The spotlights dimmed, the crowd roared, and a new champion was crowned on NBC’s hit competition show, America’s Got Talent. On Wednesday, September 24, host Terry Crews announced the exciting news. Singer Jessica Sanchez took home the grand prize: a cool one million dollars. She received the most votes from the public, making her the Season 20 winner.
Sanchez, 30, truly impressed everyone from her very first audition. Nine months pregnant, she captured hearts with a stunning rendition of Benson Boone’s "Beautiful Things." For the finale, she delivered a powerful performance of "Die With a Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. This wasn’t her first time on the AGT stage, though. Back in 2006, as a 10-year-old, she reached the semifinals during the show’s first season. Talk about a full-circle moment!
"Look at my life. I started at 10 years old on AGT, and here I am 20 years later," Sanchez told Us Weekly after the semifinals, which were sponsored by Lavazza. "Those 20 years were full of ups and downs. It’s been a struggle, but I believed in myself and kept going. Here I am now, more blessed than ever. You just have to keep believing."
The night before, on Tuesday, September 23, ten talented acts performed at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. They all hoped to win over judges Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Mel B, and Howie Mandel. While the final decision rested with America, the judges praised every contestant for how much they grew since their first auditions.
"I think everyone did well, and everyone can leave saying, ‘I couldn’t have given more,’" Cowell, 65, shared with Us Weekly after the semifinal rounds. He noted how much better everyone was, thanks to rehearsals. "It’s up to America, and I’m glad I don’t have to decide."
Vergara, 53, added to the excitement. "I’m so thrilled because we were hoping for a 20th-anniversary celebration," she said. "This feels like a celebration because everyone outdid themselves. Everyone gave their best to make it a special season."
While Sanchez claimed the big million-dollar prize, Season 20 featured many memorable acts that left a lasting impression.
The Leo High School Choir from Chicago, led by their dedicated teacher Ms. LaDonna Hill, consistently captivated audiences. Their passion and energy lit up the stage week after week. Then there was the aerial duo Matias Cienfuegos and Micaela Leitner, who wowed everyone with their gravity-defying performances. And let’s not forget Spanglish pop artist Micah Palace, who earned a golden buzzer and a wave of new fans with his World Cup-worthy song, "Rodeo."
Win or lose, Howie Mandel, 69, previously told Us Weekly that many America’s Got Talent participants find success long after the show ends. He’s confident that viewers will see much more from their Season 20 favorites in the coming months.
"I think those who get the chance to be on this show and display their talent end up being winners," he explained to Us Weekly. "If you walk down the main street of Las Vegas, most of the showrooms are headlined by AGT participants. Not necessarily the winners, but those who become audience favorites. The beautiful and the bad thing about this show is that only one act wins. But I think, with this kind of exposure, this becomes their career. Their dreams come true. You don’t have to win. You just have to be on the show."