There’s something particularly moving about watching someone return to a stage they first stood on nearly two decades earlier — and win. That’s exactly what happened in Season 20 of America’s Got Talent, when Jessica Sanchez, who first auditioned in 2006, took the crown in September 2025.

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Premiere date: May 27, 2025 ·
Winner: Jessica Sanchez ·
Prize: $1 million + Las Vegas show ·
Network: NBC

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Season 20 premiered on NBC on May 27, 2025 (Wikipedia)
  • Jessica Sanchez won the season in the finale on September 24, 2025 (E! News)
  • The winner receives $1 million and a Las Vegas headlining show (E! News)
  • The show airs on NBC (Deadline)
2What’s unclear
  • Heidi Klum’s reason for departing the judging panel hasn’t been officially stated
  • Courtney Hadwin’s current status is not publicly documented
  • The exact prize money for the runner-up in Season 20 hasn’t been confirmed
3Timeline signal
  • May 27, 2025 — Season 20 premieres (Wikipedia)
  • September 24, 2025 — Finale; Jessica Sanchez is named winner (People)
4What’s next
  • Jessica Sanchez is expected to fulfill her winner’s prize package, though the $1 million may be paid as an annuity (E! News)
  • Her public appearances and music career are ongoing, with post-win interviews already published (People)

These verified details anchor the report that follows.

Key facts at a glance
Detail Value
Season number 20 (Wikipedia)
Premiere date May 27, 2025 (Wikipedia)
Winner Jessica Sanchez (E! News)
Prize $1 million + Las Vegas residency (E! News)
Broadcaster NBC (Deadline)

Will America’s Got Talent be on in 2025?

Yes — and it already aired. NBC confirmed that Season 20 of America’s Got Talent premiered on May 27, 2025, with new episodes rolling out through the summer (Wikipedia’s season overview). The 20th season marked a milestone for the franchise, bringing back familiar faces on the judging panel.

Season 20 renewal announcement

  • NBC officially renewed America’s Got Talent for a 20th season ahead of the 2024–2025 broadcast year (Deadline (industry trade publication)).
  • The network confirmed the return of host Terry Crews and judges Simon Cowell, Mel B, Sofía Vergara, and Howie Mandel (Deadline).

Premiere date and episode schedule

  • Season 20 launched on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 (Wikipedia).
  • Episodes were broadcast weekly through September, culminating in the live finale on September 24, 2025 (E! News (entertainment news outlet)).

The implication: For viewers who missed it, episodes remain available on NBC’s streaming platform Peacock, though the specific streaming rights for Season 20 haven’t been detailed separately.

Who won the America’s Got Talent in 2025?

Jessica Sanchez, a singer who first auditioned on the show during Season 1 way back in 2006, was crowned the winner of Season 20 during the live finale on September 24, 2025 (People (celebrity and entertainment magazine)).

Jessica Sanchez’s winning performance

  • Sanchez performed “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars during the finale, a choice that resonated with both the judges and the audience (People).
  • She was visibly pregnant at the time of her win, adding an emotional layer to the victory (People).
  • Runner-up Chris Turner finished second in the final rankings (Deadline).

Reaction from judges and audience

  • Terry Crews announced the winner live, with the judges offering standing ovations (NBC DFW (local NBC affiliate)).
  • Simon Cowell praised Sanchez’s growth from her first audition to her triumphant return (People).
The catch

Jessica Sanchez’s win is remarkable not just for the prize, but because she returned to the show 19 years after her first audition — one of the longest gaps between first appearance and victory in AGT history (People).

How much did the winner of America’s Got Talent 2025 get?

The standard AGT grand prize applies: $1 million and a headlining show in Las Vegas (E! News). But the payout structure is worth a closer look.

Standard AGT prize package

  • The $1 million prize is described on-air as a lump sum, but winners typically receive it as an annuity paid over many years — or can opt for a smaller immediate cash payout (E! News).
  • The Las Vegas headlining show is a separate contractual obligation arranged by the show’s producers (E! News).

Difference between winner and runner-up prizes

  • Second-place finisher Chris Turner did not receive the $1 million prize (Deadline).
  • The exact compensation for the runner-up in Season 20 has not been officially disclosed.
What to watch

The $1 million figure is accurate, but the annuity structure means Sanchez may receive far less upfront. For tax purposes, the actual value after taxes in the U.S. could be around $500,000 or less if the annuity option is chosen (E! News).

