Jessica Sanchez singing Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness" on "American Idol." As always, her vocal quality is top-notch, and she's totally in control of the song, doing tricky things with it. 
 Just not sure this is going to appeal to the masses; not a popular crowd-pleaser, not making me feel anything except admiration for her voice. Judges are beaming though, they appreciate it. 
 "Good God almighty, bless my soul, you've done it again!" says Steven Tyler. 
 Jennifer Lopez wants her to start pushing, going beyond the vocal ability and connecting with the audience more; "just the voice is not going to do it." 
 Randy Jackson agrees, tells her to focus on connecting with the emotion, the lyrics. 
 Agree? Disagree? Tell us in the comments below, or on Twitter using #ndidol.

Jessica Sanchez singing Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness" on "American Idol." As always, her vocal quality is top-notch, and she's totally in control of the song, doing tricky things with it. Just not sure this is going to appeal to the masses; not a popular crowd-pleaser, not making me feel anything except admiration for her voice. Judges are beaming though, they appreciate it. "Good God almighty, bless my soul, you've done it again!" says Steven Tyler. Jennifer Lopez wants her to start pushing, going beyond the vocal ability and connecting with the audience more; "just the voice is not going to do it." Randy Jackson agrees, tells her to focus on connecting with the emotion, the lyrics. Agree? Disagree? Tell us in the comments below, or on Twitter using #ndidol.

Entertainment

Jessica Sanchez told 'just the voice is not going to do it' on 'American Idol'

Newsday

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

34 must-see fall concerts

Fall theater preview

Too much 'Jeopardy'?

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

From NBC News to MS NOW, there was more content than ever from the networks and cable.

4 takeaways: What was special about Election Day coverage?

From cast members to cliffhangers, TV's two great political dramas are more alike than you think.

'The West Wing' and 'The Diplomat' have much in common

The actor shared stories of his famous friends at the Hamptons film festival.

Remembering the time Patrick Stewart came to Long Island

The Netfix political drama starring Keri Russell will be back after a cliffhanger Season 4 ending.

'The Diplomat' renewed for Season 5

The '70s pop star is coming to LIU Post's Tilles Center on July 29.

Donny Osmond to perform on LI for 1st time in over 10 years

From "Plan 9" for Halloween to "The Grinch" for Christmas, Long Island theaters are in a festive mood.

'Boo!' and 'Ho, ho, ho!': Fall holiday shows for all occasions

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

The weather and traffic channel will go off the air Dec. 27. Optimum faces more than $26 billion in debt.

News 12+ to shut down amid Optimum's financial troubles

The tour featuring stars from the TV show comes to Elmont on Feb. 16.

'Dancing With the Stars' headed to UBS Arena

Now on the show's 50th anniversary comes "SCTV: The Greatest Show You've Never Heard Of," a new documentary about the history of the program.

Remembering top 'SCTV' moments with show's biggest stars

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

The show must go on! NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa heads to Costume America in Farmingdale where they have made more than 50,000 costumes.

LI Works: There's no business like the costume business

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits a family owned farm in Southold which specializes in pasture raised pigs, chickens, and eggs alongside fruits and vegetables.

Out East: Lettuce visit Deep Roots Farm in Southold

The Jennifer Schaefer Child Support Room was unveiled at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center in Lake Success. It's a dedicated space named for Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer's mother, who died in February 2024 following a two-year fight with breast cancer.

Child support room named for mom of Isles' Schaefer opens

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland takes a look back at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center.

Picture This: When Kings Park had a psychiatric hospital

The cost of living on Long Island is causing some Gen Zers to live at home with their parents. Newsday real estate reporter Rachel Weiss was more.

Cost of living keeps Gen Z at home with parents

Newsday high school sports reporter Jared Valluzzi looks at Week 8's football plays of the week, plus boys and girls soccer highlights.

Week 8 football plays of the week

Laura Otton, perinatal mental health therapist and owner of Therapy for Motherhood, talks to NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland about the logistics of returning to work after having a baby.

Working Moms: Negotiating a return to work

Rori Zura was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at the age of 33. Today, she helps others as a cancer exercise specialist. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Breast cancer survivor helps others take charge of their recovery

The report identified over half a million hateful posts on X between January 2025 and June 2026, with monthly growth of 75%. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Anti-South Asian rhetoric surging on some social media platforms, report says

Liberty Water has applied to raise rates in three of the areas it serves on Long Island. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Liberty seeks water rate hikes of $21-$28 a month for some Nassau customers

Sitewide Video Playlist

Authorities across Long Island have cracked down on the booming illegal sex trade at foot spas, Islip Town officials have raided only three foot spas – two of them shortly after reporters began asking questions. Newsday investigative reporter Sandra Peddie and NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn have more.

Islip Town Supervisor takes little action on spas after allegations of illicit sex

Nassau and Suffolk counties have implemented a combined $57 million in technology upgrades to streamline the voting process.

'It has really great features'

A college's sticker price doesn't tell the full story of what the average student pays after financial aid and scholarships. See how more than 150 NY colleges compare. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'Tuition is a lot'

The Town of Oyster Bay and Northrop Grumman are locked in a dispute over the extent of the plan to clean up Bethpage Community Park. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'No reason for us to believe any area is safe unless tested'

A tipster says he told the state about buried drums at Bethpage Community Park nearly a decade ago. Newsday's Ken Buffa reports.

Uncovering the truth about the chemical drums

The attorney general's investigation affirms the stories told by multiple women during an emotional, hourslong school board meeting in November 2021 — a turning point that sparked a public reckoning and spawned the state probe. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'At times I felt like I had my hopes up and nothing would come of it'

Michelle Chronick Tyson, 59, has been charged with murder in the killing of a newborn, whose body was found in a movie theater toilet in 1996. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'We look forward to litigating this case'

Across the Island, authorities raided more than 250 illicit spas in the past five years. Only three of them have been in the Town of Islip. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn and the Newsday investigative team report.

'I'm very shocked this is going on'

A car sliced through the hedges and fence of a Huntington Station adult assisted living facility Sunday night, displacing 27 residents, police said. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has more.

'It was loud'

The new owners of the iconic property "love the castle," according to their attorney. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'Very, very nice people'

The lawsuit contains new public allegations of abuse of Jor'Dynn Duncan and another child, as well as more details on previously reported abuse allegations. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'I don't have my daughter anymore'

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

Jessica Sanchez told 'just the voice is not going to do it' on 'American Idol'

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.