Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez made a highly anticipated and triumphant return to the “America’s Got Talent” (AGT) stage after a 20-year hiatus, earning a coveted Golden Buzzer for her remarkable comeback audition. Sanchez, who first appeared on the show at the age of 10 during its inaugural season and reached the semi-finals, captivated the audience and judges with her powerful rendition of Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things.” Her performance was met with a standing ovation from the panel, which included Sofia Vergara, Simon Cowell, Mel B, and Howie Mandel, ultimately leading to Vergara pressing the Golden Buzzer.

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Explaining her long absence from the spotlight, Sanchez revealed that she had “kind of fell out of love with music” over the years. She candidly shared, “I was so swayed by what everybody wanted me to be, who they wanted me to be. And so, maybe it took me 20 years, but I know exactly who I am. And I know exactly what I want. I’m excited to be back.” During her emotional return, the singer also disclosed personal milestones, revealing that she is now married and recently discovered she is pregnant with her first child.

The judges were deeply impressed by Sanchez’s performance. Simon Cowell noted that her performance truly resonated with the audience, stating, “The people that matter are those behind them. I think they like you.” Howie Mandel lauded her return as “well worth the wait,” adding, “I love that song, and you made that song your own, and you blew the roof off the place. You are so wonderful.” Mel B was equally moved, commending Sanchez for possessing “the voice of a bloody angel” and expressing that she was “just lost for words.”

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Sofia Vergara, who awarded the Golden Buzzer, emphasized the special nature of the moment. “It’s so amazing that we are celebrating the 20th anniversary, the 20th season of AGT. You are here again after 20 years, you are pregnant. You are so beautiful; you are so ready to do all this. This was a special moment, and I think that you deserve this,” she stated before hitting the buzzer. The Golden Buzzer signifies that the contestant automatically advances to the live shows, bypassing further audition rounds. Backstage, Cowell further praised Sanchez, highlighting that “to succeed, you gotta have grit, determination, and talent. All those years of really wanting something and just going for it, it was like, powerful right. You’re an absolute star.”

Beyond her initial AGT appearance, Jessica Sanchez also gained significant recognition as the runner-up in the 11th season of “American Idol” in 2012. Following her success on “American Idol,” she released her debut album, “Me, You & the Music,” in 2013 and also made an appearance in the popular jukebox musical comedy-drama series “Glee.” More recently, in 2023, she gained viral attention for her cover of Beyoncé’s “Drunk in Love” and performed at the Miss Universe Philippines coronation night, showcasing her continued presence and talent in the music industry.