American Idol's Jessica Sanchez announces pregnancy as Simon Cowell shares sweet reaction

Former American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez has announced that she's pregnant. The singer-songwriter shared the news in her latest audition for America's Got Talent (AGT), which aired earlier this week in the US.

Jessica, 29, returned to AGT this year after having previously been a semi-finalist on the first season of the NBC show, which began in 2006. She auditioned again for the latest season and got a golden buzzer from Sofia Vergara, 53.

Ahead of her performance for the judges and audience, Jessica updated them on her life since her first appearance. She shared: "I'm married now and I'm actually ... another surprising thing is ... I recently found out that I'm pregnant."

Simon Cowell, 65, who has an 11-year-old son, said: "What? Oh my god. Congratulations. This is amazing." After Jessica confirmed that it's her first child, he said: "Let me tell you - this is the best thing that can ever happen in your life ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever. I'm very happy for you."

Jessica has since announced the news on Instagram. This afternoon she shared a series of photos alongside a caption about expecting her first child with her husband Rickie Gallardo. She began by writing: "Our hearts are so full."

She continued in the post: "This is my first time sharing about the pregnancy, and it's been so hard keeping it quiet these past 5 months! Thank you all for the love, support, and sweet messages — it truly means the world. Most of all, thank You God for this beautiful blessing growing inside me."

The post included photos of Jessica showcasing her baby bump, with her seen beside her husband Rickie in some of them. It also featured a photo of an ultrasound scan and another included several positive pregnancy tests.

After first announcing her pregnancy on AGT, Jessica performed a cover of Benson Boone's Beautiful Things. She received a standing ovation from the judges before being met with praise from Simon, Mel B and Howie Mandel.

Sofia was the last of the judges to share her feedback. She described the performance as a "special moment" and ended up hitting the golden buzzer, which guarantees Jessica a place in the upcoming quarter-finals.

Sharing her thoughts, judge Sofia told her: "Something very special happened on this stage with you. It's so amazing that we're on the 20th anniversary, the 20th season, of AGT. You're here again after 20 years. You're pregnant. I mean ... you're so beautiful. You're so ready to do all this."

Earlier in the audition, Jessica had reflected on her return to AGT after first competing in the debut season when she was a child. She reached the semi-finals of the competition in 2006 but didn't progress through to the grand finals.

Six years after appearing on the show, Jessica competed on American Idol in 2012, though Simon had already left the judging panel by then. She reached the final of the Fox show and placed as runner-up behind winner Phillip Phillips.

Jessica, who has released music since then, shared with the judges on AGT that she had "fell out of love" with music over the years. She said in her latest audition: "Throughout the years, I kind of fell out of love with music because I was really young and I was so swayed by what everybody wanted me to be, who they wanted me to be. And so y'know, maybe it took me 20 years but I know exactly who I am. I know exactly what I want. I'm excited to be back."

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