'Glee' Roundup: Jessica Sanchez Officially Cast, Bette Midler to Guest Star and More

via buddytv.com

Jessica Sanchez has been confirmed to appear on Glee. But that's not the only casting news: Bette Midler has agreed to guest star after being invited on by Ryan Murphy. And some of the cast have tweeted out photos giving a sneak peek at upcoming episodes.

Jessica Sanchez Officially Cast on Glee

It's now official: American Idol season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez will be heading to Glee in a recurring role, according to TVLine, which means she'll be appearing in multiple episodes. BuddyTV reported back in June that she was in talks to join the show. And just last month, she told reporters that "Nothing's confirmed ... But it's in the works." Now that her stint on the American Idol Live! Tour is past her, she can focus on not only her debut album (which will most likely be released in November or December), but also on this acting gig as well.

No other details are known about Jessica's role on Glee just yet, such as who her character will be or if she'll pop up at McKinley High or be a part of the New York storyline, or something else altogether (maybe a member of another Glee Club?). But it wouldn't be surprising if creator Ryan Murphy tweets out spoilers as they plan out her character. He even tweeted this out last night: "Michael Ausiello broke news of Jessica Sanchez on Glee. With voices like Jessica, Lea, Naya, Melissa, Amber, and Jenna...Streisand episode?"

Get Ready for Bette Midler

Speaking of Ryan Murphy spilling the beans on Twitter, he was at the God's Love We Deliver Golden Heart Awards in New York last night and during his speech, he invited a certain entertainment icon to appear on the show: "I just asked the incredible Bette Midler to be on Glee in front of 1,000 people. I hope she says yes!" Three hours later, he gave an update with her answer: "Bette said yes! Amazing. I am plotting...who should she play?" Normally, a TV show would create a character first, then focus on casting. But this is Glee, and we all know Ryan doesn't always conform to convention.

To show this wasn't just Ryan Murphy letting the news slip prematurely, Bette Midler herself tweeted out a confirmation and gave an idea for who she should play: "And from the stage, @ryanmurphy invited me to guest on @Glee! I should get out more!! ... Ok, @rpmurphy, I have one vote for Rachel's grandmother...hmmmm. I'm thinking, I'm thinking!!" Now, keep in mind that, almost two years ago, Ryan also invited Anne Hathaway to guest star on the show (and she not only said yes, but knew what character she wanted to take on), but that never ended up happening. But still, if you're excited by this news, fingers crossed.

Why Manila visit is Jessica Sanchez’s big goal

JESSICA Sanchez on Skype. videograb

Jessica Sanchez’s endorsement contract with Philippine clothing brand Bench is said to be worth at least six figures in US dollars.

“We are thrilled to welcome the voice that has won the hearts of many. Truly proud to have Jessica Sanchez (@JSanchezAI11) part of the #Benchsetter family,” said Bench on its Twitter account last week.

This is the first Philippine product endorsement for the Fil-Am singing sensation after her first runner-up finish in “American Idol” this year. Jollibee is also said to have formally offered her an endorsement deal.

Sanchez, who turns 17 on Saturday, and Korean actor Lee Min-ho are the latest international celebrities to sign up with Bench. The list includes Bruno Mars, David Archuleta, Michael Trevino, Lucy Hale, Joe Jonas, and Super Junior members Choi Siwon and Lee Donghae.

 

‘Crazy stuff’

 

On Sunday, Sanchez chatted with her Filipino fans via Skype video at a promotional event held in SM Megamall.

 

Asked about her coming debut album, Sanchez said it would have “crazy stuff”  that would reveal both her fun and serious sides. (The album will be released in October on Interscope Records.)

Broadway.com said Sanchez was “in talks” to play the lead role in the film adaptation of the award-winning stage musical “Miss Saigon,” to be directed by Lee Daniels. Other online news sites reported that she was “in negotiations” to join the fourth season of the TV series “Glee.”

