Jessica Sanchez, the popular Fil-American musician who became runner-up in the 11th season of “American Idol,” continues on the worldwide music scene doing what she loves most, eleven years after she first gained international fame.

“American Idol,’ that’s just so crazy to me,” Sanchez, 27 years old, told ABS-CBN News. “It all occurred so quickly, and I was so young at the time.” I don’t think I could completely experience it, both mentally and emotionally.

“But I believe everything happens for a reason and at God’s timing. I am so grateful for all that I’ve experienced and all that I’ve done since ‘Idol.’ I know I still have much to learn and I’m still growing in my artistry, so I’m just excited to continue this journey.”

Not unexpectedly, Sanchez has built a fan following in the Philippines, where she is consistently well-received and adored.

Sanchez’s goals were always in music, even when she was little. “I never wanted to do anything else, and I made sure there were no distractions,” she explained.

Sanchez’s successful audition for “American Idol” was probably something she crossed off her bucket list more than a decade ago.

Apparently, there is still plenty for this resident of San Diego, California, to do.

“Tonight,” the carrier track of Sanchez’s debut album released in 2013, allowed her to record with Ne-Yo. Together, they performed the song in the 12th season of “American Idol.”

Sanchez just uploaded her latest hit, “Baddie,” which she also co-wrote with a buddy, to her burgeoning music library.

“We were really just having fun with the song and the first lyric that came to mind was ‘You got a baddie’,” she stated.

“The song is all about being confident, knowing who you are, what you want and your worth. Of course, there’s a little love dynamic going on, but it’s really about the confidence you carry.

“Anyone can be a baddie, but the main thing to being a baddie is embracing who you are, flaws and all, and walking into any situation with that confidence and sense of worth.”

Sanchez just uploaded her latest hit, “Baddie,” which she also co-wrote with a buddy, to her burgeoning music library.

“Those are older songs, but they mean a lot to me because of the recent passing of my grandmother,” Sanchez stated.

“Her favorite song was ‘Power of Love’ and just hearing ‘One Sweet Day’ makes me think of her.

“My grandmother had a huge impact on my career and my life. It’s definitely going to be different being in the Philippines without her.”

Sanchez, on the other hand, has created several songs based on personal experiences and sentiments.

“I’m so excited to share who I am through my music,” she says. “I can be kind of a quiet and awkward person, so it’s hard for me to express myself fully. Thank God, I have music to use as an outlet and way of expression.

“You guys are definitely going to see and hear a new side of me that you haven’t heard before. I hope you guys enjoy getting a little peek into my mind and life.”

Sanchez admitted that the epidemic had a significant impact on everyone, particularly performers who had not been seen onstage playing live for over two years. That was the most difficult obstacle she had faced in her career. She eventually learnt to adapt.

“It definitely was a sudden change from traveling and performing to now being at home not knowing really what to do, because music is really all that I do. But it was a blessing in disguise because it was really what I needed.

“I had to get in the studio and build my writing muscle and confidence. I honestly think that if things didn’t play out the way they did, I wouldn’t have released my own written music until much later.”

Before the epidemic, she was in Hawaii with her partner and several pals. That was her most recent destination.

“We were just on a mini vacation and then everything hit right when we got back home,” She remembered.  “We used to travel a lot more, so that’s definitely something we’re going to do when things calm down.”

Sanchez, understandably, needed to retain her image as an international entertainer.

“With regards to new listeners, I know it’s a lot different then what people know me as from ‘Idol,’ so I’m just really trying to embrace this newness and the reactions from everyone.

“I’m also trying to get out of my comfort zone with social media. I’m a bit shy, so that’s always been difficult for me, but I really do want people to get to know who Jessica really is, fully.”