Tag Archives: Proud Mary

Garcia Takes On Tina Turner on Fox’s “The X Factor”

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Following her impressive performance on The X Factor, Jennel Garcia shouldn’t lose one minute of sleep…

During Wednesday night’s episode of Fox’s reality singing competition, which saw the Top 12 sing songs by the divas like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston,  the 18-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer kicked off the show with a rousing rendition of Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.”

Jennel Garcia

In her mentoring session, Garcia’s mentor, Demi Lovato, encouraged the “rock star next door” to perform “for the audience,” saying she wanted America to see Garcia could be one of the divas in the future.

“[You] started this thing out with a bang,” proclaimed judge L.A. Reid. “You just returned to the competition; that smoked!”

Britney Spears agreed.

“Tina would be proud,” declared Britney Spears after the show-stopping performance that saw Garcia, dressed in a white fringed top and leggings, working the entire stage. “You nailed it!”

Even Simon Cowell, who had been critical of Lovato’s mentoring of Garcia last week, acknowledged the singer’s return to form.

“You are back in the game; that’s what we wanted,” said Cowell. “You look better, you sound better, you were having more fun. Like a different person. I’m glad you listened to me.”

And Lovato beamed with pride at her protégé’s job well-done.

“I’m so unbelievely proud of you,” said Lovato. “What a way to kick off the night. You do look amazing and I think together we really nailed it.”

The other Latinas in the competition, Ally Brooke (Hernandez) and Camila Cabello – members of FifthHarmony, received rave review as well.

Dressed in all-angelic-white, the all-girl group performed a beautiful rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Hero,” one that had Cowell, their mentor and group-maker, grinning throughout the performance.

“There’s something really lovable about all of you,” said Reid. “You picked a really tough song, and I think you struggled in the beginning honestly. But somewhere in there it turned into a really great performance.”

Lovato agreed.

“I was really worried that I was going to be bored, but you guys, your voices just killed it,” raved Lovato.

Cowell, who created the group from singers who hadn’t advanced as soloists after the show’s audition period, urged people to cast their votes.

“Maybe this isn’t a one horse race. Maybe there’s a chance that five girls with brilliant voices could actually win this show,” said Cowell. “And I want America to pick up the phone to vote for you!”

Sanchez’s Latest “Beautiful” Night on “American Idol”

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Talk about a proud moment for American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez…

During last night’s two-hour episode, the 16-year-old half-Mexican singer delivered two knockout performances and shined bright during her “girl power” trio with fellow female finalists Hollie Cavanagh and Skylar Laine.

Jessica Sanchez

During the first hour, which was dedicated to songs of the ‘60s, Sanchez tackled living legend Tina Turner’s trademark rendition of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary.”

Guest mentor Steve Van Zandt—the guitarist for Bruce Springsteen‘s E Street Band and ex-Sopranos actor—initially tried to dissuade Sanchez from performing the song, but she ultimately won him over.

Dressed to the nines in a heavily chained body-hugging white dress and a pair of sky-high heels, the petite San Diego native delivered a spot-on vocal performance, complete with growls and a massive high note at the end. Sanchez even channeled some of Turner’s on-stage effervescence by shimmying and shaking across the stage.

“You’re so grown up there; it’s crazy! I always forget you’re 16 years old,” said Idol judge Jennifer Lopez. “You brought it out there. You were a little bit of Tina, a little bit of Beyonce, a little bit of I don’t know what up there!”

Sanchez later took the stage with Cavanagh and Laine to perform a lively rendition of Jackie Wilson‘s “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher,” which proved to be a much better performance than Phillip Phillips and Joshua Ledet’s take on the Righteous Brothers‘ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.”

But it was Sanchez’s final performance, as part of the show’s British pop theme, which seriously set her apart from the competition. It was her latest American Idol “moment,” following her previous performances of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and Beyonce’s “Sweet Dreams.”

Dressed in an intricate black and white dress and sprawled on the stage next to several LED candles, Sanchez delivered an earnest and emotional rendition of Joe Cocker‘s “You Are So Beautiful,” which she later admitted was sung with her mother in mind.

“You once again showed America just how beautiful your voice is… and what a great singer you are,” declared Idol judge Steven Tyler. “You’re gonna be No. 1 girl.”