Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips are in a dead heat after their final competition Tuesday night.

Each gave it all in tonight's performance show and sang three songs to try to win the largest amount of votes to be crowned the next American Idol.

Sanchez opened the show with Whitney Houston's "I have nothing," earning great praises from the judges.

Phillips sang "Stand by Me," with a soft rock version of his own.

Judge Randy Jackson said round one probably went to Sanchez. Jennifer Lopez said it was tough to say who got it best.

"Is a tough one because its like the battle of the opposites. How do you compare with Jessica, this amazing vocal power and then we have this modern day crooner, he has originality, artistry," Lopez said.

For the second round Sanchez wore a white gown to perform "The Prayer."

Phillips sang "Moving Out" with his guitar earning a standing ovation from the audience.

The judges declared it a tie.

The third round was for Phillips who earned a standing ovation from the judges and the audience. The singers had to sing a track they would release if they win.

Sanchez performed a song called "Change Nothing" but failed to impress the judges.

"I know how good you can sing and so can millions of people in America. But this wasn't your song," judge Steven Tyler told Sanchez.

" I thought you sang the song really well. If I was thinking about what your single was going to be ... you have so much soul in your voice. That's what's surprising about this song. We missed that in that song. You tried to bring that to it," Lopez said.

"I did not love the song but what I did love is you made something more out of that song. You have that Beyonce kind of swag. You brought the song to life but I thought the song was just OK," Jackson said.

Phillips sang "Home - Here is the prize" with his guitar blowing the judges away.

"With your vulnerability and style. I heard a little Paul Simon in there. I think you are the man," Tyler commented.

"I couldn't think of any other singer or band that sounded like that. its just Phillips. Its just a Phillip Phillips' song and there's nothing on the radio that sounds like that. Congratulations," Lopez raved.

"I love the song I loved you, I love the percussion. everything about that was perfect i loved it that's your best performance of the night - that was amazing. true artist performance. brilliant. Genius," Jackson said.

The show tonight featured performances by Scotty McCreery and Jason Derula.

Voters will have the final word. The result show airs tomorrow.

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American Idol