'American Idol' alum Jessica Sanchez to issue debut album April 30 - Los Angeles Times
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‘American Idol’ alum Jessica Sanchez to issue debut album April 30

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Nearly a year after Philip Phillips edged her out of being “American Idol’s” first female victor since 2006, Jessica Sanchez is making her debut.

The 17-year-old mini pop diva will issue her post-“Idol” debut, “Me, You & the Music,” on April 30, 19 Recordings/Interscope Records announced Thursday.

Sanchez, who also competed on the first season of “America’s Got Talent,” won over “Idol” viewers during the singing compeition’s 11th season with stunning covers of Beyoncé, Jazmine Sullivan and Whitney Houston that made her an early front-runner. She placed second behind Phillips.

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The singer will return to the “Idol” stage Thursday to perform the album’s first single, “Tonight.”

Featuring Ne-Yo, the track takes a page from the dance-driven R&B-pop; that while incredibly generic is prime for radio. It’s dancey, the chorus is sticky enough to sing along with and Sanchez’s voice packs a wallop.

Here’s to hoping “Me, You & the Music” features some of the sass and diva-worthy pop power ballads and R&B; grooves that her voice is tailor-made for. Good thing she tapped Benny Benassi, Harvey Mason Jr., Rodney Jerkins, Stargate and Toby Gad -- producers responsible for hits from Beyoncé, Rihanna, Jennifer Hudson and Demi Lovato -- for the album.

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Sanchez is also set to appear in a two-episode arc on Fox’s “Glee,” where she will play a legendary singer from a rival high school. Her episodes will air in May.

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