full size Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez Vie for the American Idol Crown
Credit: Michael Becker/FOX ©2012 Fox Broadcasting Co.

In less than one week's time America will crown its new Idol. Will it be Jessica Sanchez or Phillip Phillips? At this point in time, it's anyone's game. At the launch of Kohl's American Idol "Authentic Icon" collection launch on May 16, Wetpaint Entertainment had the opportunity to speak to this year's eliminated contestants and find out who they think should take home the title.
 
Elise Testone tells us that the high schools she visited after getting booted off have their hearts set on Phillip Phillips. “I had some students that I wanted to see, so I went to the high schools and they all want him to win,” she told us. “A lot of people do.”
 
But Heejun Han, who admitted to missing the “free stage, free hotel, free food — everything that has to do with free” wasn’t taking sides. “Phillip is my best friend, Jessica is like my baby...” he told us. “It's not really about who is winning though, it's really about how far they made it and I'm really happy for everyone that is left.”

His advice to the finalists? “Eat a lot of food and try to enjoy the moment because this moment will never come in your life again.”

Shannon Magrane, the other underaged performer in the competition, hopes Jessica won’t have been hindered by the fact that she also has to attend school on a daily basis while the boys are free to rehearse. “Jessica and I, we are doing school and trying to manage our singing stuff,” she revealed. “I think it's extra hard for both of us with all of that stuff going on.”

The other challenge: Figuring out if America is ready for a girl to finally win again. “This year is a tough year because they are all so different and we don't know what America wants,” says Shannon. "They are all so good!”

But while almost every Idol castoff took the stance of Switzerland, Jeremy Rosado tells us, he’s leaning in a specific direction — he’s just not going to say which.

“I can't tell you who I'm going to vote more for or if I'm going to vote more for someone,” he demurs. “Jessica is probably the best female vocalist who has ever been on the show... and you've got Phillip who is probably the most artistic vocalist ever. He's everything that you could need to be an artist. It's all up to America now!”



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