Sanchez to Debut New Single “Tonight” on “American Idol”

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Jessica Sanchez is returning to the American Idol stage…

The 17-year-old half-Mexican singer and last season’s runner-up will be back on Idol during Thursday night’s results show.

Right before the number of season 12 finalists is cut from nine to eight, Sanchez will perform on Fox’s reality singing competition, debuting her new single, “Tonight,” accompanied by special guest Ne-Yo.

Sanchez’s debut album via 19 Recordings/Interscope Records, called Me, You & the Music, will be available for pre-order on iTunes starting on March 21.

Sanchez’s fans will be able to download the new single the same night of her performance. And a fan-exclusive pre-order will also be available on March 21 at Sanchez’s official site and includes an instant download of “Tonight.”

Sanchez’s album is said to be “high-energy” and “beat-soaked.”

Meantime, Sanchez will guest star as a legendary singer from a rival high school on the May 2 episode of Fox’s Glee. She’ll also appear on the May 9 season finale.

Sanchez Performs “I Will Always Love You” for Billboard’s Whitney Tribute

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

She performed two Whitney Houston songs during her American Idol run… And, now Jessica Sanchez is honoring the late Grammy-winning singer’s memory with another cover.

The 17-year-old half-Mexican American singer performed Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” as part of Billboard’s weeklong tribute. Houston, who passed away a year ago this week, not only found legions of fans with her incomparable voice, she was also the galvanizing inspiration for generations of singers like Sanchez.

“Everything that Whitney did, she really made her mark,” says Sanchez, who performed “I Will Always Love You” to acclaim from the judges during her run on Idol last year. “The Bodyguard, I love that movie and the reason I sang, ‘I Will Always Love You’ today is that is one of my favorite songs from her. It was just such an amazing record and it really touched everybody. I don’t think anybody could ever sing it like her.”

Sanchez, who will make her acting debut on Glee later this year, may talk about about how Houston’s music has impacted her personally, but her sweet-voiced cover of the 1992 instaclassic and her emotional finish say more than words can.

Houston’s “I Will Love You” was the centerpiece of soundtrack for her 1992 film The Bodyguard. Houston took the bittersweet Dolly Parton-penned ballad all the way to No. 1 on the Hot 100 for 14 weeks.

“Her technique and her voice is completely different from anybody else, and that’s why she is Whitney Houston. That’s why she’s a legend,” says Sanchez, “and that’s why she was my biggest inspiration.”

Sanchez Preparing to Release Debut Single in February…

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Last year’s American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez is preparing to release her debut single next month…

The 17-year-old half-Mexican American singer, who collaborated with the Black Eyed Peas’ apl.de.ap on the promotional single “Jump In,” has revealed that she’s been hard at work on making music.

“I’ve been working on my album since the Idol tour and I just finished it up,” the pint-sized singer announced recently, saying she’s getting ready to release her debut single this February.

Sanchez’s first single is reportedly a duet with R&B crooner Ne-Yo, who is also one of the producers/songwriters who worked on her upcoming album.

When asked about the long time it has taken to release her debut album, Sanchez told MTV News, “I wanted to make it perfect for the fans. I’ve worked in the studio before, but going to that next level with such high producers? It was crazy … working with Ne-Yo. Everything was such a blur and I was just a fan girl the whole time.”

Despite the long wait since the end of the 11th season of Idol last summer, fans will soon get to hear the 16 tracks that Sanchez has recorded with song masters Toby Gad (One Direction, Kelly Clarkson), Harvey Mason Jr. (Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake) and Rykeyz (Wiz Khalifa, Fantasia Barrino).

“It’s me, soulful, but more dancey,” Sanchez said of her work. “It’s all completely me,” she said of her upbeat, mainstream pop disc with an R&B edge. “And I’m excited about all of it.”

In the meantime, Sanchez’s fans will get a chance to see her in her upcoming recurring role on Fox’s Glee.

Sanchez Collaborates with Black Eyed Pea’s apl.de.ap on “Jump In”

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Jessica Sanchez is ready to jump in full-force in her quest to become a successful international recording artist.

The 17-year-old half-Mexican/half-Filipina singer and American Idol runner-up has partnered with Black Eyed Peas member apl.de.ap to release the music video for their collaborative track “Jump In.”

During a recent trip to the Philippines, the soon-to-be Glee guest star took time out of her busy schedule to record the upbeat, bilingual dance tune in English and Tagalog, as well as shoot the music video with apl.de.ap, who was born in Pampanga, Philippines before moving to the U.S. and gaining international acclaim with the Peas.

The clip for the empowerment song, which includes inspiring scenes of people succeeding despite their obstacles/limitations, was directed by Canadian music video director Marc André Debruyne.

It’s supposed to be used as a promotional video for Smart Phones in the Philippines. No word on whether the single will appear on Sanchez’s forthcoming debut album.

It’s Official! Sanchez to Guest Star on “Glee”…

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Signed, sealed, delivered… Jessica Sanchez is Glee-bound.

The 17-year-old half Mexican singer and American Idol Season 11 runner-up has inked a deal to appear in a recurring role on Fox’s musical dramedy, as previously reported.

No details on what Sanchez’s role will be or when she’ll make her first appearance on the show, according to TVLine.

