The two-night finale took place on 23/9 and 24/9 (California time) at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California. Sanchez beat 9 other finalists to win the title. On stage, she cried when host Terry Crews announced the results. According to People, the contestant's journey with America's Got Talent (AGT) has been memorable, as she first competed on AGT at the age of 10.
In the final round, Sanchez showcased her powerful vocals with Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga's hit song "Die With A Smile". The performance earned praise from the judges: producer Simon Cowell, comedian Howie Mandel, actress Sofia Vergara, and singer Mel B.
Sofia Vergara, the first to comment, said she had never heard a voice like Sanchez's. Mel B added that with each appearance, Sanchez conveyed more emotion and passion. "No matter what song you sing, your voice is always perfect and every note is accurate," Mel B said.
Howie Mandel agreed with the other judges, calling it the best performance of the finale. Simon Cowell thought Sanchez had improved by more than 10% since her previous performance, calling it her best yet. Cowell also noted the significance of Sanchez's return to AGT coinciding with the show's 20th anniversary.
"The important thing is you showed everyone that even if you didn't win the first time, you still believed in yourself," Cowell added.
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Jessica Sanchez in America's Got Talent season one in 2006. Photo: Instagram/AGT |
Her finale performance has attracted over 1 million views on YouTube. In the comments section, many expressed their amazement at Sanchez maintaining her vocal strength despite being nine months pregnant. Some viewers noted that many expectant mothers experience shortness of breath in the final weeks of pregnancy and would struggle to maintain the same energy.
One commenter wrote, "Jessica Sanchez didn't just perform, she made history by being nine months pregnant and delivering such a powerful and graceful performance. This is not just talent, but love and dedication. She deserves to win."
Born in 1995 in California, Sanchez is a Filipino-American singer and actress. She gained recognition as the runner-up on the 11th season of American Idol in 2012. In 2013, she released her debut album, "Me, You & the Music," which debuted at number 26 on the Billboard 200. That same year, she made her acting debut in the musical television series Glee. She also performed at Miss Universe Philippines in 2023.
In recent years, she has had fewer projects. In a recent interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, she admitted to feeling lost in her career when she was younger, falling out of love with music due to the industry's demands on women. In 2021, she married lighting technician and show producer Rickie Gallardo.
America's Got Talent, which debuted in 2006, is a talent show broadcast on NBC. This year's season, hosted by Terry Crews, premiered on 27/5. Last year's winner was sanitation worker Richard Goodall, recognized for his singing talent.
This year's runner-up was rapper Chris Turner, who showcased freestyle rapping skills based on prompts from the judges. Singer Jourdan Blue finished in third place. The Leo High School Choir and light show group LightWire secured the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
Phuong Thao (according to People, NBC)
