Jessica Sanchez at the “America’s Got Talent” live quarterfinals. Photo: Screengrab from YouTube/America’s Got Talent
After receiving her golden buzzer during the auditions, Jessica Sanchez made a triumphant return to the “America’s Got Talent” (AGT) stage on Tuesday night, Sept. 2 ( US time), for the live quarterfinals.

The Filipino-American singer impressed both the audience and judges Sofia Vergara, Simon Cowell, Mel B and Howie Mandel with a powerful rendition of Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” belting out the high notes even as she was eight months pregnant.

Vergara, who gave Sanchez the golden buzzer at the auditions, praised the 29-year-old singer’s resilience and vocal strength following the latest performance.

“Bravo, Jessica! That was amazing. I know that you have felt that you have been struggling because of the belly and the breathing, and your voice doesn’t feel the same. But that was spectacular. And America is loving you; you are the best,” Vergara said.

Cowell, on the other hand, revealed that Sanchez had been feeling unwell before stepping on stage but pushed through nonetheless.

“I am absolutely blown away. A few seconds ago, before Jessica came out, I heard that she wasn’t feeling so good. And I said, ‘Look, honestly, it’s your choice whether you want to do this or not.’ And Jessica said, ‘No, I want to do this, ‘” shared Cowell.

 

 

“You’re a brave, brave person. I’m so happy you did. You have such an amazing tone, and not only that, you have this amazing–I call it a glow, a glow about you. People are going to really like you, I really believe, root for you. And I’m so happy after all these years on our 20th anniversary you have come back. Thank you,” added the renowned judge.

Mel B and Mandel, for their part, added their admiration for Sanchez’s performance. “Can I just say to you, you have never sounded better. I swear to God. God as my witness. Brilliant,” said Mel B.

Mandel added, “When you hit those big notes, I was worried that this production was going to turn into a reproduction.”

The results of the quarterfinals will be announced on Thursday (Manila time).

Sanchez, who was only 10 years old when she joined the first season of “America’s Got Talent” and made it to the semifinals, previously said that she “kind of fell out of love with music” over the years but is now ready to return, which is why she joined this year’s AGT.

After her first AGT stint, Sanchez joined “American Idol” Season 11, where she finished as second runner-up. /ra