Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips will battle it out tonight for the title of "American Idol," and though they've made it to the end of the FOX reality show, both burgeoning artists were rejected by yet another reality series - "America's Got Talent."
"That experience really helped me because, you know, the rejection," Jessica told AccessHollywood.com's Laura Saltman backstage at "American Idol" in Los Angeles on Tuesday, of her experience on "AGT" when she was just 11 years of age. "It prepared me for the rejection and just the whole experience with the lights and the cameras and everything.
PLAY IT NOW: Phillip Phillips & Jessica Sanchez Battle For Title On American Idol Finale Night
"So, it was actually good," she added. "But 'American Idol' is so much different and I love the people here. It's amazing."
Philip Phillips also auditioned for "AGT," but unlike Jessica, didn't make it to the stage to perform for the NBC hit's judges.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: American Idol Season 11 Final 2: Phillip Phillips & Jessica Sanchez
"I got rejected too," he told Laura. "I made it to the producers and uh, they didn't call."
Watch Jessica and Philip battle for the title on "American Idol" - tonight at 8/7c on FOX.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: American Idol Season 11: The Final 3
Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.