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."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Alisha Lehmann loses title of ‘world's most beautiful footballer' as stunning pics of Sweden's Alice Sondergaard emerge
ALISHA LEHMANN has lost the title of being the "world's most beautiful footballer". The Swiss ace had a huge following of 17million followers on Instagram. 12 Alisha Lehmann has been unseated as the world's most beautiful footballer Credit: Reuters 12 Fans have fallen head over heels for Alice Sondergaard Credit: INSTAGRAM @alicesondergaard 12 She has recently joined Geona Credit: INSTAGRAM @genoacfcwomen 12 She already has over 50,000 followers Credit: INSTAGRAM @alicesondergaard Lehmann, 26, was often hailed by fans for her stunning looks while on the pitch. However, a new star has taken her mantle as fans have fallen for Swedish striker Alice Sondergaard. The star is already making waves in the footballing world, having signed for Italian outfit Genoa. Sondergaard, 22, has already represented Sweden as she received her first call-up when she was just 15. However, she did not make the cut for Peter Gerhardsson's final squad for the Euros this summer. She will now be hoping to help Geona remain in Serie A Women's after the team earned promotion to Italy's top-flight for the first time in their history. She has signed a contract with the Liguria club that will run until 2027. Genoa announced her signing on Instagram with a selection of pictures of Sondergaard wearing the club shirt. And fans were left besotted by her dazzling beauty as they flooded the comment section. One posted: "It's official, the most beautiful footballer alive." Alisha Lehmann poses with an ALIEN in bizarre NASA-themed adidas shoot alongside Juventus star boyfriend Douglas Luiz A second wrote: "Always been a Genoa fan." A third commented: "Beautiful and talented." A fourth said: "All of a sudden I am a Genoa fan." Another added: "She is beautiful damn." Sondergaard already boasts 58.8k followers on Instagram, where she regularly posts action snaps and updates from outside of football. 12 Sondergaard stunned in this black dress Credit: INSTAGRAM @alicesondergaard 12 She has encouraged people to start supporting Genoa Credit: INSTAGRAM @alicesondergaard 12 She will face Lehmann this season on the pitch Credit: INSTAGRAM @alicesondergaard 12 She previously played for Bologna, Hellas Verona and Sampdoria Credit: INSTAGRAM @alicesondergaard When not on the pitch, she can be found wearing stunning outfits and enjoying the weather. She has also played for both Sampdoria and Hellas Verona during her time in Italy. Her first club was BK Hacken FF in her homeland of Sweden. Sondergaard and Geona will start their journey in Serie A against AC Milan. She will not have to wait long to face Lehmann on the pitch as Genoa will take on Juventus on November 11 in their sixth game of the season. 12 Sondergaard has signed a contract with Bologna until 2027 Credit: INSTAGRAM @genoacfcwomen 12 She will want to help the club stay in Serie A Women's Credit: INSTAGRAM @genoacfcwomen 12 She plays as a forward Credit: INSTAGRAM @genoacfcwomen
Daily Mirror
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside England captain Leah Williamson's sweet summer holiday with Miss USA 'girlfriend'
Leah Williamson - captain of the England team and player for Arsenal - jetted off for a sweet summer holiday with rumoured girlfriend Elle Smith The Lionesses are primed to take on Spain in the UEFA Women's Euro Final 2025 - with captain Leah Williamson, 28, charged with leading her team to try and defeat the world champs. The final will take place in Basel, Switzerland, and will see the Lionesses defend their massive Euro 2022 win. With the last two games the England team played in this tournament featuring some dramatic, last-minute wins, the stakes couldn't be higher for UK football fans - and the final is likely to keep pulses racing. England boss Sarina Wiegman's huge personal sacrifice for family in UK Lioness super-sub Michelle Agyemang gears up for England games by playing piano Before taking on the major challenge of the tournament, captain Leah Williamson made sure to take some much-needed rest and relaxation with a holiday in Spain - ensuring she was fully charged up and ready to go for the professional feat. Leah went on the trip with former Miss USA Elle Smith, 27, who has long been rumoured to be the England captain's girlfriend. The model joined Leah - who posted a series of gorgeous snaps of her holiday on Instagram - for the break in the stunning Spanish island of Majorca. While they were there, the pair and pals enjoyed the sunshine, went for dinners, lounged on yachts, listened to a piano player by candlelight, and gave paddle boarding a go. Leah also included a video of herself undertaking some drills while she was away, clearly keen to keep up with her fitness