Jessica Sanchez just sang her heart out on America’s Got Talent Season 20. As she performed, the judges sat, mesmerized by her talents. And then, when all was said and done, one judge stood up and slapped the golden buzzer, sending Jessica straight to the live shows for this season of AGT.
After Sofia Vergara awarded Jessica her golden-hued win, Jessica wept on the set. Then, flashbacks aired, showing a ten-year-old version of Jessica first gracing this competitive stage back in Season 1 in 2006. During this emotional scene, fans realized Jessica is the epitome of perseverance when lifelong dreams are at stake. From her first cut on this series to this week, where her talents and growth collided, resulting in a golden buzzer, this is the career path that Jessica has traveled.
What happened during Jessica Sanchez’s America’s Got Talent Season 1 run?
When Jessica turned ten, she auditioned for the first season of America’s Got Talent. Her audition in Season 1 Episode 101 was sadly not televised. Nevertheless, Jessica received the needed “Yes” votes from the judges, and off she went to her first AGT Semifinals round.
Sadly, Jessica was one of five acts eliminated by the judges before she even got the chance to perform in the Semifinals. But she was so talented for her age that one of her then-judges, Brandy Norwood, brought Jessica back as a Wild Card pick. Her performance of I Surrender during the Wild Card show earned her a unanimous “Yes” from all three of her judges. But this victory quickly proved short-lived.
Despite her impressive Wild Card performance, Jessica did not receive enough votes from the American viewing public to advance any further in Season 1 of America’s Got Talent. Consequently, Jessica got eliminated yet again in Episode 113. Yet, this first season of AGT lit a fire in Jessica, which only made her push forward all the more. And so, she went on to compete in another singing competition series just a handful of years later.
How did Jessica Sanchez do on American Idol?
In 2012, Jessica competed on Season 11 of American Idol. She fared far better here. But after placing in the Top 7, she received the fewest votes from the viewers at home. This aspect placed her in the danger zone for the following elimination period.
However, the judges on American Idol quickly entered the chat, using their one save to keep Jessica in the competition. They knew that she had the talent to make a name for herself in this industry. So, they helped their blind-to-the-obvious voters by refusing to entertain their lackluster feelings for Jessica.
From there, Jessica soared. She even advanced to the finale. But, alas, American Idol Season 11 was also not hers to win. Instead, Jessica lost out to her fellow contestant, Phillip Phillips. This loss placed Jessica in the respectable runner-up position.
Following her second-place win on American Idol, Jessica went on to star in two episodes of Glee during Season 4. Then, Jessica somewhat fell off our radar. Until this week, that is, when, twenty years later, Jessica came back for another shot at fame on Season 20 of her original platform, America’s Got Talent.
How did the judges react to Jessica in AGT Season 20?
When Jessica took the stage this week for America’s Got Talent Season 20, Jessica touched on her journey from Season 1 to the present date. She lost her love for music, she explained, but now, she is ready to give this dream another go. And then, Jessica belted out Beautiful Things by Benson Boone, blowing everyone away with her range, tone, and heart.
When Jessica finished singing, the judges sang her praises. Referring to the loud and on their feet studio audience, Simon Cowell quipped, “I think they like you!” Meanwhile, Mel B. agreed, saying, “Jessica, I’m speechless. You’ve got the voice of a bloody angel.”
Howie Mandel felt equally impressed with Jessica. “I gotta say, wow, 20 years is a long time, but well worth the wait. I love that song, and you made this song your own, and you blew the roof off the place, you are so wonderful,” he raved.
As for Sophia, she declared that something very special was happening on this stage. Then, Sophia gushed some more, calling Jessica “beautiful” and “ready.” Driving her feelings home, Sophia finally declared, “I think that you deserve this,” before leaning forward to smash the golden buzzer.
As golden flakes fell over Jessica, flashbacks played, reminding everyone how far this determined human has come. And if you ask me, she has the chops to win it all on America’s Got Talent Season 20.
America’s Got Talent airs on Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC and streams the following day on Peacock.
TELL US – DID YOU ENJOY WATCHING JESSICA EARN A GOLDEN BUZZER ON AGT? HOW FAR DO YOU THINK JESSICA WILL GO IN THIS COMPETITION?
