杰西卡•桑切斯诠释新曲调

    Petite powerhouse Jessica Sanchez enjoyed singing ballads on last season’s “American Idol,” where she placed second.

    But the 17-year-old says ballads aren’t her only interest. Sanchez is hoping to capture a new — and younger — audience with her debut album, “Me, You & the Music,” released recently.

    The producers that worked with her on the album are Mark J. Feist, Toby Gad, Harvey Mason Jr., Ne-Yo, and Rykey. They set a tone that features ballads but will exhibit “more of an R&B/pop/urban kind of feel.”

    In an interview, the singer discussed life after “American Idol,” her debut album and landing a guest role on “Glee.”

    Q: How did you mix the sound that helped you excel on “Idol” with a more playful one on your album?

    A: I’m trying to bring the tone of my voice and trying to mix it with the genre (pop-club mix), the generation of music now.

    Q: What were your first thoughts when you were offered a role in “Glee?”

    A: Oh, I freaked out. Ryan Murphy called me in for a meeting and he asked me, “Have you ever acted before?” And I said, “No... I’m not going to lie to you, I’ve never acted.”

    I walked out and then a couple of days later I got a call from my manager and she said that “He (Murphy) wants you to be in the show,” and I’m like, “What? I’ve never acted before. That’s crazy!”

    Q: As a young person in the entertainment industry, do you worry about falling into the wrong crowd or getting involved with drugs or partying?

    A: I’ve had bad influences. I’ve had friends that backstabbed me. I’ve had no friends at all at certain times. I’ve been offered drugs and I just told myself it’s not worth it because I have so many bright things ahead of me. I’ve always said “no,” and I’ve always stuck my mind to family, school, music and just what I love and what’s positive.(SD-Agencies)