Jessica Sanchez draws praise for emotional performance in AGT finale

September 25 ------ Jessica Sanchez delivered what she considers her most emotional performance for her final time onstage while competing on America's Got Talent.

Sanchez, who sang her version of the Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars hit song “Die with a Smile,” was one of the ten finalists who gave their all in the Season 20 finale of the show. "Just after the song ended, I looked out and saw the judges stand up. I saw the audience stand up, cheering, and it just brought me back to season one when I got rejected and I got eliminated, and I was like, wow, I've come so far, and here I am, nine months pregnant with my baby girl," Sanchez said.

Sanchez revealed that she could feel her baby move just as she was about to go on stage. "She was moving, but then when I was singing, she kind of stood still. So I was like, okay, she's chilling out this time," Sanchez said.

For Sanchéz's husband, Rickie Gallardo, no matter the result, Jessica is already a winner. "Her heart, humility, and it's not just saying that because she's here. She's super humble. She has a pure heart, and I feel like that's why people get captivated by her voice, because they can feel that. I hold back tears because I don't want to look like a baby on camera, but I'm super proud," Gallardo said.

One of Jessica's competitors in the finals was Team Recycled, the dance group led by Germany-based Filipino choreographer Jeff Jimenez. Jimenez compared his feelings as the group's leader to the sacrifices made by his immigrant parents. "Alam mo naalala ko ang mommy, yung mommy ko she sacrificed a lot para sa mga anak niya. Dun ko nakuha yon, i-sa-sakripisyo ko myself para sa people I love. So proud na proud ako because it's an asset that I really carry in my heart."

Source: news.abs-cbn.com