About Jessica Sanchez

Jessica Elizabeth Sanchez (born August 4, 1995 in Chula Vista, California) is an American singer from San Diego, California. She was a runner-up for the eleventh season of American Idol (2012). Before she auditioned in American Idol, she also competed in the first season of America's Got Talent in 2006. Sanchez was born to Gilbert and Editha Sanchez. Her father is Mexican American and originally from Texas; her mother is Filipina and originally hailed from Bataan province in the Philippines. The Change Nothing Songfacts says that she first came to the attention of many when at the age of 10, she got a standing ovation for performing Aretha Franklin 's Respect on Showtown at the Apollo. The following year Sanchez appeared in the inaugural season of America's Got Talent. As each judge was allowed a "wild card," R&B singer Brandy Norwood, used hers on Jessica. Brandy commented that Jessica has shown her "that singing is the best thing ever." Sanchez was one of the singers in Lisa Lavie's collaboration video "We Are the World 25 for Haiti (YouTube Edition)" for charity relief for victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, along with previous American Idol finalist Thia Megia. The video's participants were collectively recognized as "Persons of the Week" on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer on Friday, March 19, 2010.