Not long after “America’s Got Talent” host Terry Crews read her name aloud and declared her the winner of the show’s 20th season, after the confetti fell all around her as she began to cry, Jessica Sanchez hopped on a live video to thank her fans and process this big moment.
Sanchez is nine months pregnant. Although it was late Wednesday evening, after she’d already taken part in the “AGT” two-hour season finale and done a series of interviews, the adrenaline of it all was keeping her going.
On a live Instagram video, Sanchez repeatedly expressed disbelief in being named the Season 20 winner.
“I can’t believe what just happened,” she said at the start of the video. “This is crazy.
“I did not think tonight was going to go the way it did because I shared the stage with so many amazing talent,” she continued. “Everybody was so amazing and I’m just so honored and so grateful that you guys thought I deserved to be crowned the winner, and again just for believing in me.”
Jessica Sanchez on returning to music, ‘AGT’
The victory comes 20 years after Sanchez competed on the first season of “AGT” when she was just 10 years old. She made it to the semifinals then.
A few years after that, in 2011, she competed on “American Idol” and made it all the way to the finale, where she ended up placing as the runner-up to winner Phillip Phillips.
But over time, as Sanchez told the judges during her “AGT” audition, she found herself discouraged and needing a break from music. She had been so young when she started doing this, and she wanted to make sure she was doing it for herself and not for others.
Returning to “AGT” for Season 20 was a big step in her return to pursuing music — and it was a decision Sanchez said she didn’t make lightly.
Jessica Sanchez is the Season 20 winner of “America’s Got Talent.” | NBC
“I have struggled for a long time asking the Lord, ‘Is this what you want me to do?’” she reflected in the video posted shortly after her win. “I just surrendered it over to Him — if this is what you want, whatever the outcome is, I trust you.”
The singer said she hadn’t been doing much music when she decided to go on “AGT” again — which made returning even more daunting.
“It was really scary for me because I’d done this before, and I feel like I’d failed in the past. So coming back, it was really scary — and then a couple of days later I find out that I’m pregnant.”
Sanchez said she questioned if she should still pursue “AGT” after learning she was pregnant, but her husband encouraged her to go through with it. She said she had a “peaceful” feeling about returning.
“God has opened that door and I think it’s your responsibility to just walk through it and see what happens,” Sanchez recalled her husband telling her. “I just took a leap of faith and did the audition.”
Jessica Sanchez’s run on ‘AGT’
With her “AGT” audition — a rendition of Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” that on YouTube has garnered 10 million views — Sanchez quickly became a strong contender to win Season 20.
The audience was so enthusiastic that the cheers nearly drowned out the feedback from the judges.
“I think they like you,” judge Simon Cowell said.
“AGT” judge Sofia Vergara ultimately opted to hit her golden buzzer for Sanchez, advancing her straight to the quarterfinals.
By the time her performance in the live quarterfinals came around (the “AGT” auditions had been filmed a few months in advance), Sanchez was eight months pregnant.
She almost didn’t perform because belting Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” at this stage of pregnancy seemed daunting, but she walked out onstage and delivered a performance that had the judges in awe.
“I am absolutely blown away,” Cowell said.
“You have never sounded better,” Mel B added.
But Sanchez’s performance during the semifinals didn’t go over as well. Mandel, in particular, criticized her song choice (JKVE’s “Golden Hour”). The singer’s fate was in the hands of viewers, though, who pushed her through to the finale.
And Sanchez was determined to do her best for her final performance — while nine months pregnant.
She received a standing ovation from all of the judges for her rendition of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With A Smile.” Mandel called the performance — which already has nearly 2 million views on YouTube — the best act of the night, and Cowell said it was her best performance on the show.
“You look like a little pregnant angel,” Vergara added. “You look beautiful. Your voice, I’ve never heard anything like that.”
Cowell praised Sanchez for choosing to return to “AGT” and showing persistence in her drive to pursue a music career.
“It was so important for our 20th anniversary that you came back,” he said. “Partly to show that even if you don’t win the first time, you’ve got to always believe in yourself.”
The next night, as Sanchez once again stood on the “AGT” stage, Crews called out her name and declared her the champion — a feat she’s still trying to wrap her head around.
“I cannot believe that I’m here, a Season 20 ‘AGT’ winner, nine months pregnant,” Sanchez said in her video. “It has been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever had to go through vocally and emotionally and mentally and physically. … It’s just been really crazy on my body, but you guys have really been showing me so much love and really have been helping me get back up.”
Jessica Sanchez is the Season 20 winner of “America’s Got Talent.” | NBC
What’s next for Jessica Sanchez?
With her “AGT” victory, Sanchez has secured a headlining slot in Las Vegas and the show’s $1 million prize.
But first, the singer is preparing for another significant chapter in her life.
“I’m about to go home and be a mom,” she said.
Sanchez said she and her husband will soon be driving back to their home in Texas, since she is now too late in her pregnancy to fly. They are expecting their daughter in about two weeks.
The singer also said she has new music in the works, a lot of it inspired by her feelings as she embraces motherhood.
“I cannot wait to give you guys everything with this new music,” she said.
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