Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez made an emotional return to America’s Got Talent as she announced that she is expecting her first child, performed 20 years after she first stepped on the same stage, and received the coveted golden buzzer from one of the judges.
Now 29, Sanchez first competed in the show’s inaugural season in 2006, reaching the semifinals at age 10 with a performance of Celine Dion’s “I Surrender.”
On the July 16 episode of Season 20, she returned to the AGT stage, earning a standing ovation with her soulful rendition of Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things.”
“I’m married now, and another surprising thing is, I recently found out I’m pregnant,” Sanchez announced before her performance.
Referring to the roar of applause from the audience as she finished her performance, Simon Cowell remarked, “I think they like you!” Added Howie Mandel, “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.”
Mel B. agreed, saying, “Jessica, I’m speechless. You’ve got the voice of a bloody angel. Beautiful. I’m lost for words.”
Sofía Vergara, visibly moved, hit the golden buzzer, sending the singer straight to the live shows.
“I think there is something very special happening on this stage with you. It’s so amazing that we are on the 20th anniversary, the 20th season, you’re here again after 20 years, you’re pregnant, you’re so beautiful, you’re so ready to do all this, I mean, I don’t understand what happened in this 20 years, but I guess there were meant to be because this was a special moment and I think that you deserve this…” Vergara said before leaning forward to smash the golden buzzer.
Judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, and Mel B. praised Sanchez for her vocal maturity and stage presence. “You’ve got the voice of a bloody angel,” said Mel B.
Sanchez, who also finished as runner-up on American Idol in 2012, said returning to AGT helped her reconnect with her passion for music.
