It was a “flawless” performance that carried San Diego native Jessica Sanchez over the finish line to win season 20 of “America’s Got Talent” and take home the $1 million prize.
Sanchez earned America’s votes and walked away as the NBC show’s champion during the results finale that aired on Wednesday night. She cemented her win on Tuesday night with a performance of Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga’s hit “Die With a Smile,” described as “perfection” by judge and actress Sofia Vergara.
The win was nearly 20 years in the making. “America’s Got Talent” viewers were first introduced to Sanchez’s talent during the show’s first season, when she was only 10 years old. She was eliminated during the show’s semifinals.
“It was so important for our 20th anniversary that you came back, most importantly to show that even if you don’t win the first time, you have to always believe in yourself,” judge Simon Cowell said to Sanchez following her performance.
Sanchez received praise from the judges throughout the season for delivering powerful performances, week after week, all while eight months pregnant.
In an interview with the Union-Tribune in July, Sanchez said she was “blessed” to return to the ‘America’s Got Talent” stage. “It’s not like: ‘I have to do this.’ It’s: ‘I get to do this’,” she said.
Chula Vista native Jessica Sanchez wins Season 20 of “America’s Got Talent.” (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)
‘America’s Got Talent’/‘American Idol’ alum Jessica Sanchez is back: ‘I know who I am’