Now in Top 5, Jessica Sanchez moves closer to being best Fil-Am on 'American Idol'

Filipino-Mexican Jessica Sanchez made it to the Top 5 of the reality singing competition "American Idol" as the show said goodbye to contestant Elise Testone of South Carolina.

Sanchez moves closer to being the best contestant with Filipino blood to make it on the show after Jasmine Trias, who came in third in "American Idol’s" third season. 

Sanchez on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning in Manila) wowed judges with her two performances:

• "Bohemian Rhapsody" by the band Queen, and
• "Dance with my Father" by the late singer Luther Vandross.

According to a report of People.com, after Sanchez sang "Dance with my Father," judge Randy Jackson said: “You know what’s wrong with it? Absolutely nothing.” 
 
Sanchez dedicated the song to her father, a military man.

On the other hand, "American Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez said, "“That may have been the best I've ever heard that song sung."

Another judge, Steven Tyler added: “I don't think you could sing a song bad.”

On Sanchez's Twitter account, one of her fans, @NatashaRakiah, said: "'Dance With My Father" made me AND my father cry last night, that's been our song since I was little. Thank you."

Another fan, @booyah_imshan said: "your second performance made me cry, wow that was so beautiful ♥"

Calling for votes

After her performance, Sanchez, on Twitter, said: "Really scared about tonight."

She urged people to vote for her saying, "There's no more save... Each vote really makes a difference!"

Sanchez was nearly eliminated from the show two weeks ago when she received the lowest number of votes.

The three "American Idol" judges — Jackson, Lopez, and Tyler — used their one and only save for the season to save her from being booted out of the show.

Top 5 of Season 11

Apart from Sanchez, the other four contestants in the Top 5 of Season 11 of "American Idol" are:

• Hollie Cavanagh, 18, of McKinney, Texas
• Joshua Ledet, 19, of Westlake, Los Angeles
• Phillip Phillips, 21, of Leesburg, Georgia, and
• Skylar Laine, 18, of Brandon, Mississippi.

Sanchez of San Diego, California, is the youngest remaining contestant at 16 years old.

Inspired by Beyonce, Celine Dion

On her profile on the official site of "American Idol," Sanchez said she counts singers Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Etta James, among those who have influenced her musical style.

Sanchez said Beyonce is her favorite female artist for being a "very empowering woman, amazing performer and vocalist."

On her favorite male artist, Sanchez said:  "I love Eminem. He isn't a singer but he raps with so much conviction and feeling. I love artists that just do what they do with so much passion and emotion."

Second best achievement so far

So far, among the contestants with Filipino blood, Sanchez has the second best achievement.

Trias ranked third in "American Idol’"s third season. 
 
Before Sanchez, latest "Idol" contestant of Filipino descent was Thia Megia who finished in the Top 11 of last year's competition.

Before Megia came Ramiele Malubay who placed ninth in the seventh season. 
- with Andrei Medina, Veronica Pulumbarit, GMA News