Fil-Am makes 'Idol' Top 24

MANILA, Philippines - Another Filipino-American has made it to the top 24 of “American Idol.”

Sixteen-year-old Jessica Sanchez hurdled a grueling audition process presided over by celebrity judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson to snag a spot in the coveted Top 24.

The other contestants who made it to the top 24 are Creighton Fraker, Joshua Ledet, Reed Grimm, Heejun Han, Phil Phillips Jr., Colton Dixon, Adam Brock, Aaron Marcellus,

Eben Franckewitz, Chase Likens, Jeremy Rosado, Deandre Brackensick, Jen Hirsh, Haley Johnson, Elise Testone, Erika Van Pelt, Chelsea Sorrell, Baylie Brown, Brielle Von Hugel, Hallie Day, Shannon Magrane, Hollie Cavanagh and Skylar Laine.

In 2004, Jasmine Trias, a Filipino-American from Hawaii, was a finalist on the third season of American Idol.

Aside from Trias, Camille Velasco, Ramielle Malubay and Thia Megia, all of Filipino descent, have advanced to the finals of American Idol.

Sanchez, who hails from Southern California, won the judges’ nod for her powerful rendition of the “Prayer” and will move on to the next live show on Wednesday.

Lopez said she found what she was looking for in Jessica.

Sanchez said she wanted to win American Idol to help her financially troubled family.

“My mom is unemployed,” Sanchez revealed at the show.

“My family has spent so much money because of me. So everything is at stake,” she added.

Jessica started singing at the age of 2, and counts Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera and Whitney Houston as her musical influences.

She said landing in the Top 24 was a dream come true.

“I’ve been watching American Idol since I was five-years-old,” Sanchez said.

Host Ryan Seacrest joked that Sanchez brought her whole clan to the show.

“Your family is the biggest thing that has happened to us!” Seacrest said upon seeing the large group of people crowding around Sanchez.

“I’m doing this for myself [and]… my family,” Sanchez told Seacrest. “I’m tired of seeing my family struggle.”