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A returning contestant, a freestyle rap sensation who ignited the crowd, and a winner’s announcement that divided viewers marked the explosive Season 20 finale of America’s Got Talent on Wednesday night. The 20th season of America’s Got Talent reached its thrilling climax on Wednesday, September 24, as the charismatic host Terry Crews guided the nation through an emotionally charged finale. Broadcast live, the event featured the top five acts performing one last time, with a staggering $1 million prize and the AGT crown at stake.

High Stakes and Heart-Stopping Drama. LightWire, the glowing dance-and-technology troupe whose luminous performances had dazzled audiences all season, faced the first heartbreak. Their elimination shocked fans, but one member spoke on behalf of the group: “It’s a dream. It’s a dream for me, for all of this team. It’s a pleasure to be here. Thank you. Thank you, America,” he said. A Choir’s Farewell to the Nation. The disappointment deepened as the Leo High School Choir — inspirational young singers led by the passionate director Mrs. Hill — saw their journey end. They had touched millions with their harmonies and heartfelt performances. With grace, Hill addressed the audience: “We’re so grateful for this opportunity, and we want to say thank you to America. Thank you to AGT. Thank you to every educator, every parent.”

Even Simon Cowell, known for his tough critiques, expressed admiration: “You are going to inspire so many people… You have amazing talent. You have an amazing mentor.”

The Final Three: Comedy, Song, and Powerhouse Vocals

With the stage narrowed to three acts — comedian Chris Turner, singer Jourdan Blue, and powerhouse vocalist Jessica Sanchez — the tension peaked.

Jourdan Blue’s Dream Ends in Third Place

Jourdan Blue was announced as the third-place finisher. His heartfelt farewell moved many to tears. He reflected, “It’s been a long journey to get here, and it’s just meant everything. All glory to God.” Judge Howie Mandel refused to let him leave empty-handed, saying, “You leveled up your life and your career to the stratosphere. This is not the end… This is the beginning.”

The Final Two: Turner and Sanchez

Chris Turner: A Rap Virtuoso on Fire
Turner, a quick-witted British-born comedian based in New York, delivered an electrifying freestyle rap that brought the audience to their feet. Inviting real-life couple Bozoma Saint John and Keely Watson onstage, Turner crafted a lightning-fast rap about their romance — from flirty Instagram messages to a memorable third date in Ghana. The crowd roared as he wove their story into razor-sharp rhymes, reminding America why The Guardian once called him “a virtuoso… a hip-hop machine.”

Turner’s AGT success added to his skyrocketing career. He had already gone viral with freestyle videos, performed with Cirque Du Soleil, premiered his comedy hour Spontaneous in 2025, and made headlines after defeating ChatGPT in TED’s first Man vs. Machine rap battle. Before the final results, host Terry Crews asked Turner what winning would mean to him. Turner answered, “It would mean that all the sacrifices my family made, all the support they gave me, has brought me here.”

Jessica Sanchez’s Spellbinding Return
Jessica Sanchez’s story captured the nation’s heart. First appearing as a shy 10-year-old on the very first season of America’s Got Talent, she returned nearly two decades later to complete the journey she began as a child. Now 30 years old, pregnant with her first daughter, and equipped with powerful vocals, Sanchez delivered a breathtaking performance.

During the finale, she sang “Golden Hour” by JVKE alongside aerialist Sirca Marea, combining soaring vocals with stunning visuals in what the show called a “once-in-a-lifetime” performance.

A Career of Highs and Near Misses

Sanchez is no stranger to national fame. She gained prominence in 2012 as the runner-up on American Idol Season 11, impressing with unforgettable performances of Etta James and Whitney Houston songs. Signed to Interscope Records, she released her debut album Me, You & the Music, which debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard Pop Charts. Her single “Tonight,” featuring Ne-Yo, earned over 14 million views on YouTube. Going independent, Sanchez achieved international success, including two No. 1 singles and a No. 1 album in the Philippines. Her 2015 single “This Love” garnered over one million views, and her holiday EP Christmas with Jessica was praised by Billboard.

Returning to AGT brought Sanchez full circle — from child performer in Season 1 to Season 20 champion. Before the votes were revealed, she reflected, “This has been 20 years in the making for me.” Earlier in the season, she said, “I wish I could tell my 10-year-old self, ‘Here we are today, girl.’”

The Winner Is Announced

The audience held its breath as Crews opened the envelope. After a tense pause, he announced, “Jessica Sanchez!” Overwhelmed with emotion, Sanchez said through tears, “I’m sorry. I’m really emotional. This is amazing. Thank you so much, America.” Confetti rained down as she stood center stage, crowned Season 20 champion nearly two decades after her first attempt at stardom.

Online Outrage Erupts

While Sanchez celebrated, social media exploded with outrage. Many fans claimed Turner was robbed and accused the show of favoring Sanchez due to her pregnancy and past fame. “Turner should have won; people just voted for Sanchez because she was on the first season and is pregnant,” one viewer tweeted. Another wrote, “Chris Turner should have won! Such a unique talent we’ve never seen! But we can just call the show America’s Got a Singer now.”

Others added, “Chris should have won over her… feels rigged… her being pregnant and on the show before swayed votes… singers need to go to a singing show like The Voice.” The backlash continued with comments like, “Show is rigged. I guessed the winner as soon as they said she was on AGT before… and because she’s pregnant, it boosted her votes.” Despite the controversy, many praised Sanchez, but fans still echoed, “Should have been Chris!” and “I love Jessica but why? Chris Turner was the best.”

A Career-Defining Triumph

For Sanchez, the win was a defining moment that completed a long journey. Crews closed the show with a message of hope: “It could be you up here winning this time next year… Good night, America.” Now in its landmark 20th season, America’s Got Talent remains one of television’s most thrilling spectacles — where glory, heartbreak, and controversy are always part of the show.