Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez opened up about how motherhood has transformed both her life and music career.
During a press conference for her upcoming Manila concert on May 16, the America’s Got Talent Season 20 winner shared how becoming a mother inspired a major shift in her identity and artistic direction.
“It’s been a huge shift for me because music has been my identity in my life since I was very young. Even now becoming a mom, even when I was pregnant, it was such a beautiful thing because I feel like the Lord has given me the chance to shift my identity,” Jessica said.
She added, “From it’s just being music as my identity, to now being Jessica - being a mother, being a wife, a friend, a sister. It was not just only about being a singer. I felt like that for such a long time. That’s really special to me, too.”
Jessica shared how motherhood allowed her to better understand herself and what she wants to offer through her music.
“Now with my music direction, I feel like I really, truly understand who I am, what I want and more confident as a woman, becoming a mom,” she expressed.
Jessica also revealed that her daughter, Eliana Mae, has become one of her greatest inspirations as she continues creating new music and move forward in life.
“Eliana is also just my biggest inspiration and that also shifted my music direction. So, I’m very excited that I have to release my new album Szn, [my] new song, and I hope you guys enjoy it,” she said. “I’m also very excited to release much more music.”
Jessica also teased that she has a very special album in the works.
“I’m working on, maybe releasing a Tagalog EP. I’m very excited for that as well,” she excitedly shared.
According to Jessica, the project is still in development as of now. Aside from exploring more Filipino music, Jessica also expressed her desire to write songs in Filipino and collaborate with local artists in the future.
“I definitely want to collaborate. I actually am learning Tagalog with my daughter right now - with the flash cards and everything. But I really wanted to be part of the creative process. That’s something I really enjoy doing but also, I do plan in collaborating with other Filipino artists. That would be really fun,” she said.
Jessica also opened up about her journey toward becoming a songwriter, saying it has helped her become more vulnerable and authentic with her audience.
“In the past few years, I’ve been strengthening my writing skills. I'm a perfectionist so it takes a lot for me to be vulnerable and open. But I've been getting better. It's been something I'm sharpening the past couple of years,” she said.
She went on: “I also take some of my own personal pains and wins and putting them to songs with my own emotions. It has been challenging but also an opportunity to be ransparent and for the audience to get to know me because I'm a very quiet version.”
Jessica Sanchez: Live in Manila is set to take place on Saturday, May 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Joining Jessica at the concert are several Filipino music icons and performers, including Vice Ganda, Regine Velasquez, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Morissette Amon, James Reid, and Darren Espanto.
Tickets are still available through the official TicketNet website and TicketNet outlets nationwide, with prices ranging from ₱1,250 to ₱12,000.