After the American Idol 2012 results show last Thursday, it is down to the final two contestants. If you have not seen result show from Thursday night you might want to stop reading. The stage is now set for what could be a really interesting final two showdown on Wednesday night. Both contestants have had some big hits and misses on the live shows. However you feel about either contestant there is no doubting that both performers are unique strong singers. So let’s look back at some highlights from the final two contestants’ American Idol 2012 journey.
WARNING: AMERICAN IDOL 2012 SPOILERS AHEAD!
Please do not continue reading if you do not want to know what happened on the American Idol 2012 results show on Thursday night and do not want to know who got voted off American Idol this week!
****************************************************************************************************
The final two are Philip Philips and Jessica Sanchez. As many predicted Joshua Ledet went home last Thursday. Here are some highlights from Philip Philips and Jessica Sanchez’s American Idol 2012 journey:
Philip’s Highlights:
I think Philip Philips really showed his vocal strengths and performance power in two of his performances this season. The first was singing “U Got It Bad” by Usher during the top seven redux show.
What made this performance memorable is he turned a R&B song into a Smooth Jazz number. It is not unusual for an American Idol contestant to take a pop song and really change up the melody. This season not many contestants dared to do what contestants like Adam Lambert, Blake Lewis, and David Cook became famous for doing, so Philip’s different version of “U Got It Bad” brought a new life to the show.
Not only did Philip Philips change up the song but he gave a really good vocal performance. It was very different from Usher’s version and that made it original and captivating.
My second favorite performance of his was when he sang Bob Seger‘s “We’ve Got Tonight” during the final three performance show.
Philip had sang songs that showcased his performance skills, instead of simple ballads most of the American Idol 2012 season. It was a riveting departure from his norm to hear him sing that song. Not only did he sing vocally mesmerizing, hitting all the notes, singing on key, and showing his vocal range, but he managed to create an emotional connection with the audience. I think something his performances lacked until this one.
Jessica’s Highlights:
Jessica Sanchez became one of the front-runners to win when she sang her amazing version of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”
Whitney Houston’a voice represents a power that only a few attempt to challenge, and even less match her skills. Jessica Sanchez managed a vocally perfect rendition of the song, without creating a copycat version of Ms. Houston. Jessica’s outfits sometime receive criticism for not being age appropriate, but in her “I Will Always Love You” performance the styling, dress, and lighting kept a simple elegance that let the vocals shine above everything else.
My second favorite performance of her was from top nine week; she sang “Sweet Dreams” by Beyonce.
That song has always been a personal favorite of mine, and I prefer the stripped down acoustic versions of it. Jessica changed the arrangement of the song a little and did a very theatrical performance. It felt like watching a scene from a Broadway musical. It completely impressed me.
Bonus Videos
Philip Philips and Jessica Sanchez have many amazing American Idol 2012 live show performances. Some more of their memorable moments happened before they became household names. Jessica has a lot of great youtube covers. She channels Beyonce again in her cover of ”Love On Top.”
Jessica Sanchez shows her youth and talent by hitting every note, but keeping her performance playful. On American Idol 2012 it often seems like she’s so concerned about hitting all the notes perfectly that she forgets to enjoy herself. This piece shows she can do both.
Philip Philips immediately captured the American Idol 2012 judges and America’s attention in his first audition. He sang “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder and “Thriller” by Michael Jackson.
In this audition, he shows his interesting voice, vocal range, and the singer-songwriter appeal by doing guitar versions of these songs.
These are my favorite highlights from Jessica Sanchez and Philip Philips, let us know yours in the comment box.
Based on these performances who do you think has the best chance of winning? What was your favorite Philip Philips performance of the season? What was your favorite Jessica Sanchez performance of the season? What was your favorite American Idol 2012 performance of any contestant, thus far?
Join us here at GossipandGab.com next week when we bring you the American Idol 2012 top 2 performance show and elimination results show live as they happen. Join us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all the latest American Idol 2012 news. Want even more American Idol 2012? Visit our sister site at AmericanIdolNet.com!
