Jessica received her first standing ovation on television when she appeared on the legendary music program Showtime At the Apollo (where Michael Jackson started, among others). Her performance was so thrilling, it prompted Apollo host Whoopi Goldberg to call the then 10 year old back out on stage to accept a second round of applause. A year later, Jessica found herself in front of the judges on America’s Got Talent. Jessica’s rendition of Celine Dion’s “I Surrender” left AGT judge David Hasselhoff momentarily at a near loss for words and then commented “wow, you were fantastic.” Fellow AGT judge recording artist Brandy proclaimed “you’re gonna be huge, I promise.” AGT producer Simon Cowell (from American Idol) addressed the studio audience following Jessica’s performance saying that “she was one the best I have ever heard.” Jessica finished as a semifinalist.
