In good company

Jessica Sanchez had it coming.

We all know she has tools and we all know that at 16, she has outperformed and outplayed her other foes. But with Phillip Philips’ insane Southern support, it was only a matter of time for her to succumb to the American.

After all, this is American Idol and not Fil-Mexican Idol.

However, it sucks to see her lose to after that jaw-dropping performance against Jennifer Holliday. Holiday was angry as hell and she was baiting Jessica to go all out. Jessica I think has to develop that voice gruff and when she does, she’ll be extremely unstoppable. Sure, Jennifer Holliday won that showdown but Jessica put up one helluva fight.

Anyway, I was looking at the various online articles and it seems that the consensus vote here is that Jessica blew here chance to break the men’s winning streak. Change Nothing delighted no one in the judges’ section and even Jessica thought that the song failed to live up her capabilities. She also had the unfortunate task of beginning the program with a Whitney Houston song. While this was a solid performance, it was like picking a hot appetizer and ending it with a cold main course. Idol Chatter was right to say that she should have finished the show with a Whitney song because there is nothing (nothing… nothing) that could upstage that.

As former Idol contestant Phil Stacey explained on Idol Chatter:

"Phillip can mess up his lyrics, sing completely off-key and not even move on stage and it won't change what his fans already think of him. But if Jessica misses one note, everybody will notice."

Anyway as consolation for Jessica, finishing runner up isn’t a bad thing at all. Using my awesome basketball analyzing abilities and gearing it to something men will obviously deny checking in, I’m going to list down the 5 Best Idol Losers in history.

Game starts now.

5 - CLAY AIKEN

Season: 2

Rank: Second

Winner: Ruben Studdard

Conan O’Brien had a field day messing up these two. Ruben was casted for his body mass while Conan accidentally started the “Gay Aiken” movement. But you can’t fault success though – with his swarm of fans as proof. He has had ten studio albums and in the span of 2003 to 2005, he was winning a lot of awards. You are that successful (or notorious) if you have your own E! True Hollywood Story special. He is also a spokesperson for a lot of charities.

4 - KATHARINE MCPHEE

Season: 5

Rank: Second

Winner: Taylor Hicks

Taylor Hicks’ style might have been unique, but it seems the only way Hicks could survive success is through Las Vegas gigs where he is covering old country and blues songs. Meanwhile McPhee has that “current” look and she has successfully transitioned to the world of acting. After a guest appearance in CSI: New York and a film stint in House Bunny, McPhee is renewing McPheever as the lead of the new musical series Smash.

3 - CHRIS DAUGHTRY

Season: 5

Rank: Fourth

Winner: Taylor Hicks

Ah. Taylor Hicks is here again. The rock monster known as Daughtry ranks third in American Idol alumni record sales behind only past winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. The guy’s band Daughtry were instant success stories since their inception (their almost-band names included Steel Dragon and Rainbow Butt Monkeys). He could have been the new vocalist of Fuel but instead formed a band. If only Hicks had this kind of acclaim.

2 - ADAM LAMBERT

Season: 8

Rank: Eighth

Winner: Kris Allen

Glambert. The guy who auditioned to the tune of a Cher song ranks high in this list because frankly, he is that good. He has the showmanship of Cher and the song style of Steven Tyler, Mick Jagger, and other glam rockers of the 80’s. The openly gay Idol contestant known for his scene-stealing light and sound displays have two popular albums in the market. Plus you have to admit it but we all thought he was going to win his American Idol season.

1 - JENNIFER HUDSON

Season: 3

Rank: Seventh

Winner: Fantasia Barrino

Fantasia, Hudson, and LaToya London were dubbed as the Three Divas of the third season of American Idol. While Fantasia had some success in the singing circuit, Hudson is the only Idol to win an Oscar and a Grammy for her performance as Effie White in Dreamgirls. She’s also married to lawyer, Harvard graduate, and WWE Superstar David Otunga. And by the way, she beat Fantasia on the Dreamgirls gig.

With a cast like this, Jessica Sanchez has a great chance to blossom in her post-Idol music career. What American music lacks at the moment are power singers. Jessica is also 16 years old – and she can easily be repackaged as to what Christina Aguilera or Britney Spears were during those times.

If she can’t start her singing career in the States though… she can always plan her career in the Philippines.

But that’s kind of impossible though.

Once a Filipina is endorsed by Ellen DeGeneres, it’s impossible to fail.

Just ask Charice.

Game over.