Sixteen-year-old Jessica Sanchez certainly delivered her best Tuesday night in the first half of American Idol Season 11 finale. She did what she could with the songs given her, and she picked a song that had a spiritual and emotional connection to her.

Randy Jackson said Jessica won Round 1 of the finals night, and she tied with rival Phillip Phillips in Round 2. Come third round, luck was not on Jessica’s side as her competition wowed the judges in a whole new level.

The night was not really about luck, though. Jessica could have been given better songs. Mentor Jimmy Iovine had said a couple of times in the past that she should sing songs that match her age and young life experience. Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe had also said Jessica needs a “magic moment.” But then show creator Simon Fuller gave her nothing new.

Fuller gave Jessica a material that does not fit her age, and worse, it was not surprising at all. Jessica made the same faces and dished out the same drama because there was nothing new that she could do with the material.

If Jessica had felt how it’s like to make life-altering decisions all in the name of romantic love, then she would have done better. She would have rendered more powerful, non-generic emotions to Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing.” But she is too young to naturally act out nuances that match such a song.

Choosing “The Prayer” was a good move on Jessica’s part. It was the only material of the night that gave her a strong winning chance on the performance category. “Change Nothing,” her potential first single, did not make a good first impression on the judges. Again, it is a song that did not bring out the best in her.

Whoever will work with Jessica post-Idol should give her songs that will showcase not just her vocal power. It will take great artists to pull out more authentic feelings from this young diva. Jessica can, and should be able to wow the audience not just for reaching crazy notes, but for taking them on a journey. Otherwise, she will just sound predictable, and thus, boring.

The second half of the Idol finale happens Wednesday night. Jessica has supporters from the American, Mexican and Filipino voters living in America. With Skype and other means to vote from outside U.S., Jessica’s fans are keen on doing everything to see her win it all at the end of this season.

Watch Jessica’s performances in the following videos.

Round 1 - Simon Fuller's choice: "I Have Nothing" (Whitney Houston)

Round 2 - Jessica Sanchez' favorite performance: "The Prayer" (Celine Dion)

Round 3 - Potential first single for Jessica Sanchez: "Change Nothing"