Since signing with Interscope Records, Sanchez – who recently debuted her single “Fairytale” – has been busy recording music for her debut CD. She recently tweeted that the studio has become her “second home.”

Sanchez performed at the 2012 City Of Hope Spirit of Life Awards Gala held at Exchange LA last Wednesday night, along with American Idol Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks, Britney Spears, The Pointer Sisters and Miley Cyrus.

City of Hope is a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

Thorne Named to Pop Dust’s 18 Under 18 List

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She’s already a popular Disney Channel star… And Bella Thorne is quickly becoming the next Selena Gomez.

The 14-year-old part-Cuban-American actress, who currently stars on the cable network’s dance-driven comedy series Shake It Up!, has made Pop Dust’s list of 18 Under 18, which ranks the best underage pop stars.

Thorne, the highest-ranking female and Hispanic celebrity on the list at No. 4, is riding the Shake It Up! train to success. Thorne has won a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) for her portrayal of aspiring dancer Cece Jones. And, she’s starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie Frenemies.

But that’s not all, Thorne has also landed on the Billboard Hot 100 twice, with Shake It up! singles “TTYLXOX” and “Watch Me.”

Meanwhile, American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez has cracked the list at No. 8.

The 17-year-old half-Mexican petite singer wowed audiences during her Idol run with performances of songs like Beyonce’s “Sweet Dreams” and Luther Vandross’ “Dance With My Father.”

Even though she didn’t win the AI title, Sanchez did receive unanimous praise from the judges and a record deal with Interscope Records. And, she recently shared her first single, “Fairytale,” with concertgoers.

Click here to see the complete 18 Under 18 list.

Sanchez Debuts New Single “Fairytale”

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Its full steam ahead for Jessica Sanchez as she continues on her journey to make her musical fairytale come true…

The 17-year-old half-Mexican singer and American Idol runner-up debuted new material at the Fox hit singing competition’s tour stop on Wednesday night in New York City.

Sanchez performed her new song “Fairytale” at a concert in New York on August 29, a radio-friendly pop song that should do well at Top 40 station’s everywhere.

The new track offers a sneak peek at what her new album with Interscope Records will sound like.

“What I did on the show was more competition mode. It was to show my vocals — ‘let’s sing some Celine Dion and Mariah Carey.’ Now it’s like, ‘I’m Jessica Sanchez and I have to do me,'” she recently told Zap2It.com. “It’s more of the urban, Rihanna kind of feel and the R&B kind of stuff. A little bit of pop. It’s just a big mixture of stuff, so it’s exciting.”

In addition, Sanchez—who will be performing in the Philippines following her Idol tour—told the crowd that she officially signed her contract with Interscope.

Sanchez to Perform in the Philippines

Posted on July 21, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She’s currently traveling the country as part of the American Idol Live! tour… But last season’s runner-up Jessica Sanchez is taking her vocal talents to her mother’s homeland.

The 16-year-old half-Mexican/half-Filipina singer will be heading to the Philippines this September.

Sanchez, who signed a recording deal with Interscope Records last month, will perform at a concert featuring 11 Idol finalists on September 21 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I’m so excited. It will be my first trip to the Philippines,” said Sanchez, who wowed audiences with her rendition of the National Anthem at Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reports that Sanchez could be headlining a solo tour in the Philippines following that Idol concert in Manila.

Sanchez would reportedly perform a series of shows in five cities this October, including stops in Manila, her mother’s hometown of Bataan, Baguio, Cebu and Davao.

An additional show to be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila is being negotiated, according to the paper’s sources.

No specific dates are known at this time

Sanchez Lands Record Deal with Interscope Records

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s official… Jessica Sanchez will be recording music in the near future.

The 16-year-old half-Mexican American Idol runner-up—who will be making a multi-episode appearance on Glee next season—has signed a new record deal at Idol mentor Jimmy Iovine’s Interscope Records.

News of Sanchez’s signing should come as little surprise to Idol viewers, who saw Iovine repeatedly sing her praises throughout Season 11.

Sanchez, who recently sang a rousing rendition of the National Anthem at the NBA Finals, will be releasing her debut album in October.

It will reportedly feature a more urban flavor devoid of the middle-of-the-road ballads Sanchez performed on the show.

Sanchez to Appear on Fox’s “Glee” Next Season…

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She may have lost the American Idol title to Phillip Phillips… But that hasn’t stopped Jessica Sanchez from having the most gleeful year of her life.

Following her emotionally charged performances of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Capitol Hill and at Game One of the NBA Finals, the 16-year-old half-Mexican singer is reportedly thisclose to signing on for a multi-episode arc on Fox’s hit musical dramedy Glee.

Details on Sanchez’s character are being kept under tight wraps, but according to TVLine the pint-sized singer would join the Ryan Murphy-Brad Falchuk series midway through its upcoming fourth season. And, she’d join high-profile additions Sarah Jessica Parker and Kate Hudson, who have both signed on for multiple episodes.

Glee will move from its longtime home on Tuesdays to Thursday nights starting in September when it will be paired with Fox’s reality juggernaut Idol.

Sanchez—who successfully tackled music by divas Whitney Houston, Beyonce and Jennifer Holliday to land in the American Idol finale— will most likely join the series after the completion of Idol‘s summer concert tour.

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