SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Jessica Sanchez, a native of Chula Vista, was officially crowned the winner of the latest season of “America’s Got Talent,” 20 years after she first auditioned for the show.
Sanchez, who now lives in Texas with her husband, Rickie Gallardo, returned to audition for AGT’s 20th season earlier this year. During her audition, she revealed that she and her husband were expecting their first child.
She earned a Golden Buzzer from judge Sofia Vergara after singing her rendition of Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things.”
Sanchez, now 30, auditioned for the very first season of AGT when she was only 10 years old.
She eventually went on to compete on Season 11 of “American Idol,” but was named runner-up to Phillip Phillips.
Her setbacks did not stop her from pursuing her musical career, which included an appearance on the FOX show, “Glee.”
Sanchez attended Eastlake Middle School and was born to a Filipino mother and Mexican-American father who served in the U.S. Navy. She continued to show her pride for her cultural roots in subsequent performances, including concerts in the Philippines.
After several smaller stints in music, she declared she was ready to return to AGT.
“Throughout the years, I kind of fell out of love for music because I was really young and I was so swayed by what everyone wanted me to be, who they wanted me to be,” she told the judges during her audition. “Maybe it took me 20 years, but I know exactly who I am, I know exactly what I want. I’m excited to be back!”
For her performance during the finals, Sanchez performed “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. Originally sung as a duet, Sanchez cinched her win with her own powerful rendition of the ballad while nine months pregnant.
She gained enough votes from fans, ultimately taking home the $1 million grand prize and title of champion.
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