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After weeks of competition and unforgettable performances, America's Got Talent has named its season 20 champion. Singer Jessica Sanchez was crowned the winner during the Sept. 24 finale, walking away with the $1 million prize and the coveted title.
An emotional Sanchez, who was nine months pregnant during the finals, broke down in tears as host Terry Crews announced her name. "I'm really emotional right now," she said. "This is amazing, thank you so much, America."
Sanchez's journey on AGT came full circle nearly two decades after first appearing on the show as a 10-year-old in season one. Earlier this season, judge Sofía Vergara awarded her the Golden Buzzer after her audition of Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things." For the finale, she delivered a stirring rendition of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars' "Die With a Smile." "This has been 20 years in the making, this would mean everything," she said before taking the stage.
The finale saw the competition narrowed down to the top five: freestyle rapper Chris Turner, LED dance group LightWire, singer Jourdan Blue, Leo High School Choir, and Sanchez. LightWire finished fifth, the Leo High School Choir placed fourth, Blue came in third, and Turner was the runner-up.
The season's top 10 finalists also included rapper Mama Duke, aerial duo Sirca Marea, musician Micah Palace, Steve Ray Ladson, and dance crew Team Recycled. Judges Simon Cowell, Mel B, Sofía Vergara, and Howie Mandel praised the performers for raising the bar during the milestone season. "I think everyone did good and everyone can walk away going, 'I couldn't give it anymore,'" Cowell said. Vergara added, "Everybody put their best effort to make it a special season."
The finale was packed with celebrity appearances and collaborations. Guest stars included Leona Lewis, Ciara, Aloe Blacc, Manuel Turizo, Journey guitarist Neal Schon, Danny O'Donoghue, and season 19 winner Richard Goodall. Memorable pairings saw Lewis performing with LightWire, Ciara taking the stage with Team Recycled, and O'Donoghue inviting Jourdan Blue to join The Script on tour.
Reflecting on her long journey, Sanchez told Us Weekly, "I started when I was 10 years old on AGT, and here I am 20 years later... It's been a struggle, but I believed in myself and kept pushing, and here I am now more blessed than ever. You just have to keep believing."