regime ahead of the major tournament. They looked to have had a great time during their trip, as Elle commented on the post, "same time next year? x" and Leah quickly replied, "yes please." Elle, who previously worked as a journalist for WHAS-TV in Kentucky, is signed to the iconic agency Wilhelmina Models, and after winning the beauty pageant Miss Kentucky in 2021, she went on to win the overall Miss USA competition the same year - and came in the top 10 for Miss Universe shortly after. Earlier this year, Elle posted a sweet birthday tribute to Leah on her own Instagram page, of the pair chilling out on a sea float in the sunshine, and captioning it "Happy birthday my love x". Leah replied to the post with a series of emojis, including one of a blushing face hiding its smile - and a series of white hearts. Elle's page was quickly flooded with support, with several people noting that the birthday post seemed like something of a relationship "hard launch". When Leah, playing for Arsenal, won the Women's Champions League back in May, Elle quickly posted her support of the football player, sharing a series of snaps. In one, Leah sat on Elle's lap and showed off her medal, and in another, Elle held the trophy while Leah bit her medal, and the pair both beamed.
Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Hilarious footage shows jacked-up 'gym bros' trying out new form of exercise popular with women - and being instantly humbled
They may be able to pump iron and flex their muscles, but so-called 'gym bros' have revealed they're struggling with a particular form of exercise they thought would be easy. Indeed, these mega-athletes - who spend hours each week working out - seem to fold like a pack of cards when it comes to Pilates. Hilarious videos on social media sites including TikTok and Instagram have captured sculpted men from around the world being 'humbled' by the low impact exercise, which is practiced to improve overall physical strength, posture, and flexibility. While many bodybuilders can deadlift a couple of hundred kilograms and chin up over double their weight, these hilarious clips show them struggling to manoeuvre their own bodyweight. Reformer Pilates - conducted on a platform with a sliding carriage, adjustable straps and a foot bar that varies in height - proves even trickier, with many of the 'bros' unable to make it to the end of a session. One chiseled gym goer invited his followers along to watch him try out Pilates for the first time, after which he said the experience left him 'humbled'. British digital creator and fitness enthusiast Marino Katsouris attended a Pilates class with his girlfriend but soon struggled to keep up with her. 'Pilates is no joke,' he captioned the TikTok video. 'I've been lifting heavy weights four to six days a week for the last 12 years but this absolutely HUMBLED ME'. In the video, he slid one one leg backwards and forwards in a lunge motion while lifting two dumbbells before collapsing to the floor. Elsewhere in the clip, his sizeable toned thighs were shaking as they tried valiantly to cling to a blue ball wedged between them. By the end of the video the class had become too much for him to bear and he was seen clinging to his thighs in pain. Another video showed 'bodybuilders' and 'gym bros' at DRYP in Dubai where they attempted to try out a Reformer Pilates class. Despite the group of men looking lean and fit, closeups revealed one man clenching his teeth in pain as he struggled to work the reformer machines. One attendee was seen shaking as he attempted to balance his hunky body on a thin foot bar and moving platforms. As the class continued, shouts of 'no way' 'that's crazy!' and 'you don't have to do this!' could be heard from the stressed out gym bros around the room. The creative director of the class, Jessica Casalegno, claimed some of her male students also broke down in tears and dared anyone who thought Pilates was 'easy' to try one of her classes. 'The amount of dirty looks and groans I got,' she wrote under the video. 'I promise that they actually loved it, despite being extremely challenged. If anyone tells you "Pilates is easy" it's only because they haven't found the right teacher yet (and clearly haven't done Pilates with me yet). 