She was the runner-up on the eleventh season of the reality singing show, American Idol and is currently signed to Interscope Records. Prior to appearing on American Idol, Sanchez competed in the first season of America's Got Talent at the age of 11.
Sanchez was born in Chula Vista, California on August 4, 1995 to parents, Editha (née Bugay) and Gilbert Sanchez. She was raised in Eastlake, Chula Vista, along with two younger brothers. As a result of Jessica's post-Idol success, in October, 2012 the Sanchez family moved to Los Angeles, California to allow Jessica to live closer to the entertainment industry there.
Her father, a Mexican American, originally from Texas, is a US Navy veteran who fought in the Iraq War, served in Afghanistan, and was recently deployed to Singapore. Her mother is a Filipino from Samal, Bataan in the Philippines. Her maternal grandfather, Eddie Bugay, is a retired US Navy sailor. Inspired by her devout Roman Catholic grandmother, she always carries a rosary, and prays quietly before going on stage.
She is a former student of Eastlake Middle School in Chula Vista. Back in her eighth grade, her favorite subjects were science, physical education, and choir. Her teacher remembers Sanchez as a humble girl, for when word spread at school that she sang the national anthem at a San Diego Chargers home game, she did not brag and preferred to stay in the background. She was selected for full scholarship training at the Theater of Arts in Hollywood and is currently a homeschooled high school student in 12th grade.
