Jessica Sanchez<\/strong><\/a><\/span> is an America\u2019s Got Talent<\/i><\/span><\/a> champion nearly 20 years in the making.<\/p>\n Two decades after first appearing on NBC\u2019s competition series, the singer was crowned the winner of season 20.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cLook at my life. I started when I was 10 years old on AGT<\/i>, and here I am 20 years later, and those 20 years were full of highs and low lows,\u201d Sanchez, 30, exclusively shared with Us Weekly<\/i> after the semifinals on September 16. \u201cIt\u2019s been a struggle, but I believed in myself and kept pushing, and here I am now more blessed than ever. You just have to keep believing.\u201d<\/p>\n From the moment she auditioned in season 20 with a rendition of Benson Boone<\/strong>\u2019s hit single \u201cBeautiful Things<\/span><\/a>,\u201d Sanchez impressed judges Simon Cowell<\/strong><\/a>, Mel B<\/strong> and Howie Mandel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u2018America\u2019s Got Talent\u2019 Winners: Where Are They Now?<\/a><\/p>\n Sof\u00eda Vergara<\/strong> was such a fan that she used her Golden Buzzer to ensure the singer made it far in the competition.<\/p>\n After receiving the most votes from America on finale night, Sanchez is now $1 million richer and ready to make all of her musical dreams come true.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are so many amazing artists out there,\u201d she told Us<\/i> when asked who she would like to sing with someday. \u201cWe\u2019ll just have to see what the future brings.\u201d<\/p>\n Until then, keep reading to learn more about the new winner of America\u2019s Got Talent<\/i>:<\/p>\n Sofia Vergara and Jessica Sanchez<\/span> Trae Patton\/NBC<\/span><\/p>\n Sanchez wasn\u2019t sure if she was going to give birth to her baby girl before finale week.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, it could be,\u201d she told Us<\/i> after the semifinals about possibly becoming a mom mid-competition. \u201cWe never know because she\u2019s going to dictate when she\u2019s coming, but I am in the nine-month frame.\u201d<\/p>\n When not rehearsing for the show, Sanchez was able to take part in a maternity shoot and reflect on her pregnancy journey.<\/p>\n \u201cI never imagined I\u2019d be spending these final weeks of pregnancy away from home, in the middle of such an exciting competition,\u201d she wrote via Instagram<\/span><\/a> on September 14. \u201cI truly believe God\u2019s plan is greater than my own. This journey has been so unexpected, yet so beautiful, and I wouldn\u2019t have it any other way \ud83d\udc95.\u201d<\/p>\n Meet the \u2018America\u2019s Got Talent\u2019 Season 20 Finalists Competing for $1 Million<\/a><\/p>\n In 2012, Sanchez competed on season 11 of American Idol<\/i> with judges Steven Tyler<\/strong>, Jennifer Lopez<\/strong> and Randy Jackson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Although she came in second place behind winner Phillip Phillips<\/strong>, the singer loved her experience on the show.<\/p>\n \u201cI really think that Phillip deserved to win, and I\u2019m so happy for him,\u201d she told reporters<\/span><\/a> in a press conference after the finale. \u201cI don\u2019t have any regrets at all. I made it to the top two. That\u2019s crazy, so I\u2019m happy. I\u2019m content.\u201d<\/p>\n Jessica Sanchez and Rickie Gallardo<\/span> Courtesy of Rickie Gallardo\/Instagram<\/span><\/p>\n In an interview with TV Insider<\/span><\/a>, Sanchez gushed about her husband, who has always been supportive of her music career.<\/p>\n \u201cMy husband is my greatest foundation. My faith, too,\u201d she told the publication in September. \u201cI believe that God has something bigger for me than I could ever imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n In July, Gallardo reacted to his wife\u2019s pregnancy in an Instagram<\/span><\/a> post, writing, \u201cWatching you carry our child while still pouring your heart into every performance has left me in awe. You\u2019re not just strong\u2026 you\u2019re sacred. I\u2019ve never been more proud, more moved or more grateful to walk through life with you. This season we\u2019re in\u2026 it\u2019s the most beautiful one yet. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n Jessica Sanchez<\/span> Trae Patton\/NBC<\/span><\/p>\n During season 1 of America\u2019s Got Talent<\/i>, Sanchez \u2014 who was just 10 years old at the time \u2014 auditioned for NBC\u2019s reality show.<\/p>\n Although she was eliminated before the semifinals, Sanchez said she never gave up on her musical dreams.<\/p>\n \u201cThis big dream of mine really started 20 years ago. I really wanted to give the dream another shot,\u201d Sanchez said in a clip that played during the season 20 finale. \u201cI wish I could tell my 10-year-old self, \u2018Here we are today, girl.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018America\u2019s Got Talent\u2019 Season 20: Watch All the Inspiring Golden Buzzer Auditions<\/a><\/p>\n In 2013, Sanchez had the opportunity to guest star on the Fox musical series.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t had a lot of time to watch Glee<\/i> recently, but I\u2019ve been studying up, and I am taking acting lessons,\u201d Sanchez told The Hollywood Reporter<\/i><\/span><\/a> in November 2012 before her debut. \u201cI\u2019ve watched the show before in the past. I love the show. It\u2019s an amazing production.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\nJessica Sanchez Competed on \u2018AGT\u2019 When She Was Pregnant<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Jessica Sanchez Previously Competed on \u2018American Idol\u2019<\/b><\/h2>\n
Jessica Sanchez Is Married to Rickie Gallardo<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Jessica Sanchez Auditioned for \u2018AGT\u2019 as a Kid\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Jessica Sanchez Appeared on \u2018Glee\u2019<\/b><\/h2>\n