American Idol Jessica Sanchez: Phillip Phillips Deserved to Win

By BREATHEcast.com, Thursday, May 24, 2012

After Phillip Phillips was crowned American Idol winner of Season 11, Jessica Sanchez, who stood in second place, had nothing but good things to say about Phillips.

This season saw the highest number of votes tallied at 123 million - that's more votes than the presidential election in 2008!

No one can deny that both Sanchez and Phillips have given their best in the past 5 months, delivering week after week their hearts in their music. They both received the announcement with grace and humility.

Jessica Sanchez said to MTV backstage, "I'm kind of relieved that this whole thing is over, but I am also going to miss everybody here. But, I'm gonna see my "Idol" family on tour, so I'm thankful for that. And I really think that Phillip really deserved to win, and I'm so happy for him."

"When they announced that it was Phillip, I was so happy, and I knew it already. So, that's why I gave him a big hug. I was smiling the whole time. I was like, "This fool is gonna win, and I love him so much!" He deserved it. Literally, he has worked harder than all of us. We've all been working hard, but he's been having to keep up with his health issues with his kidneys, and I think he's been through it a lot more than us mentally and physically," she continued.

Although the "Idol" season is finished, it is not quite over yet. The American Idol Live! Tour 2012 will reunite all the top finalists together as they sing across the nation. The first stop will be at Detroit, MI on July 6, and might be heading your way. View tour dates and locations here to see if they are stopping by your city.