AUSTIN (KXAN) \u2014 On Wednesday, \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d<\/a> crowned Jessica Sanchez, a singer who lives in Texas, as its 20th season winner.<\/p>\n \u201cSanchez won America\u2019s hearts and votes for her resilience, passion and innate talent, taking home the $1 million grand prize tonight,\u201d NBC said in a news release.<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t Sanchez\u2019s first time to hit the big stage with AGT. Back in 2006, at just 10 years old, she gained national attention for the show\u2019s inaugural season. Sanchez made it to the semifinals, but she was then eliminated, according to NBC.<\/p>\n Jessica Sanchez pictured on \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d finale episode (Photo by: Trae Patton\/NBC)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Jessica Sanchez pictured on \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d finale episode (Photo by: Trae Patton\/NBC)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Jessica Sanchez pictured on \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d finale episode (Photo by: Trae Patton\/NBC)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Jessica Sanchez pictured on \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d finale episode (Photo by: Trae Patton\/NBC)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Sofia Vergara and Jessica Sanchez pictured on \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d finale episode (Photo by: Trae Patton\/NBC)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n \u201cAfter years of pursuing a career as a recording artist, [Sanchez] took a break from singing until her recent return to the stage where it all began. In the process, Sanchez rediscovered her voice, confidence and purpose,\u201d the release said.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t until 20 years later that Sanchez returned to AGT all while expecting a baby girl, according to NBC.<\/p>\n During her audition, Sanchez performed \u201cBeautiful Things\u201d by Benson Boone, which earned her the Golden Buzzer from judge Sofia Vergara. She then returned live to AGT eight months pregnant and pushed through the Quarterfinals, where she performed \u201cOrdinary\u201d by Alex Warren.<\/p>\n In the semifinals, Sanchez performed JVKE\u2019s \u201cGolden Hour,\u201d which then earned her a spot in the finals.<\/p>\n On Thursday\u2019s final performance, Sanchez sang her own \u201cheartfelt arrangement\u201d of \u201cDie With A Smile\u201d by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, receiving a standing ovation from the show\u2019s judges.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was so important for our 20th anniversary that you came back, most importantly to show that even if you don\u2019t win the first time, you have to always believe in yourself,\u201d AGT Judge Simon Cowell said to Sanchez.<\/p>\n Mama Duke pictured on \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d the finale episode (Photo by: Trae Patton\/NBC)<\/p>\n Sanchez wasn\u2019t the only Texas resident competing for the winning spot. Mama Duke is an Austin-based singer and rapper<\/a> who competed against 10 other finalists Tuesday night.<\/p>\n During Mama Duke\u2019s audition, Mel B. told her that her original song was \u201calready a hit.\u201d And that it became \u2014 \u201cFeels So Good To Be You\u201d\u00a0reached No. 4 on the iTunes pop charts and No. 13 on the all-genre charts in July<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\n\n
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