These will all have to wait until the end of this year’s “American Idols Live!” tour. The concert series—which features the top 10 finalists and has 45 dates in North America—winds up Sept. 21 at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The visit to the Philippines, where her mother was born, is her biggest goal at the moment, Sanchez said during Sunday’s video chat.

An online post of the show’s repertoire indicates that Sanchez has seven production numbers and three solo spots. “Expect a lot of fun and dancing,” she told her Filipino fans.

Join us on

 

 

via entertainment.inquirer.net

 

'American Idol' Runner-Up Jessica Sanchez Signs Label Deal

After months of praise and encouragement during her run at the title, season 11 "American Idol" runner-up Jessica Sanchez has landed a major-label deal alongside winner Phillip Phillips. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the 16-year-old high schooler has inked a deal with show mentor Jimmy Iovine's Interscope Records. The pint-size diva's debut album is debut is due out in October and will eschew the big, poppy ballads Sanchez was saddled with on the show for a more urban-flavored sound that matches her expressive voice.

 

Jessica Sanchez Assures 'American Idol Isn't Fixed'

 

Though details about producers and songwriters for the as-yet-untitled disc have not yet been released, Sanchez appears to have already begun work on it. For the past week, Sanchez has tweeted a series of messages to her followers about the recording grind, including one on Sunday, in which she wrote, "Another day at the studio #musicmakin'." Earlier, she told them, "At the stuuuuudio recording some amazing tracks for the upcoming album ;) <3"

You may think you know her from her soaring Mariah and Whitney ballads on the show, but when it comes to her album, well, you have no idea.

"I don't want people to just hand me music and be like, 'Here, you sound good on this. Sing it.' I want to be able to say, 'This is me,' " Sanchez told MTV News recently , adding that she has high hopes for some A-list contributors on the album.

"This is going to seem odd, but I love Eminem, because he has so much conviction and emotion in the way he raps; every word that he raps, you feel it," she said. "And I think our talents would mesh. So, hopefully, it could happen, and I would just die if he'd collaborate with me!"

Sanchez will have to keep the tracks rolling on the road, since the "Idol" top 10 are preparing to kick off their summer tour on July 6 with a show in Detroit. After some health issues that threatened to sideline him for the outing, champ Phillips appears to be on the mend following kidney surgery .

During recent tour rehearsals, Sanchez said it was great to get the gang back together. "It's so much fun," she said of reuniting with her "Idol" pals. "It's just like the old days when we were first auditioning and everyone was just a big family and just jamming out."

At last week's Newark, New Jersey, auditions for the upcoming 12th season of "Idol," host Ryan Seacrest reacted to rumors of Sanchez possibly joining the cast of "Glee" and said he's all for it. "I saw that [and] I wasn't surprised she made the cast of 'Glee,'" he said of reported talks between the singer and show runner Ryan Murphy about a multi-episode arc in the middle of the upcoming fourth season. "I was surprised that Phillip wasn't asked to be on the cast ... He's perfect for 'Glee!' I'm kidding you, I'm kidding you, he's doing just fine without! But I think that's perfect for her, that's what this show can do for you."

 

via mtv.com

 

‘American Idol’ Finalist Jessica Sanchez Sings The National Anthem: Watch

Jessica Performs The National Anthem

 

Phillip Wins!

Season 11 is over, and Phillips is the new American Idol. Read More »

Jessica Sanchez may not have won the 11th season of American Idol, but we all know that not-winning isn’t necessarily a deterrent from having a successful career. (See: Adam Lambert, Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson.) Though she may not walk away with an album deal from 19 Recordings, she can at least use these post-Idol promotional opportunities to show the world she’s worthy of being signed by a label who knows talent when they hear it. And the first step to proving your worth as a pop diva is to absolutely slay during a performance of the National Anthem — which the 16-year-old did as part of a PBS Memorial Day concert on Monday (May 28) in D.C. Not a missed note or a flubbed lyric to be found, which is more than we can say for last year’s runner-up.

via idolator.com

 

'American Idol' Runner-Up Jessica Sanchez Rumored For 'Miss Saigon'

via mtv.com

 

 

Fresh off inking her first record deal with Interscope, "American Idol" runner-up Jessica Sanchez is now rumored to be in contention for the lead role in the film adaptation of "Miss Saigon."

