Jessica Sanchez has been crowned America’s Got Talent Season 20 champion, marking a triumphant redemption 13 years after finishing as runner-up on the eleventh season of American Idol in 2012.
The 30-year-old Filipino-American singer-songwriter auditioned this season in July and performed “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone. She earned the coveted golden buzzer from judge Sofía Vergara, which sent her straight to the live shows. She then advanced all the way to the finale, ultimately defeating freestyle rapper Chris Turner and R&B/soul artist Jourdan Blue.
Despite being nine months pregnant, Sanchez still slayed the stage like she meant it. For the AGT finals, she performed Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile.”
“I mean, what can I say? It’s perfection. You look like a little pregnant angel. You look beautiful. Your voice — I’ve never heard anything like that. Bravo, Jessica,” said an ecstatic Vergara after her performance.
Sanchez also delivered a stunning rendition of JVKE’s “Golden Hour,” accompanied by Chilean aerial duo Sirca Marea. Along with the title, she walked away with the USD 1 million grand prize.
Sanchez also appeared on the very first season of AGT, which makes it a full-circle moment for her as the show celebrates 20 years. She is also the first former contestant in the talent show competition’s history to return and capture the crown.
Meanwhile, the star-studded finale also featured special appearances by the show’s alumni and guest performers, including Leona Lewis, Ciara, and The Script frontman Danny O’Donoghue.
She released her most recent single, “Two Lines,” on September 16. Listen to the track below: