After four months and a record-setting 132 million votes, it’s official: Phillip Phillips is the 11th American Idol. It’s hardly the most surprising finale result in “Idol” history — since many pundits had him pegged as the winner the moment he entered the audition room — but it’s not one without controversy.
Millions of Filipinos watched Jessica Sanchez, 16, compete against eventual winner Phillip Phillips in the live broadcast on cable television, virtually bringing the karaoke-crazy country to a stand-still.
Filipinos at home and in the United States have closely followed the Californian’s path to the finals of the top-rated show, with hundreds of fan pages on Facebook devoted to her.
But the finale ended with guitar-strumming Phillip Phillips beating Sanchez Wednesday after viewers cast a record 132 million votes.
Upset Filipinos vented their anger on Twitter and Facebook, with many saying the loss did not reflect ethnic diversity in the United States.
Phillip Phillips may have won “American Idol” over Jessica Sanchez, but the Mexican/Filipino singer is already in talks to work on her new album with Tommy Mottola.
The former Sony Music Entertainment executive, who now co-owns Casablanca Records in a joint venture with the Universal Music Group, is ready to launch Jessica’s music career.