"I think she's overqualified, I really do," he went on gushing. "And she's only 16. Like, I've been around a lot of superstars. I haven't seen anyone at that age sing like that." Declaring Jessica as his favorite on "Idol" season 11 by far, the "Right Now (Na Na Na)" hitmaker said, "I know I shouldn't be saying this, but I kind of want her to get voted off so I can sign her."
Akon's wish almost came true when Jessica got the lowest vote two weeks ago, but the judges saved her. Sharing his thought on why such talented contestant could land on the bottom place, he said, "[People] naturally assume that she's been voted for because she's so good. So they chose to vote for someone else to kind of even the balance and she's not getting the votes."
39-year-old Akon had previously expressed his confidence on Jessica's bright future in music industry. "I knew from Day One, I said she's going to be a legend one day. I believe it, I really do," he said after guest mentoring the "Idol" Top 7 finalists.
