In a shocking turn of events on Thursday nights’ American Idol results show, teenage power house and thought-to-be leader of the pack, Jessica Sanchez received the least votes and was singing her final song on the AI stage, when judge Jennifer Lopez and her fellow judges rushed on stage.

“Give me that mic! This is crazy!” Lopez protested. “Yes, we’re using the save! You’re not going home,” she told the 17-year-old. “Go sit down!”

As an addition to the recent seasons of American Idol, the judges were given the power to “save” one singing from elimination a season. After being shocked at the seeing Sanchez in the bottom three, judge Randy Jackson called it “ridiculous.” So it was almost no surprise when the judges used this season’s save on the little lady with the big voice.

“Let me just say this, from myself, Steven and Jennifer,” Jackson said. “This girl is one of the best singers in America, ever. Are you kidding me? Please, everybody, please vote for the best,” he added. “It’s about finding the best.”

When the half-Mexican, half-Filipino was asked by host Ryan Seacrest if she was surprised to have recieved the lowest number of votes, the humble, yet confident singer said, “I don’t expect anything. I just want people to know that I’ve been working hard my whole life.”

Though many would hands-down pick Sanchez as one of the top contestants (if not the top contestant) this season, it appears anything is possible. And with this season’s judges’ save now in play, more surprises and upsets could be on the horizon.

What do you think? Did the judges make a good decision in using their save on Jessica Sanchez? Or should they have sent her packing and saved it for someone else?