Eight months after winning America's Got Talent (AGT) Season 20, Jessica Sanchez is still overjoyed as she thinks about how all her hard work has finally paid off.
She was 16 when she finished as a runner-up in American Idol Season 11 (2011-2012).
Then at 30, and nine months pregnant with her first child, she bagged the grand champion title in AGT with her breathtaking rendition of Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga's "Die With A Smile."
Speaking to entertainment media in her Manila presser, Jessica said her big win came after a long journey marked both by highs and lows in her singing career.
"I would tell my family and friends during my AGT process, 'The Lord was telling me this is my season, this is my time,'" she began.
“But what people haven’t seen is the phone calls, behind the scenes, and people kinda telling me I couldn’t do certain things when I was younger because I was Filipino-Mexican in a predominantly white and black music entertainment group.
“It was really hard for Filipinos to shine.”
She admitted to encountering many setbacks that, at one point, made her question whether she was on the right track.
"I was kind of giving up on music. I was doing this for such a long time. And I was like, ‘Lord, is this what you want for me?’
“I’ll take a step forward, I’ll take ten steps back.”
Despite the doubts in her mind, she persisted in doing what she loves.
Getting the golden buzzer on AGT S20 was a full-circle moment since her very first appearance on the show was when she was picked as a wild-card act in the very first season in 2005.
“And the Lord did not only bless me with the opportunity with AGT and winning AGT, but also with my baby girl.
“So I felt like this was really my season and my time.”
Jessica went on to say that she still can’t believe how smooth her AGT journey was even though she was with child during the four-month competition.
She recalled: “Typically, I’m a very anxious person. I overthink a lot. I’m a perfectionist. So when some things, like just the smallest thing is wrong, I freak out. I’m really hard on myself.
“But, this is why I feel like the Lord’s hand is on me this season, because when I found out that I’m pregnant and when I found out that I got the golden buzzer, typically, I’ll be like, ‘Oh my gosh! I’m gonna be nine months pregnant!’
"Then I go, ‘How am I gonna do this?’ But the Lord was like, ‘Trust me, I got you.’
“I was really like chilling. I was good. I was fine. Everything’s gonna be fine. Whatever happens, happens. I’m just gonna leave it in the Lord’s hands.”
And for Jessica, that moment of surrender made all the difference.
Emphasizing that she couldn't have done it on her own, she said: “And really, He delivered more than I can ever ask for.
“If you guys can see me, I think being pregnant, carrying my baby, when you think it was the most stressful time, it was actually the most beautiful time.
"I thank God for that.”
Jessica also gave profuse thanks to her fellow Filipinos who supported her AGT stint.
“And honestly, I do thank all my supporters, especially here in the Philippines because they really kinda show so much love from the Internet.
“When I look at my performances, a beautiful thing, I got the golden buzzer, all of the love and people saying, ‘Oh my gosh, she’s back! I’m gonna vote for her!’
“Oh my goodness! It was just so overwhelming and so sweet to see.”
JESSICA SANCHEZ HOMECOMING CONCERT and new album
And now she’s back in Manila for her self-titled homecoming concert, happening this Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Arenata Coliseum.
Joining her as celebrity guests are OPM icons Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, and Gary Valenciano.
Morissette, James Reid, Daren, and Vice Ganda are also part of the concert.
Asked about her thoughts on her line-up of guests, she replied: “I had a list of people that I really, really wanted to guest at the show. And my whole list got approved and it happened, so I’m so excited to perform with these legends.
“It’s gonna be an amazing show. I cannot wait to share the stage with these amazing musicians and talents.”
She would be performing her collab song with Morrissette, and described the duet as a reflection of their shared faith and similar experiences as singers.
Aside from performing songs that highlight her career journey, Jessica said her repertoire would include tracks from her newest eight-track album, Seasons.
She shared that her album captures the different seasons of her life, and how she has discovered her purpose through the years.
“My first time coming to the Philippines was after I came in second runner-up on Idol. That was just insane. I didn’t realize how much support I have here, so that meant a lot to me.
“I feel like I was only 16 years old [then]. I really don’t know who I was as an artist. I was still a teenager, so I didn’t know how to really handle the success I was given at the time.
“Now, being an AGT Season 20 winner, I feel like the Lord really prepared me throughout those years for that moment.”
on FINDING HER PURPOSE
For Jessica, it was not just about winning the competition but also about representing Filipinos and showing how women “can push through and overcome” any obstacle in life.
Smiling, she said: “I feel like now, we’re getting there. We’re really shining.
"We’re really showing around the world that Filipinos got talent in every area—singing, acting, dancing, and even sports.
“It makes me feel very proud in our culture and our people. It makes me feel very special to have a platform to represent the Filipino people."