America’s Got Talent Season 20 Winner Revealed
Jessica Sanchez‘s got talent.
The singer was named the winner of America’s Got Talent‘s 20th season, beating out freestyle rapper Chris Turner to take home the top prize on the Sept. 24 episode.
But the for 30-year-old—who first auditioned for the NBC competition in 2006, but failed to make it to the season one grand finale—her big feat was something “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,” she told Billboard in an interview published Sept. 25. “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.”
Not only was Jessica’s victory a full-circle moment, but it also cemented her in the AGT history books for winning while nine-months pregnant with her and husband Rickie Gallardo‘s first baby.
“This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through physically and vocally,” she shared. “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.”
That’s why American Idol alum thinks the word that perfectly encapsulates her journey is “surrender.”
“Being pregnant and doing this,” she said, “I never would have thought I would be spending my first pregnancy trying to figure out how to sing and perform.”
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Jessica continued of her AGT experience, “It just ended so beautifully for me, but I’m now about to enter a new season. My pregnancy is coming to an end, and I’m gonna be a mom.”
And she’s looking forward to sharing her music with her little one. As Jessica put it, “I’m still on this beautiful journey, and there are so many things happening.”
For more behind-the-scenes stories from America’s Got Talent, read on.
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Do America’s Got Talent Contestants Audition for the First Time in Front of the Judges?
No. In fact, contestants have a long road before they audition in front of the judges, who include Howie Mandel, Mel B, Sofía Vergara and Simon Cowell for season 20.
“We have open call auditions virtually to reach as many people as possible,” Theresa Graham, NBCUniversal’s director of unscripted formats, told NBC Insider in 2022. “Anybody can sign up and have an audition with our casting team and producers. If they think that somebody is worth considering, they put them through to our executive producers. After they say yes, then the act will go to audition in front of the judges. We all see everything play out from there.”
Hopefuls can try out through either an in-person or virtual open call or through a video audition.
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How Long Do Contestants Have to Audition for America’s Got Talent?
Set your timers! Because according to the audition guidelines, individuals will have up to 90 seconds to show off their skills during the open calls. However, the regulations note “producers reserve the right to modify audition times.”
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Is There Anything America’s Got Talent Contestants Can’t Bring to the Open Call Auditions?
Yes, quite a few items, actually.
While many acts incorporate open flames, for instance, the rules state that “fire and special rigging are not allowed at open call auditions.” Similarly, competitors will need to fill out an Animal Information Form and bring the animal’s vaccination record if their act incorporates an animal. Other prohibited items, per the rules, include “coolers (unless for medical reasons), fireworks, weapons, sharp tools, mace/pepper spray, illicit drugs, alcohol, [or] props requiring fire or pyrotechnics.”
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Does America’s Got Talent Cover Contestants’ Expenses to Audition in Front of the Judges?
Once contestant make it through the initial rounds, they must try out in front of the judges. However, they don’t have to worry about paying the full bill to get there.
According to America’s Got Talent‘s audition guidelines, contestants will be provided with airfare if they have to travel far for the judges audition round, or they’ll be given a bus ticket, train ticket or gas reimbursement for driving if they live fairly close to the audition site. They are also provided with hotel accommodations as well as a daily allowance for food or other expenses.
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Do America’s Got Talent Contestants Get Their Hair and Makeup Done?
According to America’s Got Talent audition guidelines, the show does not provide hair and makeup support for contestants during the judges audition round; however, competitors are expected to come “camera ready.” Although, the series does provide these services for contestants for future rounds.
In fact, AGT‘s makeup artist Tonia Green noted on Instagram the hair and makeup team worked with “hundreds of contestants” during season 19.
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Do America’s Got Talent Contestants Rehearse Their Acts Before the Show?
Yes. Contestants have the opportunity to run through their acts during the rehearsals. However, this isn’t the only part of the show they go over.
“I don’t know if you guys know this, but all the contestants have to do a results rehearsal,” Sofie Dossi, who competed on three seasons of America’s Got Talent, shared in a 2024 YouTube video. “It’s so everyone knows where to go if you’re booted off or if you make it through and for the staff to figure out lighting and camera angles.”
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Do the Winners of America’s Got Talent Get Their Money Right Away?
The grand prize for winning America’s Got Talent is $1 million. But does the champion get the full amount right away?
“The prize, which totals $1,000,000 is payable in a financial annuity over forty years,” a statement at the end of the show’s credits read, “or the contestants may choose to receive the present value of such annuity.”
If you take $1,000,000 and you divide it by 40, that comes out to $25,000 per year before taxes for those who choose to receive the payment over time.
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