Sometimes i smell tactic. Letting someone who sings first or last. If you look at it, the last impression would get most of the vote. Let’s just say it’s nothing to worry about, but people have short memory. Then giving lousy songs (a sweet trap?). Celebrities/personalities in the audience – majority are what? Watch the camera where it’s pointed and what it says. Many people watching and voting. Judges comments influential to many as so the votes may be affected. It’s all about CONTROL. Common! Let’s be fair and let the true winner win. Don’t be fooled.
Girls in America are crazy over boys. That’s a fact! Male dominance. If a woman is competing against a man, women are quite submissive saying she doesn’t look good or she doesn’t deserve to win. Again, giving it all men. I guess, that is being dumb. A woman should support another woman, however, they would say just because she doesn’t look good enough forgetting how she can sing well. Again, this is just typical of women in America. No wonder there are reality shows making fun of women – fighting, yelling, sexist, name it.. but when it comes to men. Showing body, showing cars, displaying women – purely objectified. What do you think? If this is the kind of audience in America and majority belongs to this group. I wouldn’t wonder why if the result is unfavorable. Just think about it. I guess it’s time to change the culture and make it right. The society is so demoralized and even judgment is not reliable. Just judge right. I have nothing against Phil Philips, but i’m so over with too much of giggles and baloneys!
Truth Blind – they see the looks and mistaken it as talent. They can hear voice but cannot feel depth. I understand both contestants deserve to win, but who has the real depth and real talent? To be an artist, you should be a total package. Most importantly someone who has the voice and not the one who makes the giggles and blushing. The true winner should be the one who can give justice to the song (someone who can truly interpret it) making an impact to peoples’ lives, not just because how he/she dresses, or how she/he looks. THAT IS NOT TALENT. That is being biased. We are naturally born biased (we all have our preferences). Despite of our preferences, we should at least make the right judgment – not because we it’s according to someone or because we’re influenced. In fact, there shouldn’t be judges.. there should only be mentors (behind the curtains) to prevent biases. If we all judge someone according to what he/she said, or because we view the contestants or tag them wrongly then that’s NOT RIGHT JUDGEMENT. We are not being LOGICAL. If we ask ourselves and evaluate their performance, we have to make sure that we give our right judgment or we are one of those who are ILLOGICAL.
I’m 25 years old, and I’m a PHILIP PHILIPS fan! I’ve also seen mommies and grandmas who love PHIL, too. Hope people won’t be judgmental, as if they speak for everyone.
All Phillip’s fans are teen girls that don’t know crap about music only cute boys like Phillip, but he’s not really that cute…Makes too many funny faces when her sings hahaha…I take breaks when it’s his turn to sing…I guess I’m not into phillip like them teen girls…I seek for the best singer and he aint it!…:)
I totally agree w/ PhilFTW & Philfan…PP is pure talent…nuff said
Oh by the way, phil doesn’t need to dress well, because he’s got charming features, hahaha! he doesn’t need the best clothes to look good, he’s charming, no wonder ryan seacrest’s gal and stevie nicks have a huge crush on him. hahaha! and millions of girls and ladies out there. He can wear gray tops everyday and still looks good, he’s born with the charm and good looks, he doesn’t need a make-over! hahaha.. he’s got good genes from mommy and daddy, thanks to his family for bringing us philip philips and raising a simple man who’s not easily drawn by glits and glams. the same goes with scotty who doesn’t care about getting new clothes.
