Jessica Sanchez spent her Labor Day weekend giving back, as the American Idol alum participated in the MDA Show of Strength Telethon Sunday night.
The 18-year old Interscope Recording artist was joined by Chris Mann of The Voice in a duet of Bill Wither’s classic inspirational song “Lean on Me." The performance was augmented by the appearance of families affected by Muscular Dystrophy and a children's choir.
Sanchez was introduced by Ryan Seacrest as “an American Idol finalist who has since found stardom on Glee.”
The Chula Vista, Calif., native, who released her debut CD Me, You and The Music earlier this spring, is set to grace the pages of London-based magazine Fault for a feature in its September issue. She also leant her pipes to Disney’s “Find Your Voice,” contest, a Little Mermaid-based online singing competition for kids to earn a shot at a "VIP experience" that includes a studio recording session with Disney's A&R director and $1000 cash.
Sanchez sang a rendition of the song, “Part of Your World,” for the contest, sharing the clip on her Twitter page and encouraging children to “show the world who you are through song.”
Mann is signed to Universal Republic Records, and is currently featured in The Voice coach Christina Aguilera’s new video, “Let There Be Love,” alongside Nicole Richie.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association's telethon aired for two hours on Sunday on ABC television stations nationwide. At press time, donations totaled $55 million, according to mda.org. Telethon donations will be accepted through midnight on Labor Day, when MDA will announce the final total.
Highlights of the 48th annual telethon included the Backstreet Boys opening the show with a dual performance of their newest single "In A World Like This" and their classic hit "I Want It That Way."
The two-hour show included an appearance by 2013 MTV Video Music Awards "Artist to Watch" recipient Austin Mahone with his single "What About Love"; platinum-selling country star Darius Rucker belting out his summer anthem "Radio" from his new album True Believers; Glee actor/singer Matthew Morrison crooning "On the Street Where You Live"; and award-winning country music artists Lee Ann Womack and Luke Bryan delivering solid performances of "I Hope You Dance" and "Country Man," respectively.
Enrique Iglesias, Paula Abdul, hip-hop dance crew Jabbawockeez, Kenny Loggins with the Blue Sky Riders, American blues rock band Vintage Trouble, ABC's Dr. Richard Besser, Brady Bunch mom Florence Henderson, Emmy award-winning journalist Jann Carl, Olympic gold medal gymnasts Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner, and No Doubt drummer Adrian Young and his son, Mason, rounded out the guest appearances.
The show also saluted its own history airing clips from past broadcasts Viewers were invited to visit mda.org to vote for their own favorite "Memorable Moments" from telethons past, including several featuring longtime telethon host Jerry Lewis.
Watch Sanchez and Mann, introduced by Seacrest, below:
Twitter: @Idol_Worship, @MicheleAmabile
