Entertainer Quickie: Donald Driver Dancing with the Stars winner & Jessica Sanchez in ‘American Idol’ finale

Dancing with the Stars crowns newest champion

Donald Driver was known for his talent on the football field before the season started, but now that the curtain has fallen on the 14th season of Dancing with the Stars he has proven that he has the dance moves to take home the trophy.  Athletes have fared very well on the show in the past and Driver was no exception.

As a part of what has been considered the most competitive season of DWTS  the 2011 Super Bowl champ used his experience as a professional athlete to boost himself above the competition.  According to judge Len Goodman said, “We’ve had some great footballers on the show, but you [Driver] are the best.”  This high praise came hand in hand with a perfect score of thirty after Driver performed a freestyle routine with his professional partner Peta Murgatroyd.

In a field that had many standout performers it may have been the creativity and risk of that final freestyle that helped him take home the victory.  Driver’s eight year old son, Christian, was in the audience when he was announce the champion of Dancing With the Stars.  Christian told People magazine, “We were just jumping up and down, the same thing that happened in the Super Bowl. He went in there and he practiced for 10 weeks, and he went through a lot of stuff. He didn’t get that much sleep, and he had to get up early in the morning and rehearse every single day. So he really deserved it.”

Jessica Sanchez makes San Diego proud

Another popular competition show is coming to a close with American Idol announcing its 11th winner this week.  The field has boiled down to singers Phillip Phillips, 21, and Chula Vista local Jessica Sanchez, 16.

Each performer gave their all for their three final songs.  Phillip’s selection included “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King, “Movin’ Out” by Billy Joel, and “Home.”  Jessica belted out her songs “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston, “The Prayer” by Celine Dion, and “Change Nothing.”  During the night Jennifer Lopez pointed out that the two singers are so different that at this point it is likely to come down to the tastes of the voting audience members.  The night hit a variety of notes.  The finale had songs that were pop, blues, and some were down-right hauntingly beautiful.  All in all the general consensus is leaning towards Phillips being the next idol.  He clearly has a more distinguished style and identity as an artist with his soft rock vibe.

The young beauty from Chula Vista shouldn’t be counted out though.  She has an incredible talent and despite a stumble with the song “Change Nothing,” Sanchez still had an incredible night showing off her vocal range.  Even if she doesn’t take home the title of the American Idol she has made her hometown very proud and will try to make her mark on the music industry with her first record.  Lopez gave her some valuable advice on this important next step when she told Sanchez that on that album “everything has to be you, Jessica.”

The final result show will be jam packed with stars and performances from the final two contestants as well as other competitors from the season.  It will air tonight at 8:00PM on FOX.