September 24, 2025 | 11:09am
MANILA, Philippines — She could give birth anytime now, but on the “America’s Got Talent” finale stage, Jessica Sanchez already delivered.
The artist gave her most powerful performance yet with her version of “Die With A Smile,” originally sung by fellow Filipino-American Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga.
Clad in white, Jessica sang her heart out while confetti rained around her and the audience took out the flashlights on their phones.
By the time she finished, Jessica received a standing ovation from the crowd and all four judges — Howie Mandel, Mel B, Sofia Vergara, and Simon Cowell.
Sofia — who gave Jessica the golden buzzer back in the auditions phase — reiterated her past praises and described Jessica as “a pregnant angel with a beautiful voice.”
“I feel like every time we see you, you kind of bring us into your world more and more. You give us more emotion, more passion,” former Spice Girl Mel B said, praising Jessica’s “flawless vocals” no matter the song and joking the baby managed to stay in.
Howie echoed Sofia and Mel B’s comments and called Jessica’s finale performance the best of the night so far.
Simon said he felt an extra 10% from Jessica and quipped that it may have been because the performance was still a duet with her baby.
The veteran judge also noted the importance of Jessica returning for the talent show competition’s 20th season after reaching the semifinals of its inaugural run.
“Importantly to show that even if you don’t win the first time, you’ve got to always believe in yourself, right? And that’s what you’ve done,” Simon said.
Simon commended the arrangement Jessica went for “Die With A Smile” and called it her best performance.
Jessica was 10 years old when she first competed in “America’s Got Talent.” Six years after that, she finished as the first runner-up of “American Idol” Season 11 behind Phillip Phillips.
The winner of “America’s Got Talent” Season 20 will be announced on September 24 (the morning of the 25th in the Philippines). — Video from the “America’s Got Talent” YouTube channel
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