FOR THE RECORD, PHIL IS MULTI-TALENTED, he plays the guitar, piano, bass, drums, and many other instruments, he also does music composition, and he can arrange songs, too. who would dare sing an outstanding version of U GOT IT BAD in the tune of jazz music? Philip is my AI11 WINNER but I don’t go out of my way ruining other AI finalists only to make my Philip look good, that’s lame.
where is Scotty McCreery, he just topped the Billboard chart with “Clear as Day,” he broke billboard records at 17, he won BEST NEW ARTIST AT CMA, he’s got two nominations at Billboard awards, and his homecoming video was nominated at the Grammy Awards, and the boy has been busy touring with Brad recently. now tell me if Scotty stayed home forgotten? hahaha… And, only Philip Philips can top that, Season 10 has got Pia Toscano a vocal powerhouse but unfortunately her single was forgotten. It’s not all about vocal power, it’s abt STAR QUALITY AND MUSICALITY, THERE ARE MANY VOCAL POWERHOUSE OUT THERE, the bucket has already been full. ;-( AMERICAN IDOL IS LOOKING FOR AN ARTIST THAT CAN ATTRACT FANS, THAT CAN SELL RECORDS, ONE WITH HUGE FANBASE STICKING UNTIL THE END, I BET PHIL not being on the bottom 3 has already proven his strong fanbase. And, social media and youtube views won’t translate to sales, haley had overwhelming youtube views, but SCOTTY got the overwhelming sales, but no offense to Hailey I love her still, and she’s better than any Season11 female singer.
I don’t care for any of the contestants this year. None of them arem consistant in their performances. You never know from one song to another whether they’ll give a good performance. I don’t see eithr Phillip or Jessica standing out amongst existing artists. Even Joshua didn’t stand out.
Sure he sounded like a gospel/soul singer but there wasn’t anything unique about his perfomances.
The determining votes in the Finale: teen girls for P2 and US sailors for Jessica.
I am surprised at how many people still say that Jessica is not “pure american”, and therefore is not deserving to be an American Idol.
After her homecoming concert on top of the USS Midway, it should be clear to everyone that Jessica is every bit as American as anyone else. So the US naval personnel will vote for her, as evidenced in the surge of votes after the homecoming week.
The question is whether the number of sailor votes can overcome the fingers of the teen girls….. and some middle aged women as well.
@ jsfan>>Well said!… Jessica is already a star and will sell many Albums…Justin Bieber was 12 when he was discovered and I didn’t hear anyone complained about his age nor how he dressed for his young age…Is it because he’s a male?…Yep I bet that’s it!…Jessica if you are reading this whatever you do, don’t ever change how you dress, you are Beautiful inside and out….Girl You Got My Vote for sure!
I am very disappointed that Joshua is gone- he was the only male singer in this competition that matches Jessica’s vocal prowess. Their duet is my favorite of all group performances. Phillip will be crowned on Wednesday. He is very talented, charming, good looking, and above all, WGWG who appeals to mostly young women and teenagers, but unfortunately I find his songs BORING. They sound all the same to me, and he can’t carry a melody most of the time. Jessica on the other hand reaches my core of emotion when she sings her ballads. Also, I LOVE HER CLOTHES in Idol. I am a mother of 2 teenagers and I see nothing wrong with her clothes on Idol. If she were my daughter I would be so proud of her- she is what every parent of a 16 year old would want: conscientious, focused, hard working, and humble with truly God given talent. I wish people would stop criticizing her for her age; that she is too young to win Idol. Isn’t it a marvel that a 16 year old can deliver a heart wrenching performance, a song full of emotion despite her young inexperienced, innocent youth? Win or lose of AI, Jessica will be a legend someday. She will attend performing arts school (she has already won a scholarship). AI is just a stepping stone for her. FYI she will be performing on Memorial day in Public television. Try and listen to her rendition of “The Prayer.” Check out her Youtube perfromances. She has the most hits compared to other contestants. She will sell her music! One last thing- the show on Tuesday would have been a lot more interesting if it had been Joshua who competes with Jessica. Both have very similar vocal ability and range.
i really disagree with kadarwati. Jessica can sell albums. Haven’t you watch youtube lately? haven’t you read how many viewers and followers Jessica has. Though Jessica is not a pure american, she can sing and have viewer’s charm. Just shut up and watch Jessica will not just be an American idol wanna be, she will become a star..
