Jessica Sanchez has entered a special hall…
The 31-year-old half-Mexican and half-Filipino American singer-songwriter and 2025 America’s Got Talent winner is among the 2026 inductees into the Asian Hall of Fame.
The organization’s 22nd induction ceremony will be held in Los Angeles on Nov. 5.
Sanchez first rose to fame in 2012 when she finished as runner-up to Phillip Phillips on Season 11 of American Idol.
Thirteen years later, she came back to win America’s Got Talent.
Meanwhile, Robert Vargas, the Mexican-American and Native American artist from Los Angeles has been named as a goodwill ambassador this year.
He’s known for frequently incorporating his roots and indigenous representation into his large-scale murals,
Established in 2004, Asian Hall of Fame seeks to “strengthen interracial synergy by advancing mainstream recognition of Asian achievement and indigenous legacy,” according to a statement.
“During times of worldwide conflict, Asian Hall of Fame serves as a beacon of cross-cultural collaboration and interracial synergy,” Maki Hsieh, president & CEO of Asian Hall of Fame, said in a statement. “Class of 2026 Inductees and Goodwill Ambassadors are role models whose endearing legacies advance culture, commerce and community for generations to come.”
CBS LA anchor Suzie Suh will serve as master of ceremonies of the November 5 event. Ed Roth (Goodwill Ambassador 2022) is musical director. Prior honorees presenting incoming inductees include The Honorable Fiona Ma, William Wang and Soo Man LEE.
The preshow begins at 4:00 pm PT with red carpet arrivals, charity casino and pop-up boutique. The program starts at 6:00 pm with the UCLA Air Force ROTC Honor Guard and National Anthem. The finale features Miss Asian Hall of Fame Ambassadors and showcases heritage costumes from around the world.
Here’s a full list of honorees at the 2026 Asian Hall of Fame.
Class of 2026 Medalists
Hideo Nomo, Hall of Fame Sports Pioneer Inductee
Miky Lee, Centennial Medal of Lifetime Achievement
Sophie Chang, Humanitarian Service Medal of Honor
Lynn and Steve Valbuena, Rich Le Roy, Sabrina Castaneda, Heritage Excellence Medal
Inductees
Dave Lu, managing partner, Hyphen Capital
Dr. Charles Huang, founder & chairman, Pasaca Capital Inc.
Frank Buckley, Emmy-winning anchor, KTLA 5 Morning News, Los Angeles
Jessica Sanchez, 2025 winner, America’s Got Talent
Jerry and Charlene Lee, philanthropists
Kitty Lo, chair, MHG
Lisa Lu, cinema trailblazer
Maggie Tseng, founder & CEO, TAO
ROSÉ, K-pop icon (BLACKPINK)
Simran Baidwan, Emmy Award-winning executive producer
Din Tai Fung, Global Family Legacy Inductee
TSMC, Corporate Tech Inductee
Dennis Quaid, goodwill ambassador
Robert Vargas, goodwill ambassador
Sharon Kim, LAPD detective, Advocacy Prize