A musical adaptation of the opera "Madame Butterfly," "Miss Saigon" is a tragic tale of doomed love between a Vietnamese prostitute and an American G.I. in Saigon during the Vietnam War. According to Broadway.com, 16-year-old Sanchez is in talks for the tough title role of Kim.

The Lee Daniels-directed film has been in preproduction for the past three years. Writers include Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel SchÖnberg, who penned Les Misérables, which is also being released on film, starring Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman.

The pop opera, full of ballads, seems right up Sanchez's alley. The pint sized belter shone on "American Idol" by nailing the likes of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" to her finale song, "Change Nothing."

Although the young singer has never acted, she has already received support from the original "Miss Saigon" of Broadway, Lea Salonga, who was a mere 18-years-old when she took on the role. "If she's the one that they've chosen, or she's somebody in serious consideration, then that's a good thing," Salonga said. "We all know she's talented, we all know she's actually quite beautiful."

No release date has been announced for the film, but Sanchez is not the only actress vying for the part: The rumor mill claims "Glee" guest star Charice is also in consideration.

Do you think Jessica Sanchez would be a good fit for "Miss Saigon"? Share your comments below!

via mtv.com

 

Phillip Phillips’ ‘Journey to the Finale’ Debuts at #11 on the Billboard 200; Jessica Sanchez at #126

The sales numbers are beginning to roll in for the new American Idol winner! Phillip Phillips‘ compilation album Journey to the Finale debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 this week. Quite impressive. His set sold roughly 24,000 copies.

Unfortunately, for Runner-Up Jessica Sanchez, her similar set  moved 4,000 units for a No. 126 debut. While this is too early to say, is this an indication of post-show success? Who knows.

Exact sales numbers for Phillips’ debut single “Home” are expected to post today.

Brian Mansfield with USA Today tweeted:

brian_mansfield @brian_mansfield 

Just saw Phillip Phillips single sales for last week. Gotta say: I'm impressed. Posting soon.

via rickey.org

 

‘American Idol’ Season 11 Finale Performance Rankings

via buddytv.com

#1 Jessica Sanchez and Jennifer Holiday
Songs: “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going" from Dreamgirls

Two insanely huge voices doing the biggest song imaginable, and it was a giant success. I hope the show permanently retires the song after this, because there’s no point to anyone ever singing it again on American Idol. If you were to make a shortlist of the greatest performances in 11 seasons on the how, this one would have to be a part of the discussion.

'Idol' moves toward lower payouts for runners-up

ANTHONY McCARTNEY

(AP) In this Wednesday, May 23, 2012 file photo, finalist Jessica Sanchez arrives at the... Full Image

 

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Coming in second on "American Idol" may still be a path to superstardom, but it no longer offers guaranteed paychecks worthy of the next pop idol or rock star.

Wednesday night's runner-up, 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez, doesn't have a definite shot at producing an album and could be paid as little as $30,000 in advances for recording singles, according to the "Idol" contract she and other Season 11 contestants signed earlier this year.

The agreement appears to be the first time in "Idol's" history that producers are not offering the show's runner-up an album deal that in previous years came with a guaranteed advance of at least $175,000, an Associated Press review of the Fox show's contracts reveals.

The analysis covers eight of "Idol's" 11 seasons during which contracts filed for contestants under the age of 18 were available. The contracts were reviewed by judges in accordance with a California law that requires at least 15 percent of a minor entertainer's earnings be set aside for their benefit once they reach adulthood.

 

The reduced royalty advance covers the period immediately following the show. In addition to recording new music, the series' winners and finalists are obligated to perform in a concert tour and lend their likeness to a Walt Disney World Resort attraction in Florida.

If Sanchez is given an album deal following the show, she will receive the same $175,000 bonus that Lauren Alaina was paid after placing second in the show's 10th season. But 19 Recordings Inc., which has the option to handle the albums and recordings of Idol contestants for several years after they appear on the show, has replaced a guaranteed album deal for the runner-up with a staggered "Development Period" that requires less music and pays out less in advances.