The pattern: Prize details are standard for recent AGT seasons, but the annuity nuance is frequently overlooked in casual reporting.

What channel is America’s Got Talent on in 2025?

Season 20 aired exclusively on NBC (Deadline). For viewers who prefer streaming, episodes were made available on Peacock the day after broadcast, though a Peacock subscription is required (Wikipedia).

Broadcast channel and streaming options

  • NBC (check local listings for the channel number in your area).
  • Peacock (streaming on-demand, often with a next-day delay).

How to watch live or on-demand

  • Live viewing: tune in to NBC at the local air time (typically 8/7c on Tuesdays, though the schedule may vary by market) (TV Guide (TV listings authority)).
  • On-demand: full episodes are available on Peacock with a subscription.

The implication: NBC remains the exclusive home for AGT, with Peacock serving as the official streaming archive for catch-up viewing.

What Is ‘AGT’ Season 20 Winner Jessica Sanchez Doing Now?

Since winning, Jessica Sanchez has stayed in the public eye, balancing her music career with the excitement of starting a family.

Post-win career updates

  • Sanchez gave an exclusive interview to People magazine shortly after her win, in which she discussed returning to the show while pregnant and the surreal feeling of taking the title 19 years after her first audition (People).
  • She has not announced a specific Las Vegas show date, but the prize package includes a headlining residency that producers will coordinate in the coming months (E! News).

Music releases and performances

  • No new single releases have been announced as of late 2025, but Sanchez is expected to leverage the AGT platform to launch new music, much like previous winners (America’s Got Talent Wiki (fandom community)).
  • Her finale performance of “Die With a Smile” became a trending topic on social media, suggesting strong fan interest in her future releases (YouTube recap video).
Why this matters

Jessica Sanchez’s story is unique because she represents a rare second-chance narrative in reality TV. If she capitalizes on the momentum, she could become one of the most commercially successful winners in recent AGT history (People).

Timeline of America’s Got Talent Season 20

  • May 27, 2025 — Season 20 premiere on NBC (Wikipedia)
  • Summer 2025 — Audition episodes and live shows air weekly (TV Guide)
  • September 24, 2025 — Season 20 finale; Jessica Sanchez wins (E! News)

The pattern: Season 20 followed the classic AGT format — a spring premiere, summer auditions, and a fall finale. Future seasons are expected to follow a similar calendar.

What’s confirmed — and what isn’t

Confirmed facts

  • Season 20 premiered on NBC on May 27, 2025 (Wikipedia)
  • Jessica Sanchez won the season (E! News)
  • Winner prize is $1 million + Las Vegas show (E! News)
  • AGT airs on NBC (Deadline)

What remains unclear

  • Heidi Klum’s exact reason for leaving the show (not officially confirmed)
  • Courtney Hadwin’s current activities (no recent public updates)
  • Runner-up prize amount for Season 20 (not officially disclosed)

“The $1 million prize was described on air during the finale, but the payout may be structured as an annuity or a cash option.”

— E! News (entertainment news outlet)

“Jessica Sanchez returned to the AGT stage 19 years after her first audition, winning the season while heavily pregnant.”

— People (celebrity and entertainment magazine)

For fans eager to follow Jessica Sanchez’s journey, the next few months will be crucial as she steps into the Las Vegas spotlight and continues her music career. NBC faces a clear choice: leverage this heartwarming second-chance story to boost next season’s ratings, or risk letting the momentum fade.

Additional sources

youtube.com, facebook.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, facebook.com

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Frequently asked questions

Why did Heidi Klum leave AGT?

The network has not issued an official statement on Heidi Klum’s departure. Her exit was first noted in the Season 20 judge lineup, but no specific reason has been confirmed.

Do Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell get along?

Publicly, both judges have maintained a professional rapport. There have been no reports of significant conflict during Season 20 production (Deadline).

What actually happened to Courtney Hadwin?

Courtney Hadwin, who gained fame as a finalist in 2018, has not released new material or made public appearances in recent years. Her current status is unclear.

Does 2nd place win any money on AGT?

The official prize for second place in Season 20 has not been disclosed. In past seasons, runners-up typically receive a smaller cash prize or performance opportunities, but amounts vary.

When did America’s Got Talent season 20 premiere?

Season 20 premiered on NBC on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 (Wikipedia).