Jessica Sanchez Just Got the Golden Buzzer on AGT - And We’re Not Crying, You Are
July 16, 2025
Jessica Sanchez is having a full-circle moment, and honestly, we’re emotional about it. The Fil-Am vocal powerhouse, who first appeared on America’s Got Talent as a kid back in 2006, just made her return for AGT’s 20th anniversary season. And let’s just say, she didn’t come to play.
Now 28, married, and pregnant with her first child, Jessica stepped back onto the stage that started it all and delivered a soulful cover of Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” that had the judges floored. Sofia Vergara was so moved she hit the Golden Buzzer, sending Jessica straight to the live shows. Mel B called her voice angelic. Simon Cowell literally said he wished she had won American Idol. Don’t we all, Simon, DON’T WE ALL.
Take a look at her amazing performance earlier this week that won over Sofia Vergara and got her that golden buzzer.
If you’ve been rocking with us for a minute, you’ll know Jessica is part of our Kollective Hustle fam. She joined one of our early TFCU talks and dropped gems about staying grounded, representing her roots, and pushing through the industry as a young Filipina artist. Since her runner-up finish on American Idol Season 11, she's continued to rep for the culture on global stages.
We had the pleasure of having her at one of our TFCU talks six years ago in Honolulu where she talked about what gets her moving forward even on the toughest of days. Check out her talk here down below.
To see her now, owning the AGT stage with even more power, grace, and life experience — while literally carrying new life — is nothing short of magic. She’s not just chasing dreams anymore, she’s living them out loud.
But in case you’re a new fan or you forgot just how long Jessica's been putting in the work, here are five things you might not know about her:
🎶 1. She sang on Showtime at the Apollo way back in 2005
At just 10 years old, Jessica performed “Respect” by Aretha Franklin on Showtime at the Apollo – years before her AGT and American Idol fame.
🏈 2. She’s performed the national anthem for pro sports teams… more than once
In 2008, she sang before a San Diego Chargers game, and again in 2017 before the Los Angeles Chargers vs. Raiders matchup – even taking a knee in solidarity during the anthem in 2017.
🌍 3. She laid down a Filipino national anthem performance for Manny Pacquiao
Jessica sang “Lupang Hinirang” at Pacquiao’s fight in Macau (2013), proudly representing her Filipino heritage. (Manny’s marketing team should hit her up to sing at this weekend’s fight night for a truly full circle moment.
🎤 4. She dropped a Christmas EP in just two days
Her holiday EP Christmas with Jessica (Dec 2015) was recorded in only 48 hours and features classics like Santa Baby. She recorded a few more holiday classics in 2024, as well.
✊ 5. Her post-COVID single “Us” featured Apl.de.Ap…but you might’ve missed it
In May 2021, she released “Us” alongside Apl.de.Ap (of Black Eyed Peas fame) and even made a cameo by Mark Cuban in the video
She’s been putting in work for years — and doing it all while proudly embracing her Filipino and Mexican roots. So this AGT moment isn’t just a comeback. It’s a glow-up, a reclaiming, and a celebration of everything she’s worked for.
If you’re not already following her journey, fix that:
Instagram: @jessicaesanchez
X/Twitter: @JessicaESanchez
We see you, Jess. We’ve seen you. And we’ll keep cheering you on… every high note, every milestone, and every moment of motherhood ahead.
Let’s go, Golden Buzzer Queen. 💛