All4kixs62]

02:29 PM on 04/19/2012

I so agree with you. the judges were just plain rude about the whole thing, it really pissed me off. I'm so tired of the judges trying to tell America how to vote. yes Jessica sings good, but her songs are all the same. She can't do a fast song or she will croak.

[JLTorres]

05:28 PM on 04/15/2012

This just demonstrates how ridiculous it is to leave it to the audience. Americans wouldn't know singing talent and ability if it hit them square in the face. It's all about popularity. And I wouldn't be surprised if race was a factor. This young woman has an incredible voice that anyone with any musical knowledge would concur deserves support in this show.

[idapearl]

03:52 PM on 04/15/2012

Jessica and Joshua are by far the best and the winner should be between these two. How they ended up in the bottom 3 is a mystery to me....a music teach and frequent talent judge.
Both of them have the enitre package....talent, great voices, interpretation, stage presence, professionalism, audience appeal.
Jessica, the lowest votes??? That's because the "teens and rockers" who are voting don't recognize real talent!!!!!!

[dougdammit]

03:28 PM on 04/15/2012

I don't believe there are any hidden agendas, race, judges preference or anything else. It is more likely that many voters thought Jessica was so good she was safe so they voted for their second and third choices. I did. I was wrong. It has happened before. There are several really good singers. For me, though Jessica has been consistently the best. I won't make the same mistake again.

[Lori Ellen]

03:00 PM on 04/15/2012

I vote for Jessica every week. I was surprised to see her in the bottom three...I was shocked that Holly C. got more votes than her. I think Holly needs to go. Thing is...the show is not the same without Simon...I miss his presence for sure.

[Njeanous]

11:55 AM on 04/15/2012

Simon Cowell’s absence from this show is glaring. No balance all smooches and “fantastic” “awesome” “rocking dude” where is the advice and honesty?

[Lori Ellen]

02:53 PM on 04/15/2012

I love American Idol...but Njeanous you are right...it is not the same without Simon Cowell. I catch myself thinking what would Simon say?

[andimoh]

11:43 AM on 04/15/2012

Racism is alive and well in America. The people are voting based solely on race and also because of their anti-immigrant feelings. Jessica is half Mexican and half Philipino. Shame on you America. She is the best on the show and should win the competition.

At this point maybe they should end the shw and give the title to the best, Jessica

[Timi Gladfelter Berge]

06:52 PM on 04/16/2012

I didn't vote for Jessica and it had nothing to do with racism. I just happen to like the musical choices of some of the other contestents (Elise, Colton, Skylar and Phillip). Sanchez has a good voice but I prefer a different type of vocalist. I repeat, it had nothing to do with race.

[edong]

03:03 AM on 04/18/2012

Thank you Timi for assuring it's not race, I believe you. I hope that Jessica's next choice of song will appeal to you.

[Cathie White]

10:17 AM on 04/15/2012

Thanks so much for bringing up the race card. Alot of us do't even notice. We will do better from now on! AI was so staged it was rediculous. The judges can't act and we all saw it. The show has lost whatever credibility. DON"T vote for the one You want, America!!! Vote for the one they have decided is the "best". Personal taste evidently does not exist. Why can't I personaly dislike Jessica's style. Are we no longer individuals? American Idol...A Show where you can vote for the singer you are told to vote for! Isn't it fun???

[edong]

03:32 AM on 04/18/2012

Cathie, the judges did not overturn your vote. The "save" was used to wake up those who watched the show but did not bother to vote. Because the judges were so impressed by Jessica's singing talent, they believed that had those people on the sideline voted, they would have correctly voted for her. The show gave them this "right" because of their music credentials. The purpose of the show is to search for a new "singer" and they are just doing their job. Imagine a contestant who sings out of tune made it to the finals just because he/she is ridiculously so handsome/beautiful.

[RobsChild]

10:11 AM on 04/15/2012

Jessica and Joshua are good singers, but DeAndre has my heart and had my votes.
American idol has totally turned into Pop/Country Idol.
They've lost viewership among the older/seasoned voters and now young girls & teens are the dialers/voters. If it's not rigged, that's why Colton, Phillip, Skylar & Hollie were the top 4. It's all in the look, the culture and the genre that these younger voters want.

[vapaday]

10:02 AM on 04/15/2012

She has been the best throughout the competition, yet she was voted off. A young lady with poise, talent & grace is being voted out not because the others are better. She is HISPANIC/ASIAN, & our country is not ready for that. However, despite the bigotry & prejudice, the talented young lady will be our next great superstar.
PS I would love to hear her sing At Last. I would rather go blind & those types of songs. She is BRILLIANT!