Sanchez could be paid as little as $30,000 if she is asked to perform four single songs, or $60,000 if she records an "EP" of between four and 10 songs.

Representatives for 19 Recordings Inc. and "American Idol" producer FremantleMedia declined comment. They also have not disclosed which recording deal would be offered to Sanchez.

"It makes sense. You can't continue to offer the same sorts of rewards and incentives when the program was averaging 25 to 30 million (viewers), and (now) the finale is barely breaking 20 million," said Northwestern University assistant professor Max Dawson, who teaches a course on reality television. Wednesday's finale was the lowest-rated final show for "Idol" in its history.

 

(AP) In this May 23, 2012 file photo, finalists Phillip Phillips, left, and Jessica Sanchez... Full Image

"These contracts don't pay off," he said, contrasting the long list of "Idol" alumni who have been dropped by record labels with those who have thriving careers. "It seems like the successes that people like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have had are the flukes."

He noted that the recording industry has shifted toward single song sales in recent years, and even established artists are struggling to sell full albums. "I wouldn't be surprised, quite frankly, if this is the direction they head with the winners," Dawson said.

Buyers purchased nearly 1.3 billion single songs last year as opposed to 331 million albums, said Dave Bakula, Nielsen's senior vice president of analytics for SoundScan. He noted that there have been some successful "Idol" runners-up, but producers appear to be giving themselves more flexibility with how they develop artists in different genres.

"Idol" winner Phillip Phillips will receive the same $300,000 advance given to last year's winner, Scotty McCreery, upon completion of his first album, according to the contracts. Finalists who placed third and lower could receive deals to record singles, EPs or full albums, with the lowest advance amounting to $24,000 if they complete their commitment to record up to four single songs.

Higher advances are paid if 19 Recordings agrees to produce more albums, with Phillips eligible to receive up to $800,000 for a six-album deal.

The advances are paid and later deducted from the singer's song royalties.

"As the music industry is changing, it makes sense for 'Idol' to change as well," Dawson said.

Despite the contract reductions, there are more opportunities for recent "Idol" contestants to earn money than their predecessors. Phillips will be paid $200,000 for his Disney attraction work and Sanchez will rake in $50,000 for her appearances. Both are also set to get a cut of merchandise profits.

No matter what recording deal Sanchez is offered, she already has heavyweight Hollywood representation. In March, a judge approved a deal in which she will be represented by Creative Artists Agency for future television, personal appearance and other employment deals.

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'American Idol,' Season 11, Who Was Voted Off?: TV Recap (Goodbye Hollie )

By Stephanie Krikorian

FOX

With the coveted home town hero visit on the line, four became three tonight on the “American Idol” results show.

But before their fate was revealed the foursome kicked the show off with a snoozy version of “California Dreamin”” by the Mamas and Papas.

Then, we got down to business, or so we thought. First up, double P as Ryan said. Jimmy called Phillip’s performance the beginning of Phillip coming into his own. But Ryan didn’t reveal a thing. He told Phillip to return to “the couch,” but said, those are not the results. Which means what?

Next up was Hollie, who struggled on her second showing last night. Jimmy understood why the judges were okay with Hollie’s Journey showing, but he didn’t agree. And of her Bonnie Raitt performance, Jimmy said, “she hit the opera button” and “crashed and burned.” But still, the torture for us and them continued as she too was sent back to the couch.

Irritatingly, results were still not in. But David Cook was in…the house, that is…and sang “The Last Song I’ll Write For You.”

Then it was Joshua’s turn not to hear results or to hear them, as Ryan was messing around. Jimmy wasn’t in love with the first song for Joshua, ‘You Raise Me Up.” But of his second song, he said Joshua, “created a piece of magic.”

Same deal for Joshua who was told to, “hang tight on the couch,” from Ryan code for, “we’re dragging this out.”

