Jessica Sanchez Makes History as Winner of 'America's Got Talent' Season 20

Jessica Sanchez has made television history, becoming the first contestant to win "America’s Got Talent" while nine months pregnant, capping off a 20-year journey that began with her first audition for the show at just 10 years old.

Jessica Sanchez has officially claimed the crown on "America’s Got Talent" season 20, marking a historic victory on the long-running NBC competition. On September 24, 2025, the 30-year-old singer triumphed over freestyle rapper Chris Turner during the season finale, securing both the title and the top prize.

For Sanchez, the win wasn't just about the trophy. It was the culmination of a journey that started nearly two decades ago, when she first stepped on the "AGT" stage in 2006 at just 10 years old. Back then, she fell short of making it to the inaugural season’s grand finale. Looking back, she described her latest achievement as "20 years in the making."

"I was on season one when I was 10 years old, and just going through all those years of feeling rejected and feeling like a failure, I had to pick myself back up and believe in myself again," Sanchez told Billboard in a September 25, 2025 interview. "I continued to fight for my dreams, and throughout the 20 years, it's been really hard trying to find myself as an artist and as a woman."

Her victory was groundbreaking for another reason: Sanchez is the first "AGT" contestant to win while nine months pregnant. She and her husband, Rickie Gallardo, are expecting their first child together.

"This has been the hardest thing I've ever had to go through physically and vocally," she admitted. "I'm fighting against my hormones! And also my baby growing — it's amazing that she’s healthy, but it's pushing up against my diaphragm, so I kinda had to teach myself how to sing again."

The singer, who also gained fame as a finalist on "American Idol," reflected on the word that best sums up her path to this moment: "surrender." She never thought she'd be spending her first pregnancy going through a major competition, learning how to perform in front of a crowd.

As her "AGT" chapter closes, Sanchez is preparing for her next role, motherhood, while embracing the momentum of her artistic career. "It just ended so beautifully for me, but I'm now about to enter a new season," she said. "My pregnancy is coming to an end, and I'm gonna be a mom."

Even as she gets ready to welcome her baby, Sanchez remains focused on the future of her music. She acknowledged that she's on a beautiful journey, and that there are so many things happening for her all at once.