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This past week, America’s Got Talent crowned the victor of its Season 20. Though the reality TV show welcomes all kinds of talent to its stage, the winner was an incredibly gifted singer—finalist Jessica Sanchez, who was in the third trimester of her pregnancy when she was announced as the winner.
As the season winner, Jessica will take home the prize money of $1 million. Beyond that, however, she also boasts a lengthy reality TV career, and you may even notice her from elsewhere.
Jessica Has Been On Other Competition Shows
Jessica’s win on AGT actually comes nearly two decades after her first-ever TV appearance. Longtime viewers of the show may recall that she actually appeared on the original season of AGT back in 2006, when she was just around 10 or 11 years old.
Even at that young age, Jessica shocked the judges with her powerhouse vocals. At the time, she made it all the way to the semifinals before being eliminated. Although she didn’t win in Season 1, her early appearance on the show introduced her to a national audience and marked the beginning of what would become her lengthy music journey.
Jessica took some time away from TV, but she was back in 2011, this time joining American Idol Season 11. Throughout that season, Jessica was known for her technically impressive vocals and mature stage presence—very different from her performances as a child on AGT.
Viewers of the season may recall the way that Jessica became a fan favorite and ultimately finished as the runner-up. The judges especially lauded her performances of “I Will Always Love You” and “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” which showcased her impressive vocal range and technical skill.
The Top 10 Finalists Of AGT Season 20:
- Jessica Sanchez – Vocalist with powerhouse vocals and emotional performances.
- Chris Turner – Soulful singer known for his rich, smooth tone.
- Jourdan Blue – Spoken word poet delivering powerful, socially conscious pieces.
- Leo High School Choir – Inspirational youth choir blending harmonies and choreography.
- LightWire – Dance and visual effects group using LED costumes to tell glowing, animated stories.
- Mama Duke – Rapper and producer combining sharp lyrics with high-energy performance.
- Micah Palace – Singer-songwriter known for his original music and emotional delivery.
- Sirca Marea – Aerialist and acrobat performing gravity-defying stunts with elegance.
- Steve Ray Ladson – Blues and gospel musician with a unique fusion of voice and instruments.
- Team Recycled – Percussion group creating rhythm and music with recycled materials and props.
Jessica Also Spent Time On Scripted TV
Following American Idol, Jessica also branched out to other parts of her career. Shortly thereafter, she released her debut album Me, You & the Music in 2013. She also made a handful of TV appearances, the most prominent of which included a guest role on musical theater drama Glee.
This all took place before Jessica returned to AGT for a second shot at glory. Now 30-years-old, it seems she had the vocal mastery to go all the way, and she quickly advanced to the final few contestants. Once Jessica was announced as the season’s winner, she appeared moved, taking a moment to thank the fans who had championed her journey:
I’m really emotional right now. This is amazing. Thank you so much, America.