And then Jessica was up to hear her reviews. Jimmy wasn’t sure her pick to “impersonate Etta James” was a great idea and didn’t like her relying on the growl. But he was a fan of her second song, saying she “murdered it” and it was “shock and awe” and went on to say that Tommy Mottola called him about how great Jessica was.

JLo left the judges table and hit the stage for a performance, singing “Dance Again” in a v-cut-to-the-belly sequin cat suit. And they pulled out all the extra stuff: lasers, flames, wind and shoulder pumps.

To waste a little more time, Ryan polled the judges on how well everyone has done. Blah, blah, blah…they said how much they loved each person and how far they’d each come.

Then we finally got down to it.

First person to be cleared for the top three: Jessica.

Next to be a part of the final three: Joshua.

Then it was down to Phillip and Hollie, awaiting their fate.

And after a regular position in the final three, week after week, followed by a comeback of major proportion, Hollie was sent home and Phillip remained in good standing, landing a spot on the private jet and a hometown tour along with Joshua and Jessica.

Do you think Hollie outlived her stay? Was it her time to go? Or was someone else due to leave? Follow Stephanie Krikorian on Twitter @tvnewschick.

via blogs.wsj.com

Who’s going home? Who’s your favorite? – American Idol 11 Top 6 Poll

via rickey.org

American Idol 11 Top 6 take on the music of Queen and a personal choice.

Jessica Sanchez was amazing with Bohemian Rhapsody and Dance with My Father! Please don’t let her get voted off!

My favorites were Phillip Phillips who finally sang a Dave Matthews song — and BDND™ Joshua Ledet’s Ready For Love.

So who’s going home? Who was your favorite? Take the poll at Rickey.org

American Idol judges save Jessica Sanchez

(Reuters) - Jessica Sanchez, the youngest finalist on TV singing contest "American Idol," was dramatically saved from elimination on Thursday by the show's judges as she performed a last chance song to prove she was worthy of continuing.

With Jennifer Lopez leading the way, fellow judges Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler stormed the stage and announced they were using their only "save" to keep Sanchez on the show shortly after Sanchez was told she had received the fewest fan votes this week.

"Give me that mic!," Lopez exclaimed as she rushed up to Sanchez. "This is crazy!"

This season, "Idol" judges were allotted one "save" to override audience votes and keep a promising contestant on the show. All of them must agree, and if the "save" had not been used by next week's performance, it would have expired.

Sanchez, who sang Deborah Cox's song "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" to close out the show, appeared bewildered by both her last place finish and her save.

Then again, bewilderment seemed to be a theme of a wild evening on the No. 1-rated U.S. TV singing contest.

Host Ryan Seacrest began by directing contestants to opposite sides of the stage without telling them which group was safe and which group was in danger of going home. With three singers in each group, Seacrest told remaining contestant Skylar Laine that she would stay and instructed her to "pick the group you think you belong with."

After a shocked Laine protested, Seacrest guided her to a group he finally pronounced as safe, leaving Elise Testone, Joshua Ledet and Sanchez in the bottom three. All three judges expressed confusion and dismay with this outcome. At the end of the show, Jackson admonished audiences to vote more wisely.

This week, audiences judged contestants based on performances of songs from the present decade in Wednesday night's telecast.

Thursday's results episode featured two performances from former "Idol" contestants. Jennifer Hudson, who received an assist from Ne-Yo, sang "Think Like a Man", and James Durbin sang his song "Higher than Heaven."

"Idol", which first aired in on Fox in 2002, has launched the careers of singers Kelly Clarkson and Adam Lambert. Audiences vote for their favorite performers by phone and text message each week as contestants are challenged by a variety of musical styles. The winning contestant receives a recording contract. This season's winner will be decided in May.

American Idol 11 Top 7 Redux: Each Contestant to Perform Two Songs

via rickey.org

After a shocking…or not so shocking — depending on your viewpoint — American Idol 11 Top 7 results show, Nigel Lythgoe has tweeted the first reveal regarding next week’s performances.

Now that the save is out of the way, we can get back to business. Next week, the Top 7 will perform two songs each. Bye, bye, duets and trios!