The 16-year-old, who was Digital Spy readers' favourite in exit polls every week for the duration of the live shows, lost out to Phillip Phillips in Wednesday evening's final (May 23).
© Fox / Michael Becker
Sanchez told reporters at a post-show press conference that she felt "kind of relieved that this whole thing is over", but added that she intends to go into her future career with a clear outlook.
"Now that I have time to put myself into my music, it's going to be all me - 100% me," she explained.
© Fox / Michael Becker
Sanchez also offered her congratulations to Phillips, saying that she was confident he would win the competition as early as last week's semi-final stage.
"I told him he was gonna win during the Top 3 results show... he has worked harder than all of us. He's been having to keep up with his health issues with his kidneys," she said.
"He's been through it all a lot more than us mentally and physically... I made [the] Top 2 and it's such a big accomplishment."
American Idol will return in 2013 on Fox.
