Tue Jul 15 21:10:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Jessica Sanchez, Former ‘American Idol’ Runner-Up, Earns Golden Buzzer on ‘America’s Got Talent’ Season 20**

**LOS ANGELES, CA** – In a heartwarming return to the stage that started her career, Jessica Sanchez, who rose to fame as the runner-up on “American Idol” Season 11 and previously competed on Season 1 of “America’s Got Talent”, has received the Golden Buzzer from judge Sofia Vergara on the seventh episode of “America’s Got Talent” Season 20.

Sanchez, now married and expecting her first child, shared with the judges, Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Sofia Vergara, that she had “fallen out of love with music” but has since rediscovered her passion and sense of self. Her performance of Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” wowed the audience and judges, prompting a standing ovation.

“She made the song her own and ‘blew the roof off the place,'” said judge Howie Mandel. Judge Sofia Vergara was so moved by the performance that she hit the Golden Buzzer, sending Sanchez directly to the live shows. “It was a special moment,” Vergara said.

Sanchez originally competed on “America’s Got Talent” at the age of 10, making it to the Semifinals. Her return to the show marks a new chapter in her career.

This week’s episode of “America’s Got Talent” airs tonight at 8/7c on NBC. It remains to be seen if any other acts will receive a Golden Buzzer this week. As of now, each judge has pressed the Golden Buzzer twice except for Howie Mandel.

**About America’s Got Talent:**
America’s Got Talent features the US and abroad, participants possessing some form of talent from the US and abroad, aiming to impress the audience and judges, Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara.

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