Jessica Sanchez received the highest praise from American Idol mentor and Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine, who some people perceived as the new Simon Cowell.

During the Top 13 reveal of American Idol last Friday, Iovine shared his thoughts and assessed each of the Top 24, as they learned their fate.

He was mean to most of them except for the 16-year-old Fil-Am-Mexican contestant Jessica Sanchez.

After the video review of Jessica’s performance of Jennifer Hudson‘s “I Do,” Jimmy Iovine said:

“Now she has talent from A to Z. I’d sign her on the spot tonight. If anyone has the pole position in this race, it’s Jessica. She’s the one to beat.”

People may dislike Iovine for his Cowell-ish comments but avid followers of the show believe American Idol needs a “truth-teller” because the three judges–Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler–are all afraid to offend.

Who knows maybe the producers of the show may add Iovine as the fourth member of the judging panel in the coming episodes?

What do you think?

Watch the video here: