A returning contestant, a freestyle rap sensation that set the crowd alight, and a winner’s reveal that left viewers divided marked the explosive Season 20 finale of “America’s Got Talent” on Wednesday night.
The 20th season of “America’s Got Talent” reached its electrifying climax on Wednesday, September 24, as larger-than-life host Terry Crews led the nation through an emotionally charged finale.
Terry Crews hosts the Season 20 finale of “America’s Got Talent” in Los Angeles on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Broadcast live, the showdown saw the top five acts perform one last time with a staggering $1 million prize and the AGT crown hanging in the balance.
Light Wire, Jourdan Blue, Terry Crews, Leo High School Choir, Chris Turner, and Jessica Sanchez appear onstage during the Season 20 finale of “America’s Got Talent” on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
High Stakes and Heart-Stopping Drama
LightWire, the luminous dance-and-tech troupe whose glowing artistry had lit up the stage all season, faced the first heartbreak. Their elimination stunned fans, but one member managed to speak on behalf of the devastated group.
“It’s a dream. It’s a dream for me, for all this [sic] team. It’s a pleasure to be here. Thank you. Thank you, America,” he concluded.
LightWire appears onstage during the Season 20 finale of “America’s Got Talent” on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
A Choir’s Farewell to the Nation
The heartbreak deepened as the Leo High School Choir — the inspirational young singers led by passionate director Mrs. Hill — saw their journey cut short. They had touched millions with their harmonies and raw passion.
Leo High School Choir appears onstage during the Season 20 finale of “America’s Got Talent” in Los Angeles on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
With grace, Hill told 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.”
Terry Crews stands with the Leo High School Choir during the Season 20 finale of “America’s Got Talent” on September 23, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Even the famously hard-to-please Simon Cowell could not hide his admiration, telling them, “You are going to inspire so many people… You have an amazing talent. You have an amazing mentor.”
With the stage narrowing to just three acts — comedian Chris Turner, singer Jourdan Blue, and powerhouse vocalist Jessica Sanchez — the tension hit fever pitch.
Jourdan Blue, Chris Turner, and Jessica Sanchez await the final results during the Season 20 finale of “America’s Got Talent” on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Jourdan Blue’s Dream Ends in Third Place
The next blow fell on Blue, announced as the third-place finisher. His dignified farewell brought tears to the room. He reflected, “It’s been a long journey to get here, and it’s just meant everything. All glory to God.”
Jourdan Blue awaits the final results during the Season 20 finale of “America’s Got Talent” on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Judge Howie Mandel refused to let him leave empty-handed, declaring, “You leveled up your life and your career to the stratosphere. This is not the end… This is the beginning.”
That left just two contenders: Turner and Sanchez.
Chris Turner and Jessica Sanchez await the final results during the Season 20 finale of “America’s Got Talent” on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Chris Turner: A Rap Virtuoso on Fire
Turner, the quick-witted British-born, New York–based comedian, unleashed a freestyle set so electrifying it had the theater on its feet. Pulling real-life couple Bozoma Saint John and Keely Watson onstage, Turner turned their romance into a lightning-fast rap packed with intimate details, from flirty Instagram DMs to a third date in Ghana.
Chris Turner, Bozoma Saint John, and Keely Watson appear onstage during the Season 20 finale of “America’s Got Talent” on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
The crowd roared as he stitched their story into razor-sharp rhymes, reminding America why The Guardian once called him “a virtuoso… a hip-hop machine.”
Freestyle rapper Chris Turner arrives at the premiere of “Mad Apple” by Cirque du Soleil on May 26, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada | Source: Getty Images
His AGT glory was just the latest in a skyrocketing career. Turner had already gone viral with freestyle videos, performed with Cirque Du Soleil, premiered his comedy hour “Spontaneous” in 2025, and even made headlines after defeating ChatGPT in TED’s first Man vs. Machine rap battle.
Comedian and freestyle rapper Chris Turner performs during a media preview for “Mad Apple by Cirque du Soleil” on May 25, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada | Source: Getty Images
Before the nail-biting results were announced, Crews turned to the finalists for one last word. He asked Turner what victory would mean to him, and the finalist admitted, “It would mean that all the sacrifices [my family] made, all the support they gave me has got me here.”
Jessica Sanchez’s Spellbinding Return
Then came Sanchez — and her story gripped America. First appearing on the very first season of “America’s Got Talent” as a shy 10-year-old, she returned nearly two decades later to complete the journey she began as a child.
Jessica Sanchez performs during Season 1 of “America’s Got Talent,” which aired on June 21, 2006 | Source: Getty Images
Now 30, pregnant with her first daughter, and armed with powerhouse vocals, Sanchez delivered both artistry and a deeply personal narrative that made her one of the season’s most talked-about contestants.
Jessica Sanchez performs onstage during the Season 20 finale of “America’s Got Talent” in Los Angeles on September 23, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
During the finale, she performed “Golden Hour” by JVKE alongside aerialist Sirca Marea, blending soaring vocals and breathtaking visuals in what the show itself described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” performance.
A Career of Highs and Near Misses
Sanchez is no stranger to national fame. She shot to prominence in 2012 as the runner-up on “American Idol” Season 11, wowing with unforgettable renditions of Etta James and Whitney Houston.
Signing with 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, amassed more than 14 million YouTube views.
Jessica Sanchez and Ne-Yo perform onstage during FOX’s “American Idol” Season 12 Top 9 to 8 Live Elimination Show on March 21, 2013, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
After going independent, Sanchez found international acclaim, including two No. 1 singles and a No. 1 album in the Philippines. Her 2015 single “This Love” drew over one million views, while her holiday EP “Christmas with Jessica” was praised by Billboard.
Jessica Sanchez attends the OC Christmas Extravaganza Concert and Ball at Christ Cathedral on December 23, 2015, in Garden Grove, California | Source: Getty Images
Her return to AGT brought her full circle — from child performer in Season 1 to Season 20 champion. Before the votes were revealed, Sanchez reflected on her long journey, “This has been 20 years in the making for me.” Earlier this season, she confessed, “I wish I could tell my 10-year-old self, ‘here we are today, girl.'”
The audience sat in silence as Crews opened the envelope. After an agonizing pause, he thundered the result, “Jessica Sanchez!”
Terry Crews announces Jessica Sanchez as the winner of Season 20 during the “America’s Got Talent” finale in Los Angeles on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Through sobs, Sanchez managed, “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 shot at stardom.
Terry Crews congratulates Jessica Sanchez after announcing her as the winner of Season 20 during the “America’s Got Talent” finale in Los Angeles on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Outrage Explodes Online
But while Sanchez celebrated, the internet erupted in outrage. Across social media, furious fans claimed Turner had been robbed and accused the show of pandering to Sanchez’s pregnancy and past fame.
Jessica Sanchez reacts after being named the winner of Season 20 during the “America’s Got Talent” finale in Los Angeles on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
“Turner should have won; people just voted for Sanchez because she was in the first season and pregnant 🙄,” one viewer snapped.
Another raged, “Chris Turner should have won! So unique and a talent we have never seen! But we can just call the show America’s Got A Singer 😢😢.”
Jessica Sanchez poses with the winner’s plaque after being crowned Season 20 champion during the “America’s Got Talent” finale in Los Angeles on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
“Chris should have won over her.. feel this one was a little rigged… her being pregnant and have [sic] been on show [sic] before swayed it… singers need to go to a singing show… next time maybe go to the voice..” blasted another.
Jessica Sanchez poses with her winner’s certificate after being crowned Season 20 champion of “America’s Got Talent” in Los Angeles on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
The chorus of complaints grew, with another fan seething, “Show is so rigged. I guessed the winner the moment they mentioned she was on AGT before… 🙄🙄 and because she’s pregnant, it boosted her votes…”
Jessica Sanchez attends the red carpet after winning Season 20 of “America’s Got Talent” in Los Angeles on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
The chorus of frustration boiled over with others adding, “Should have been Chris!” and “I love Jessica but why!!! Chris Turner was the best.”
Still, for Sanchez, the win was a career-defining full-circle triumph. Crews closed the show with a final message of hope. “It could be you up here winning this time next year… Good night, America,” he remarked.
Howie Mandel, Simon Cowell, Mel B, Jessica Sanchez, Sofia Vergara, and Terry Crews pose together after the Season 20 finale of “America’s Got Talent” in Los Angeles on September 24, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Now in its landmark twentieth season, “America’s Got Talent” endures as one of TV’s most explosive spectacles—where glory, heartbreak, and controversy are always guaranteed.
