Jessica After AI

One good turn deserves another.

After her first homecoming last year, Jessica Sanchez is coming back for a Valentine concert, Jessica Sanchez Live in Concert!, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 14, together with Colton Dixon, who finished seventh in last year’s American Idol (AI) in which Jessica placed second to Phillip Phillips. It’s the two AI graduates’ second time to perform here, the first having been last year when they did a show on Sept. 21 also at the Big Dome with the rest of the AI Top 10 finalists.

Since her AI win, Jessica, 17, has been involved in a whirlwind of activities that included a 45-day US tour (also with the AI Top 10 finalists) and appearances in several shows such as those of Neil Diamond, Babyface and David Foster (featured two Sundays ago in Conversations) at the 26th Annual Carousel Ball of Hope at the Beverly Hilton, which featured George Clooney as an honoree. She also performed at the City of Hope Spirit of Life Awards Gala in L.A. with Jordan Sparks and Miley Cyrus, the 2012 BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Los Angeles Brittania Awards and the Trevor Live 2012! benefit event also in L.A., along with Glee actors Darren Criss, Naya Rivera, Matthew Morrison, Jane Lynch and Kevin McHale.

Her album Walmart Exclusive EP has just been released locally by MCA Music, Inc., featuring some of her memorable performances on AI — her impressive rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You, her sultry cover of Beyoncé’s Sweet Dreams, her soulful version of Jazmine Sullivan’s Stuttering, her duet of I Knew You Were Waiting For Me with AI finalist Joshua Ledet and her finale AI song Change Nothing.

Last Tuesday, Jessica (who was in L.A.) did an exclusive phone interview with Conversations. Excerpts:

You are spending Valentine’s Day in Manila. You know, Valentine’s Day is big deal in the Philippines. How is it in the US?

“Uhm, yeah, I have hundreds of supporters and fans, and I’m expecting them to join me in Manila on Valentine’s Day. I’m very excited and very blessed. How do I usually spend Valentine’s Day? You see, I spend Valentine’s like every other day…I mean, in school sometimes me and my friends exchange Valentine cards. I spend the day at home with my family.”

Do you have any favorite Valentine (love) song like everybody else?

“Uhm, I have none in particular but on my concert in Manila I’m singing a very special Tagalog love song, Ikaw.”

How long did it take you to learn that song?

“I think I learned how to sing Ikaw when I was 12. I’m very, very excited to sing it for my Filipino fans.”

Any other Tagalog songs that you know?

“Uhm, when I was like seven or eight, I used to sing other Tagalog songs. I really hope that one day I can write a song in Tagalog and include it in my album.”

Are you dedicating Ikaw to somebody in particular?

“Not somebody in particular but to all my fans in Manila, especially to all the couples who will be in the audience.”

Oh by the way, have you recovered from your first homecoming last year?

“Yeah. That was ridiculous! Hehehehe! Even though I’m not there now, I’m told that people see me on TV (Jollibee commercial) and on billboards (as endorser for Bench). I heard that the Mega magazine has just come out and I’m on the cover. That makes me even more excited to go back there. I look forward to spending a good time with the people out there.”

When you look back at that homecoming, what’s most memorable to you?

“Uhm, I think what’s most memorable was meeting my fans over there. I still remember every single one of them. Hearing them say my name was so beautiful. I know that their support has helped me a lot. I think the people were so nice to me.”

After your concert, are you planning to take time out to see more of the country?

“Oh my gosh, I really wish I could go to Bataan and visit my relatives there. But I think the week that I’m there, I’ll be very busy…busier than I was the first time I was there. Not this time. Maybe next time, I will stay longer.”

You’re turning 18 on Aug. 4 (born in 1995). Happy birthday in advance.

“Oh, thank you!”

How do you plan to celebrate your 18th birthday?

“Uhm, I mean, hopefully, I can, like, be with my family in the Philippines. That would be fun!”

The new season of American Idol has just opened. What memories does AI bring back to you?

“Oh, fond memories. It brings back the whole experience, from the time I started on it to the time the competition ended. The whole process!”

Aside from your privacy, what did you sacrifice for AI?

“What did I sacrifice? Uhm, I guess I did sacrifice a lot of things, and my family, too. But I’m glad that, you know, everything paid off. So I’m working really hard to give the support back. I just finished my album (Walmart Exclusive EP). I hope my fans like it.”

After AI, you went on a US and world tour with the other finalists. What’s next?

“Oh, yes, I’m appearing on Glee and I’m singing on American Idol.”

What about Miss Saigon, are you auditioning for it (specifically for the role of Kim? (Note: Cameron Mackintosh confirmed in a Conversations interview during the Les Miserables junket in Tokyo in December last year that Miss Saigon will be restaged but didn’t say whether it would be in London’s West End or on Broadway. Auditions were done in Manila last year.)

“No word on that yet.”

Your co-AI graduate Colton Dixon is performing with you on your Valentine concert. How many songs are you doing together?

“We might do some songs together, but you’ll never know. We want it to be a big surprise.”

Anything more you want to say to your Filipino fans?

“Just that I love you guys, and I’m really, really looking forward to seeing you again. I promise you the best Valentine you ever had. See you all!”

(Note: The Philippine STAR is one of the sponsors of Jessica Sanchez Live in Concert!, produced by Ovation Productions. Ticket prices: P10,560 Patron VIP [Reserved Seating]; P8,976 Patron [Reserved Seating]; P6,864 Lower Box VIP [Reserved Seating]; P5,808 Lower Box Regular [Reserved Seating]; P3,907 Upper Box A [Reserved Seating]; P2,851 Upper Box B [Free Seating]; and P792 General Admission [Free Seating]. Call Ticketnet at 911-5555.)

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