Jessica Sanchez Returns with Confidence: "I Know Who I Am"

SAN DIEGO – Jessica Sanchez has now become an adult.

She was just 10 years old during her appearance on the first season of "America's Got Talent" in 2006 and 16 when she finished runner-up on "American Idol" in 2012. Now 29, this talented woman from San Diego is married and expecting her first baby. Most significantly, after stepping back from public life following the commercial underperformance of her 2013 debut album, "Me, You & The Music," she no longer views singing as her primary identity.

Previously, music was just a job. Now, I'm in a position where music feels like a privilege," said Sanchez, who made her return appearance on "America’s Got Talent" during Tuesday night's episode, marking 20 years since she first appeared on the ABC television series. "It's not about feeling obligated—'I have to do this.' Instead, it's more like 'I get to do this.'

This understanding didn't arrive swiftly or without difficulty.

She wasn't even enrolled at a traditional high school nor attending classes for four hours daily as a homeschooled student when she landed a deal with a big record label. By age 16, Sanchez hadn’t fully formed her musical or personal sense of self. Soon after, she discovered just how tough it is to satisfy the pressures and standards of an entertainment business that often moves on from young artists who aren't able to make an immediate commercial impact within the ever-changing landscape of pop culture.

Sanchez's performance for President Barack Obama at the White House, during a PBS National Memorial Day Concert broadcast, and at the Democratic National Convention in both 2012 and 2016 stood out as remarkable achievements. Additionally, her roles on the popular television show "Glee" and her representation by the same Creative Artists Agency manager—known for managing successful concerts featuring Hannah Montana and aiding young Kanye West’s rise to fame—were also notable.

However, by 2014, just over a year following the release of her first album, Sanchez had separated from her record company, Interscope Records. Her connection with CAA also ended soon after. Although she went on to create and publish several solo tracks as well as collaborate vocally with different musicians, only one of her songs, "Stronger Together" from 2016, achieved recognition on the national sales rankings.

Similar to other talented yet untapped young vocalists prior to her, the harder Sanchez attempted to carve out a place and develop her own artistic identity, the more she felt discouraged and disheartened.

Because I was so young, I somewhat got lost in the business and gradually lost my passion for music," she mentioned, talking from Houston, where she currently resides with her husband, Rickie Gallardo, whom she has been married to for four years. "It seemed like music turned into a job where I had certain expectations to fulfill as a woman in the industry—and specifically as a Filipina woman in the industry—along with specific criteria I needed to satisfy. There’s a lot of rejection involved. And as a woman, I believe it can be slightly more challenging.

I found myself slipping into self-doubt and needed to pause and rediscover my true identity. I wasn't interested in compromising my values or pretending to be someone else. Instead, I focused on my family and spiritual beliefs. I returned to San Diego after living in Los Angeles, and later relocated to Irvine, which has a significant Asian community. Perhaps I'm not quite what record companies or the entertainment world expect. I'm not overly cheerful or outspoken; I tend to be reserved and gentle, but I believe that's perfectly fine... I don't need everyone's validation.

Securing widespread support was exactly what Sanchez aimed for during her appearance on "America’s Got Talent" in 2006. At only 10 years old, she had enormous aspirations.

I participated in numerous singing contests in San Diego prior to appearing on 'AGT,'" she mentioned, referencing the abbreviation for "America's Got Talent." "There were countless incredible talents featured on the show, and it truly inspired me. I found myself thinking: 'Wow, I really want to come out victorious!' That's when my competitiveness kicked in—positively, not negatively. I realized: 'I possess this motivation and enthusiasm, and I'm determined to achieve this; I'll put everything I've got into it.'

Sanchez giggled.

I was an overly confident young girl determined to prove myself. I was also slightly anxious since it was the largest stage I had ever performed on. It felt like this experience expanded my ambitions into a broader vision.

Her aspirations expanded further in 2012 as she almost reached the pinnacle during the 11th season of "American Idol." She captivated both the judges and viewers with her strong vocals, adaptability, and precise delivery, yet finished in second place behind Phillip Phillips.

Now, 13 years later, Sanchez feels more settled than she ever could as a teenager—particularly following her sudden rise to fame on "Idol." Her preferred music now aligns with her stronger commitment to her Christian beliefs.

When I'm driving to places or tidying up at home, I usually play worship music," Sanchez stated. "That's what's on my playlist all day long, and I find myself singing along while giving thanks to God in my kitchen and in the car.

Her comeback on "America’s Got Talent" twenty years since first appearing on the program marks a complete circle for this small-but-powerful voice, who showcased remarkable development as an artist during her performance on Tuesday's episode. (The Union-Tribune was granted access to watch video from her future appearance but was instructed not to reveal which song she will perform—or whether she earned the judges' approval to advance to the next stage.)

I'm entirely changed now," Sanchez stated. "I've evolved, become more responsible, and understand who I am both as an artist and a young woman. Thanks to the years of experience I've gained, it's simpler for me to determine where I want to go within a song, and my voice and style have developed. Therefore, I'm thrilled to approach this familiar task in a completely new manner. I've done it before, yet it seems fresh again.

Participating in "American Idol" in 2012 offered Sanchez a fresh opportunity. During one episode, she was captured arriving via helicopter at an empty Petco Park. In another instance, she received enthusiastic welcomes from fans on the USS Midway and at Eastlake High School, which served as her middle school.

Frankly, it's still hard to believe," Sanchez stated. "When I watch the videos of everything that happened, I was so young at the time that I couldn't really process it... Now, it doesn't seem like my sense of self will be affected. I understand who I am, and music is simply one aspect of my path.

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("America's Got Talent," starring Jessica Sanchez, broadcasts at 8 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.)

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