Jessica Sanchez in top 3 as ‘Idol’ trims hopefuls to 5

LOS ANGELES—Budding diva Jessica Sanchez was in the top three while Elise Testone won’t be winning it all on “American Idol” as the popular talent show trimmed its hopefuls to five.

With the finale less than a month away, Sanchez, 16, gave a soulful rendition of “Dance With My Father” by American R&B-soul singer-songwriter Luther Vandross.

“You’re so natural, your tendencies vocally, where you go with your melodies, your ideas, how it flows, and now you got the feeling in there, now you’re making the connection,”  said Idol judge Randy Jackson. “You know what’s wrong with it? Absolutely nothing!”

Filipino-Mexican  Sanchez, who hails from San Diego, California, was sent to the bottom by American Idol viewers two weeks ago, prompting the shocked judges to use their one-time save option.

Since then, the Filipino community in the US vigorously campaigned for their celebrity compatriot.

Testone, meanwhile, was revealed to have received the fewest viewer votes Thursday on the Fox singing competition. The rockin’ 28-year-old teacher delivered energetic renditions of Queen’s “I Want It All” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Bold as Love” on Wednesday but wasn’t able evade eviction after appearing at the bottom of the pack six times this season.

Testone was joined in the bottom three Thursday by 18-year-old vocalist Hollie Cavanagh, who tugged at the judges’ heartstrings with Queen’s “Save Me” and Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb,” and 18-year-old country rocker Skylar Laine, who wowed with Queen’s “The Show Must Go On” and Jason Aldean’s “Tattoos on This Town.”

In Testone’s  farewell tribute video, she said that her favorite part of her Idol journey was connecting with the other contestants. “I want to be an inspiration for people,” she said. “That’s what this is all about.”

Aside from Sanchez, the other singers in the top three  are powerful 20-year-old gospel singer Joshua Ledet and blusey 21-year-old pawn shop worker Phillip Phillips. The five finalists will return to the stage next Wednesday and face another elimination Thursday.

An 11th season “Idol” champion is scheduled to be crowned May 23. With the Associated Press

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