Jessica Sanchez Is Ready To Put On The Show Of Her Career
For the better part of two decades, Jessica Sanchez’s life has been played out on the stage. Most remember her when she competed on American Idol at just 16 years old and captivated the world with her powerhouse vocals. While she ultimately finished in second place, she did rise to international prominence as a name to watch for. She proved her talent once more when she competed on America’s Got Talent Season 20 in 2025, which she would go on to win after earning a coveted Golden Buzzer in her audition.
The victory not only reaffirmed Jessica’s undeniable talent but also reintroduced her to audiences old and new. Now, the Filipino-American musician is back in the Philippines for her homecoming concert happening on May 16 at the Araneta Coliseum. She won’t be alone, though, as Jessica will be joined by a roster of Filipino guest stars. But as excited as Jessica is for her return to the Philippine concert scene, she’s equally ecstatic that she’s entering this new chapter of her life and career as a new mother.
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Jessica Sanchez Returns to Manila
For anyone who grew up watching American Idol, Jessica Sanchez’s name is a familiar one. More than a decade later, she returned to the competition stage once again on America’s Got Talent, which was actually her second time to do so after joining the inaugural season when she was just a kid. She isn’t just a great performer, but arguabbly one of the first to establish the idea that Filipinos can and often will do well in international singing competitions.
From then until now, she has had Filipinos rooting for her, which makes her return to the country that much more special. “I’m just so happy to be back, honestly. It feels so refreshing to be back after such a long time, and especially after winning AGT and knowing how much support I got from the Philippines and from the Filipino people to come back and do this kind of homecoming concert,” she shares.
Sharing the stage with Jessica as her special guests are a who’s who of stars, namely: Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, Darren Espanto, Morissette, James Reid, and Vice Ganda. It’s a lineup of stars that Jessica is particularly excited by, given how it’s her wishlist come to life. “I had a list of people that I really, really wanted to guest at the show. And my whole list got approved, and it happened. So I’m so excited to perform with these legends,” she reveals.
One of those guests, Morissette, already collaborated with Jessica when they released their single Stronger Than Before, an anthemic track that celebrates resilience, faith, and personal growth, and one that she confirmed will be performed at the concert. But beyond the special guests, Jessica shares that the concert will also explore her journey as an artist, from her early days to winning AGT, and where she is now in her life. It makes for a setlist composed of nostalgic throwbacks, recent covers, and Jessica’s newer music, particularly from her new album Szn.
It’s a body of work that reflects the seasons and changes she’s been through, especially in the challenges she faced before her recent success. “Before I tried out for AGT, I kind of was giving up on music. I’ve been doing this for such a long time. And I was like, you know, Lord, is this what you want for me? I feel like I take a step forward and I take 10 steps back. And the Lord not only blessed me with the opportunity of AGT and winning AGT, but also with my baby girl. So I felt like this was really my season and my time.”
Jessica on Embracing Her Filipino Roots
Jessica’s return to the Philippines comes at not just a new peak in her career, but also as a symbol of Filipino talent on the global stage. As early as when she was 16 years old, she was seen as an international Filipino representation with jaw-dropping singing abilities. But even if she wasn’t born in the Philippines, serving as an inspiration to other Filipinos will always be something she’s proud of.
“What people haven’t seen is the phone calls and the behind-the-scenes of people kind of telling me I couldn’t do certain things when I was younger because I was Filipino-Mexican. It was really hard for the Filipinos to shine, and I feel like now we’re really getting our chance out there and we’re really shining, and we’re really showing everybody that we Filipinos have talent in every area, not only singing but dancing, acting, and many sports.”
As Jessica gets closer to her Filipino heritage, her artistry also starts to reflect that side of her life. Case in point: she shared that she’s working on a Tagalog EP (she learning Tagalog with her daughter) and hopes to collaborate with other Filipino artists on it, though she added that fans will have to wait a while longer before they hear the finished product.
From performing in Filipino communities in the US to being an internationally recognized performer, Jessica has put in the work to get to where she is today. But her current success is also notable in how many Filipinos grew up watching her. Some of those fans are now adults with their own families and children, similar to where Jessica is in her life now.
