Chula Vista’s “American Idol” Jessica Sanchez is aiming for the heart with her new song showing support for the Asian community. Releasing the song and music video for “Us” on May 7 on all streaming platforms, Jessica has pulled in some star supporters including Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban, Ne-yo, Patrick Starrr, Lane V, Back Eyed Peas’ Apl de.Ap to come together against racism.
Sanchez said as she has worked on her music, she has really noticed the many incidents showing up in her Instagram scroll of people of Asian descent being bullied, beaten, and discriminated because of their race.
“I thought it was important for me to be able to use my voice and my platform to create something that offers support in a way that I can. Like creating music,” she said.
Bringing her idea to her producer (who thought it was an awesome idea), the two began writing and Jessica said it has taken off from there.
“We started reaching out to different influencers with platforms to see if they were willing to support the Asian community as well in spreading awareness of what is happening right now. We have some great people coming onboard, so I am super excited about it,” she said.
Jessica said, “Us” is call for unity in showing support for communities and races that are oppressed, discriminated against, or treated badly. She said the video will show clips of influencers showing their support and are currently working on the final touches of the video.
“But the guests appearing in the video are part of the message,” she said. “I want the video to make a clear message on what the song is about, bringing everyone together and showing their support for the Asian community.”
Jessica said this is a time for reflection and that the pandemic is very much part of that. She said the pandemic brought everything to a halt and as a musician it completely altered her life, and career.
“Before the pandemic I was traveling a lot, performing, networking, meeting all these people. Just doing what I do, sing and perform,” she said. “Out of this pandemic, it has helped me reflect and learn a lot more about myself. When life is moving so fast, I feel like you forget to deal with some things. For me, I just had to stop and deal with some of my things personally to get where I am now as an artist. To be confident and overcome. I feel the pandemic helped me in that way.
“When there is nothing else to do you are faced with what you must do that is right in front of you that you have ignored from traveling,” she continued. “I am really happy to see that things are beginning to open up again, little by little, and things are slowly coming back to normal.”
Starting July 1, Jessica will be starring in a feature film, filmed in Los Angeles and the Philippines. The film is about a Filipina nurse in a COVID-19 pandemic, that struggles with anxiety and decides to sing to patients to help them heal through their wounds. The film is written and directed by Chris Soriano.
“Us” will be released on May 7 on all streaming platforms.
