Jessica Sanchez Performs “I Will Always Love You” & “And I Am Telling You” On ‘Today’

Becky Bain | May 31, 2012 11:39 am

American Idol Season 12 runner-up Jessica Sanchez is on a roll. After delivering a breathtaking rendition of the National Anthem earlier this week, the 16-year-old brought her powerful pipes to the Today show this morning (May 31), performing two numbers not many people can pull off: Whitney Houston‘s version of “I Will Always Love You”, and Dreamgirls tune “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”, made famous by previous Idol non-winner Jennifer Hudson, who we all know went on to win Grammys and Oscars and do a whole lot of other amazing things without the Idol crown. Keep that in mind, Jess.

Hear the teen unleash her inner diva below.

Though Jess didn’t win the competition, she thinks America made the right call by having Phillip Phillips triumph. “He really fought through the competition, not only mentally but physically, too, with his health issues,” she said during her appearance on Today, referencing Phillips’ kidney troubles. “I’m really proud of him.”

Jessica Sanchez – “I Will Always Love You” (Live On Today)

Jessica Sanchez – “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” (Live On Today)