Joshua should have been crowned as American Idol season 11. He has the best quality of the voice in this Idol season as well as the best entertaining singer. I just don’t understand you Americans…what were you listening at? How could you let Joshua Ledet out?!
Now between the two: Jessica or Phillip. I loose my appetite to even know who will win…who cares?!
The Top 3 – all very different – but artists in their own right. Would I buy a Joshua album? Yes. Would I buy a Phillip album? Yes. Would I buy a Jessica album? No. One only has to look at how many Idols have disappeared off the face of the earth to see that it’s not about who the public votes for but who sells albums at the end of the day.
No doubt about it,Jessica got an excellent voice. It Phillip Phillip wins, well it’s not a talent show anymore, it’s a “personality”/ beauty contest????? I miss Simon, he’s the best of all judges,he’s so honest everytime he commented. Some may have gotten hurt with the way he criticized their performance but that was the way of helping every contestants to grow and be more mature in accepting criticism. In music industry, selling an album is different from selling nice clothes or nice make up. People buy an album if they like the voice of the singer and the song they “HEAR”, they use their hearing in listening to music, not their eyes!!!!
Jessica’s “Love on Top” was awesome. Jessica deserves to win.
The final two. It hold be Joshua and Jessica.Well, Philip is no where compare to both Joshua and jessica when comes to voice range and song delivery. Philip should be out way long time. He has only a guitar to his credit. He plays well on his guitar.Other than that he has nothing to show. His voice range is as flat as the runway of an airport.he can’t go up nor down. He is monotonous and sings the same tune of songs from the start to the end.i rather believes he is more suitable as a pub singer. I finds it amusing that three of the judges even complimented him for his style of singing. Not that those three needs any votes from voters. I like to know what Simon have to say about Philip . Well the judges comments plays an important role to the voters. But unfortunately three of them are too diplomatic with their words. All they ever comment is always good and they judge according to what the voters likes. American idol should change its name to American popularity singing contest. If Philip ever wins I swear I will never watch it again. It is no meaning anymore. I can even sing and plays the guitar better than Philip.
Just so screw up
What happen to wgwg guys winners like David Cook, LeeDywyze, Kris Allen and Scotty McCreery? These are guys voted by girls because they are good looking guys. Well, what happened to them? Are they selling so many records that will surpass or even compete with Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood? American Idol is becoming a beauty contest or personality contest and not a singing talent competition. American Idol music producer would rather have a person who has a singing talent but unfortunately he is not getting it because the one who wins is more good looking or cute or have more personality and stage presence. I know there are many finalists there that deserve to win like Jennifer Hudson, Chris Daugherty, Adam Lambert, etc. There is always justice in the end and it will show who really is deserving. The sale of records and sustainability in both music and entertainment industries show who are really talented with music. Even though they do not win the American Idol crown, the awards and money they are earning now are much better. I am tired of reading comments like he is so cute and good looking guy, etc. There should be a change in the voting rules. Experts in music and music producers should have more weight than votes from mesmerized teenagers. because next year they will vote again for the good looking guys and beautifful girls. They will surely forget the winner last year. If this will continue that it is a good looking contest or personality contest then American Idol should change the contest into Mr. and MIss American Idol Beauty pageant.
It’s obvious they both want to win and they both deserve to win, but sadly there is only one winner and that would be Jessica, she deserves to be crowned American’s Idol
…They are both different in their singing, which is obvious and they are both good in their own unique way.. Jessica has an angelical voice that touches the hearts of people, her singing is more tangible and leaves many in awes…Where as Phillip is more of a kick back folk singer and I would enjoy listening to him, having a cup of late at a coffee shop…I am voting for JESSICA as many will 
My favorite performance and song from Jessica was when she sang that song by Whitney I Will Always Love You, Jessica was amazing, that’s when she captured my heart…Jessica is the only one that can sing that song besides Whitney Houston 
… So there you have it, Jessica will Win! Oh by the way I love the way Jessica dresses she has style and looks beautiful… Phillip should learn how to dress lol.