Via www.reuters.com

Jessica Sanchez 

By Jill Serjeant

(Reuters) - Jessica Sanchez, the teen with the big voice, chose power ballads while Phillip Phillips went with an indie vibe as the two diverse "American Idol" finalists sang on Tuesday for the hearts and votes of America.

Sanchez, 16, bidding to become the youngest ever winner of America's most-watched TV show, was deemed ahead after performing songs made famous by Whitney Houston and Celine Dion.

But it was acoustic guitar-playing Phillips who brought all three judges to their feet at the end of the performance finale.