“We’ve come so far, and I’ve gone through so much, so much in my career behind the scenes with producers and record labels. And no matter what, I can say that I never gave up,” she shares. “The 20 years that you guys have seen online of me starting AGT from 10 years old to now, being 30 years old and being the winner, and also doing it pregnant, I feel like my younger self would be very proud of the strength and determination I’ve shown.”
How Motherhood Has Changed Jessica
As excited as Jessica is about her concert, what makes the artist even prouder is the fact that she’s now a mother. She famously competed and won America’s Got Talent while months into her pregnancy. Since welcoming her daughter Eliana to the world in October 2025, motherhood has shifted the way Jessica sees her life.
“I felt like the Lord was giving me a chance to shift my identity from just being music to now just being Jessica, being a mother, being a wife, a friend, a sister. I feel like I really truly understand who I am, what I want, and I’m more confident as a woman, becoming a new mom. So, Elliana is just my biggest inspiration.”
Jessica’s perspective change wouldn’t be out of place for many new moms. Inasmuch as Jessica has been enjoying the moment, her daughter has become her top priority. “I would give everything up for my daughter,” she answered without hesitation on what she’s willing to give up for her child. “That song, Risk It All by Bruno Mars, when I sing that song and I sing it to her, I just wanna cry because I just feel that deep in my soul as I would literally give everything and anything to make sure that my daughter is happy and healthy.”
Even with everything Jessica has going on in her life and career, her baby girl remains her focus. That isn’t to say, though, that she’s going to stop doing music. Far from it. Ultimately, what guides Jessica these days is less about material success and more about using her platform as an artist, woman, and Filipino.
“I would love to continue to make music. I would love to continue to give my audience, my supporters, and my followers exactly what they want. They want the vocals. I’m ready to give the vocals, to give amazing shows, to collaborate with amazing artists such as Morissette, and even more. I just want to continue to do what I love and to impact people’s lives in any way that I can.”
As for Eliana, aside from being the daughter of a talented vocalist, Jessica hopes that she grows up to become an empowered woman. “I took home the crown because I believed in myself, even in the smallest amount. I just kicked myself in the butt, and I was like, let’s do this. So I hope those kinds of stories really inspire my daughter to be a strong woman and to be an inspiring woman to others. I know she’s gonna be a strong woman, and I really hope that she sees these things that I’ve gone through and takes those life lessons and puts them into her life too as well.”
Jessica Sanchez Live In Manila is presented by Wilbros Live. It will be held at the Araneta Coliseum on May 16. You can get tickets here.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Featured Image and Photos: JESSICA SANCHEZ (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Question
Jessica achieved international prominence once again by winning the grand title of America’s Got Talent Season 20. Her journey on the show began with a coveted Golden Buzzer during her audition and culminated in a historic victory that she remarkably achieved while nine months pregnant, reintroducing her powerful vocals to global audiences.
The concert serves as a major homecoming celebration following her recent television triumph, marking her return to the Philippine stage after a long absence. Happening at the Araneta Coliseum, the event allows Jessica to directly thank the Filipino people for their immense online voting support and celebrate her personal transition into a new chapter of life as a mother.
Jessica curated a personal wish list of legendary local performers who were all approved to join her as special guests. The star-studded lineup features Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, Darren Espanto, Morissette, James Reid, and Vice Ganda, creating an extraordinary collaborative experience for her fans.
The setlist acts as a musical narrative of Jessica’s 20-year career journey, tracking her evolution from a young competitor to an adult champion. Audiences can look forward to nostalgic throwbacks from her early television days, recent popular covers, and fresh original tracks from her newly released album Szn, which reflects the different emotional phases of her life.
As she continues to connect deeply with her roots, Jessica is actively working on a dedicated Tagalog EP, an effort supported by her personal journey of learning the language alongside her young daughter. She plans to use this upcoming project to collaborate closely with local artists, further infusing her signature global R&B style with distinct OPM elements.
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Jessica Sanchez Is Ready To Put On The Show Of Her Career
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