Three rounds made up the finale of American Idol Season 11. Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips were welcomed by extra loud cheers and applause from the live audience. They seemed ready for their final moments as contestants on the Idol stage.

First round featured Simon Fuller's choice. Then for the second round, contestants picked their favorite of the season. In the third round, fans heard the contestants' potential winning song.

Jessica kicked off the competition with Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing." The judges and audience were impressed with her reaching for notes perched in heaven. (But the song choice was quite disappointing, Mr. Fuller. She has done Houston!)

Phillip took on Ben King's "Stand by Me," and he looked like he was absolutely having fun. Judge Jennifer Lopez calls him the modern day crooner, and noted the finale was a "battle of the opposites."

Randy Jackson said Jessica won Round 1.

Jessica went to as far back as the Sing for Your Life round in Las Vegas, before she got in Top 24. She chose not to take on any diva, and "prayed" instead. This was a smart move, since Fuller already gave her a strong female ballad. Instead of singing melodramas she is not able to understand due to lack of life experience, Jessica went for the song that moved her, personally. (Watch Jessica's first performance of "The Prayer" on Idol here.)

Phillip chose his Top 10 performance song, "Movin' Out" by Bill Joel. This was also a smart choice. It was during the Top 10 performance night when Phillip first really came out to show that he was not going to be a two-time hit with "Superstitition" and "Thriller" (songs he delivered in his Hollywood audition). Anyone who listened very closely to the lyrics of this song could tell this is Phillip's stay-grounded song. This song spoke to him as much as "The Prayer" spoke to Jessica. (Watch Phillip's first performance of "Movin' Out" on Idol here.)

Jackson declared a tie in Round 2, Steven Tyler gave it to Jessica, and JLo said it was Phillip's round.

Jessica's third song is "Change Nothing," a light piano ballad about love and lack of trust. If this would be Jessica's first single, a lot of fans would be disappointed. JLo also noted the young singer has more soul than what "Change Nothing" requires.

Phillip's potential first single is called, "Home." This time, the song matched the artist. He got a standing ovation from the audience and the judges. Jackson loved everything about Phillip's performance, down from stage production to the band to his moving vocals.

To sum up, Phillip Phillips won at least two of the three rounds on Tuesday night's finale. His artistry shone through his performances. He was compelling and delightful to watch in each of the rounds. He kept his fans and maybe gained a few more.

Jessica Sanchez could have done better, but she was given two quite disappointing materials: another Whitney Houston song and a potential first singer that did not bring out the best in her. If Jessica could emerge as the Season 11 'Idol' winner after this performance night, then it's all thanks to her very strong and culturally diverse fan base. Assuming the finalists have equal support going on, Phillip Phillips would be the next American Idol.