Who is Ricky Gaiardo, husband of Jessica Sanchez: everything you need to know
25 september 2025 в 19:13
When Jessica Sanchez became the winner of the 20th season of «America's Got Talent» while nine months pregnant, fans were also curious about the man behind the artist. Enter Ricky Gayardo — a lighting technician who had kept a relatively low profile but stood by Jessica since their wedding in 2021.
From how they met to his quiet support during her comeback, here’s what you need to know about Gayardo and his marriage to the new AGT champion.
Sanchez is a Filipino-Mexican American singer, performer, and recording artist. Over the years, she became known for her ability to tackle complex ballads and infuse soulful shades into pop, R&B, and contemporary music. After her breakthrough in her teenage years, she released her debut album «Me, You & the Music» in 2013, featuring renowned artists like Ne-Yo.
Since then, she has performed worldwide, including high-profile events such as the National Memorial Day Concert in 2013 in Washington, D.C., and the 2012 Democratic National Convention, where she sang the national anthem.
Yes, Sanchez rose to fame as a contestant on the 11th season of «American Idol», - where she finished in second place. Much earlier, she appeared on «America's Got Talent» at the age of 10 in the early years of the show.
Nearly two decades later, she returned for a full circle on the 20th season of AGT in 2025. Her comeback was unforgettable — during her audition, she received the Golden Buzzer from judge Sofia Vergara, sending her straight to the live shows.
Sanchez is married to Gayardo, who has mostly stayed out of the public eye. The couple started dating in 2017 and tied the knot in a private ceremony in 2021.
According to Sanchez, they first met when Gayardo was working on lighting for a church that was accidentally used as a concert venue for one of her shows.
«This show producer rented out the church as the venue. I wasn’t throwing a church event, we were just using the church as the venue for one of my concerts», - she said in an interview with FYE channel in 2023. «Ricky used to do lighting at the church, so when I was on stage singing during my concert, during my show and all that, I think one of his friends told him, 'Bro, you need to go back to the church, do lighting, because this girl can sing,' and so on. So he came and sent me a video on Instagram, where we were both in the background on stage, saying, 'Someday I’ll marry you,' and all that».
At the moment, Sanchez does not have any children. However, she is expecting her first child, a daughter, and the pregnancy was publicly announced during her participation in AGT.
«Today I officially enter the 9th month of pregnancy», - Sanchez wrote on Instagram weeks before the finale of the 20th season. «My heart is overflowing with gratitude for all the love and kind words pouring in on me. I never imagined I would spend these last weeks of pregnancy away from home, in the midst of such an exciting competition. I sincerely believe that God’s plan is above my own. This journey has been so unexpected, but so beautiful, and I wouldn’t have it any other way».
Sanchez was born and raised in Chula Vista, California, growing up in the Eastlake area of the city. Her mother is of Filipino descent, and her father is Mexican-American. According to NBC San Diego, she said about her hometown: «My heart is always in San Diego… I can’t wait to make you proud»
From how they met to his quiet support during her comeback, here’s what you need to know about Gayardo and his marriage to the new AGT champion.
Sanchez is a Filipino-Mexican American singer, performer, and recording artist. Over the years, she became known for her ability to tackle complex ballads and infuse soulful shades into pop, R&B, and contemporary music. After her breakthrough in her teenage years, she released her debut album «Me, You & the Music» in 2013, featuring renowned artists like Ne-Yo.
Since then, she has performed worldwide, including high-profile events such as the National Memorial Day Concert in 2013 in Washington, D.C., and the 2012 Democratic National Convention, where she sang the national anthem.
Yes, Sanchez rose to fame as a contestant on the 11th season of «American Idol», - where she finished in second place. Much earlier, she appeared on «America's Got Talent» at the age of 10 in the early years of the show.
Nearly two decades later, she returned for a full circle on the 20th season of AGT in 2025. Her comeback was unforgettable — during her audition, she received the Golden Buzzer from judge Sofia Vergara, sending her straight to the live shows.
Sanchez is married to Gayardo, who has mostly stayed out of the public eye. The couple started dating in 2017 and tied the knot in a private ceremony in 2021.
According to Sanchez, they first met when Gayardo was working on lighting for a church that was accidentally used as a concert venue for one of her shows.
«This show producer rented out the church as the venue. I wasn’t throwing a church event, we were just using the church as the venue for one of my concerts», - she said in an interview with FYE channel in 2023. «Ricky used to do lighting at the church, so when I was on stage singing during my concert, during my show and all that, I think one of his friends told him, 'Bro, you need to go back to the church, do lighting, because this girl can sing,' and so on. So he came and sent me a video on Instagram, where we were both in the background on stage, saying, 'Someday I’ll marry you,' and all that».
At the moment, Sanchez does not have any children. However, she is expecting her first child, a daughter, and the pregnancy was publicly announced during her participation in AGT.
«Today I officially enter the 9th month of pregnancy», - Sanchez wrote on Instagram weeks before the finale of the 20th season. «My heart is overflowing with gratitude for all the love and kind words pouring in on me. I never imagined I would spend these last weeks of pregnancy away from home, in the midst of such an exciting competition. I sincerely believe that God’s plan is above my own. This journey has been so unexpected, but so beautiful, and I wouldn’t have it any other way».
Sanchez was born and raised in Chula Vista, California, growing up in the Eastlake area of the city. Her mother is of Filipino descent, and her father is Mexican-American. According to NBC San Diego, she said about her hometown: «My heart is always in San Diego… I can’t wait to make you proud»
© Kolganov Andrey