'Watch until the end for some sweat puddles and sound on loud to hear men cry,' she joked. Australian weightlifter Jordan Anderson documented his experience with Pilates in a post on TikTok, which he captioned 'POV [point of view] a male tries Pilates'. Jordan shared a video of himself looking heavily fatigued and drenched in sweat despite wearing a black vest and miniscule shorts. The short clip showed him attempting side lunges and hip thrusts using only dumbbells, but in between intervals he was seen seated as he seemingly tried to catch his breath. Meanwhile a number of women in the same Pilates class could be seen completing the same moves with ease, while one of them even smiled. Elsewhere in Australia, another group of gym bros could barely make it through a session of side-lying lunges and pulses. The group of tradesmen attended a reformer Pilates class at NRG Pilates in Canberra, where much of the instructions confined them to a wooden machine that contained pulleys with ropes and straps. In a post capturing the class, a few red faces gave away how stressful they found found it, meanwhile one man totally abandoned the exercise and instead cowered on his side. In a hilarious twist, two unnamed men grabbed their glutes while wincing in pain and appeared desperate for the session to come to an end. And just as the female instructor exclaimed 'We did it gents! Take your legs out of your foot straps!' a chorus of 'phew!' and sighs of relief could be heard coming from around the room. On the Reddit thread r/Pilates, people have debated the real reason gym bros find it so hard to deal with Pilates. One man sought a debate on why 'men seem to struggle much more with Pilates than women', adding that the 'most muscular' guys 'seem to be sweating the most, shaking the most, and sometimes even turning red'. He continued: 'So exactly what explains this? These are guys who work out every day, they're pretty strong, large muscles. 'I am assuming that despite hypertrophying and targeting the big muscles that can do a lot of work, a lot of conventional exercises don't target the stabilizing and intrinsic muscles like Pilates does? 'And these guys are strong, but it's also a lot of extra weight for them to handle compared to women who are smaller'. The poster then questioned if women were perceivably better at Pilates due to their 'centre of mass' being in their hips and core, while men were most likely to harbour most of their strength in their upper bodies. 'I've seen lean women who don't even seem like they work out that much seem to do certain exercises easily such as the short box series, the hundred, and footwork while the big guys struggle through them' he added. 'My female coworkers seem to do things much easier than me on certain exercises, especially the short box series.' Agreeing, one man with self proclaimed 'broad shoulders' said doing Pilates made him feel like 'a weeble wobble just rolling around'. '[I feel] too heavy' he continued. 'Feel like I am always going to roll off the box'. One expert disagreed that successful Pilates was down to gender, but rather the type of training one was accustomed to. They wrote: 'It really depends, I have worked with a lot of male patients who range in athleticism, the body builders struggled with focusing on mobility over strength, but still performed well isolating muscle engagement. 'I've also worked with male gymnasts who have some of the most beautiful form I've ever worked with - some of my favorite and most challenging clients! I've also worked with a lot of women who have found themselves happily challenged as well! It totally depends. 'If you have only ever focused on "strength" building (like weightlifting), you will be challenged with Pilates! Regardless of gender'. Elsewhere on Reddit, one user shared a post reacting to the viral video of 'buff' guys 'struggling' with a Pilates class in Dubai. Responding to the video, one person explained that Pilates 'is no f***ing joke'. They continued: 'These fellas are not used to these movements/the different core strength required'. Someone else wrote: 'Pilates focuses on very different muscle groups than bodybuilders. It also has a focus on precision and control. Body builders can brute force through things (quick snap movements), but Pilates requires like exact 90 degree movements and a slow sustained control that rigid muscles are too stiff for'. Another person explained that 'gym bros' often carried a lot of weight on their bodies and so were perhaps too bulky to do Pilates with ease. 'These dudes are carrying wwwwaaaayyyyy more body mass than your average Pilates enthusiast and it's a recipe for an ego check' they wrote. Another user theorised that gym bros struggled to work with 'their own body weight' which was a fundamental part of most Pilates classes. One man equated Pilates to the first time he took yoga, which he said left him 'shaking'. 'This was me with yoga. I thought I was a fit dude. Did lots of cardio, and worked out. Talked a lot of s*** on yoga. 'My ex asked me to go to class with her. One of the hardest things I've ever done. Had a literal puddle of sweat under me. Legs and arms were shaking like these dudes. 'Riding 100 miles on my bike would have been way easier than that one hour class. I take back all the s*** I said on yoga, and eat all my words. All hail yoga. And flipping the script, one user wrote: 'Videos like this like to insinuate how strong Pilates is. These guys did your full Pilates workout, now go bench press 500lbs show how strong you are lol.'
