Jessica Sanchez sings the National Anthem prior to Game 1 of the NBA basketball finals between the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City (Photo : Reuters)

American Idol 2012 national concert tour starts today (July 6) at Detroit, MI. The 2012 winner Phillip Phillips and his fellow top 10 contestants will go around the country performing in front of thousands of people.

Jessica Sanchez, season 11 runner-up has recently signed with Interscope Record and has already started working on her debut album. She talked a little bit about her upcoming album, which is expected to release October this year before joining the national tour.

"What I did on the show was more competition mode. It was to show my vocals - 'let's sing some Celine Dion and Mariah Carey.' Now it's like, 'I'm Jessica Sanchez and I have to do me.' It's more of the urban, Rihanna kind of feel and the R&B kind of stuff. A little bit of pop. It's just a big mixture of stuff, so it's exciting," she said.

The 16-year-old singer is assigned to sing the National Anthem before the World Welterweight Boxing Championship, June 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Her recent performance includes the opening performance at the NBA finals.

Join Our Conversation