MANILA, Philippines — Fresh off her victory as the America’s Got Talent (AGT) Season 20 champion, Filipina-American powerhouse Jessica Sanchez revealed her plans to dive deeper into her Filipino heritage. During a homecoming press conference on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Sanchez shared details about her “top secret” Tagalog EP and her budding interest in the world of musical theater.
While Sanchez is currently promoting her latest album, Szn, she confirmed that a significant portion of her creative energy is now focused on a Tagalog-language project.
- Learning the Language: Sanchez shared that she is actively learning Tagalog alongside her daughter, Eliana, using flashcards and daily practice to improve her fluency.
- Creative Control: Unlike previous projects, Sanchez expressed a strong desire to be deeply involved in the songwriting and creative process for the EP.
- Collaborations: The singer teased potential collaborations with local OPM artists, specifically mentioning a wish to work with The Voice USA Season 26 winner Sofronio Vasquez.
- Release Details: While the official title and tracklist remain under wraps, she noted that the team is “working heavily” on it and asked fans to “wait just a little bit” for the official drop.
In a shift from her usual pop and R&B roots, Sanchez admitted she is curious about exploring musical theater.
- Vocal Versatility: Having performed theater standards in the past, Sanchez stated she doesn’t want to “put herself into a box” and is open to the technical challenges of the stage.
- Dream Roles: When asked for suggestions, she gravitated toward the emotional depth of Fantine from Les Misérables, specifically mentioning her interest in performing the iconic “I Dreamed a Dream.”
- Future Debuts: While no official casting has been announced, Sanchez noted that she is actively looking for the right musical to mark her theatrical debut.
The press conference served as a prelude to her massive homecoming concert scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
- Star-Studded Guest List: The concert will feature a “royal” lineup of Filipino talent, including Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, Morissette, Darren Espanto, James Reid, and Vice Ganda.
- Tagalog Setlist: Sanchez confirmed she will be performing Tagalog songs during the show, though she teased that fans will have to wait to see if any of those tracks are from the upcoming EP.
- ASEAN Summit: The singer also confirmed her upcoming performance at the ASEAN Summit later this month, following an invitation from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“I feel like I don’t want to put myself into a box because I’m a singer who just wants to sing different kinds of things. I’m very excited to embrace my Pinoy roots even further.” — Jessica Sanchez