After all the tears, the cheers, the confetti and the fireworks, America’s Got Talent has a new champion — Jessica Sanchez.
The Texas native’s name was called out during the finale Wednesday night (Sept. 24) on NBC, completing a decades-long dream that a scriptwriter would be proud of.
With her win, Sanchez collects the $1 million champion’s check, an all expenses paid trip to Universal’s new theme park Epic Universe, and a special place in the hearts of a nation.
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Sanchez is the comeback kid, for real. She auditioned for the first season of AGT back in 2006, when she herself was a child. Now aged 30 and married, she’s the hero of AGT 2025, which she aced while nine months pregnant with a daughter of her own.
On Tuesday night’s (Sept. 23) live final, Sanchez nailed her rendition of “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. Wearing a delicate all-white ensemble, Sanchez was all power and precision. “It’s perfection,” remarked Sofía Vergara, after the singer’s final performance. “You look like a little pregnant angel. I mean you look beautiful, your voice, I’ve never heard anything like that. Bravo Jessica.”
It was Vergara who, during Sanchez’s audition, gave the singer her Golden Buzzer, and a direct pass to the live round of the competition.
Viewers agreed. When America voted for the final time, it was Sanchez who came out on top.
Earlier, Sanchez joined forces with aerial specialists Sirca Marea for one last performance of “Golden Hour” by JVKE, returning to a song that earned her a spot in the Finals.
Performing in front of the acrobatic pair, “I feel like they made the song come alive,” she later told AGT host Terry Crews. “I mean, they’re just so amazing.”
Sanchez came out ahead of a 10-strong Finals field that included Mama Duke, Micah Palace, Steve Ray Ladson, Team Recycled, Chris Turner, LightWire, Jourdan Blue, Leo High School Choir and the high-flying Sirca Marea.
For the record, second place went to freestyle rapper Chris Turner, and singer Jourdan Blue completed the podium in third place. Chicago’s Leo High School Choir came fourth, and visual artists LightWire snagged fifth position.
Watch Sanchez’ final performance below.
More to come.
