AGT Finalist Jessica Sanchez Says Faith in Christ Has Sustained Her
Jessica Sanchez made a dramatic return to the talent stage with faith at the center of her story and a baby on the way. After nearly two decades away from national competition, she delivered a performance that reminded people why she first captured hearts. Her comeback is less about chasing fame and more about standing steady in belief.
Sanchez, 30, earned a spot in the America’s Got Talent finals after a semifinal performance of JVKE’s Golden Hour while nine months pregnant, a moment that drew a standing ovation. The emotional scene underscored a rare combination of talent, timing, and testimony. Viewers’ votes now decide who moves forward, and her story has already resonated with millions.
“I just keep telling my baby, I’m like, ‘Please just stay in there another week,'” she said after her semifinal appearance.
“I’m just so blessed and grateful.”
Judges were openly impressed by her voice and command of the song, noting both technical skill and heart. Sanchez was earlier selected as a golden buzzer pick by Sofía Vergara, which put her straight into the live shows. That nod set high expectations and Sanchez responded by delivering emotionally charged performances.
“Your vocals were just magical,” judge Mel B told her after her semifinal song. “You have a range that’s very similar to Mariah Carey. You can go up, down and around the corners — and you always land on point.”
WATCH: Jessica Sanchez Receives a GOLDEN BUZZER from Sofia Vergara | AGT 2025
“You get better and better — it’s perfection,” Vergara told her.
“You’re an absolute star,” Judge Simon Cowell previously said.
Sanchez has been open about the role her Christian faith plays in keeping perspective through the pressure and praise. She has said her identity is rooted in Christ and that grounding has kept her steady. For her, music and ministry now feel intertwined rather than at odds.
“My identity is in Christ, and that’s what has kept me steady through all of this,” she said. “No matter the outcome, I remind myself this is His will, not mine. That’s the only way I’ve been able to do this.”
The arc of her career is unusual: Sanchez first reached national attention on talent TV years ago, stepped away from the spotlight, and returned with clarity about who she is. She was also the runner-up to Phillip Phillips on American Idol in 2012, a high-profile moment that came with its own pressures. Time away from the industry gave her space to rediscover music on her terms.
“Throughout the years, I kind of fell out of love of music because I was really young, and I was so swayed by what everybody wanted me to be, who they wanted me to be,” she said during her reappearance on the show this summer. “… Maybe it took me 20 years, but I know exactly who I am. I know exactly what I want. I’m excited to be back.”
Now, Sanchez says she views any platform she has as a place to uplift others and to be bold about faith. She has noticed more people around her speaking about belief, and she calls that a positive shift. For her, authenticity matters more than optics.
“I feel like people nowadays aren’t afraid to share their faith,” she told The Christian Post. “There’s a breakthrough happening. I see it not just on stage but in my inner circle. It’s amazing.”
As the finals approach, Sanchez keeps expectations tempered with prayer and a sense of surrender. Success would mean a lot, but she repeatedly returns to the same anchor: trusting God’s will. That calm focus is part of what makes her performances feel honest rather than performative.
“Of course it would be meaningful to win,” she told The Christian Post. “But I’ve learned to just pray, ‘Lord, let Your will be done. Keep me mentally strong through this.'”
WATCH: Jessica Sanchez Pours Her Heart into “Golden Hour” Before Welcoming Baby Girl | AGT 2025
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/ America’s Got Talent
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, writing for outlets including Baptist Press and Christianity Today. He reports on how faith shapes the choices of people in entertainment and beyond. His work often highlights how personal belief informs public life.
Originally published September 19, 2025.