In 2001, Sánchez was cast as Isabella Molina, an undercover United States Secret Service agent who was Jackie Chan's love interest in the hit movie Rush Hour 2. In 2003, she played the role of Lorena in the movie Chasing Papi, starring alongside Jaci Velasquez and Sofia Vergara. Sánchez has acted in some 20 movies, including as Maria in Edison and as Karen Lopez in Underclassman. She also starred in the Puerto Rican film Cayo, released in 2005. Also in the fall of 2005, she joined the cast of the television series Without a Trace, where she played Agent Elena Delgado.
She composed the musical Yellow, about a singer/dancer/actress who leaves Puerto Rico to hit the big time in New York, in which she played the principal part. The movie was filmed in 2005 and released in 2007.
Also in 2007, she acted as Monique, Peyton's ballet teacher, in The Game Plan, and in 2009, starred in The Perfect Sleep, a neo-noir drama, co-starring Patrick Bauchau, Tony Amendola, Isaac Singleton, and Peter Lucas.
In 2003, her first musical recording, Borinqueña, was released. The album's first single, "Amor Amor", gained a lot of attention as well as a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Music Video. She appeared in Craig David's music videos "Hidden Agenda" and "Personal" and in the Fabolous video for the song "Make Me Better".
Sánchez was married to actor Gary Stretch from 9 August 1998, to 2001. After her divorce, she started a relationship with Puerto Rican salsa singer Víctor Manuelle. However, in December 2005, she announced that she had ended their relationship. The separation was amicable. She married actor Eric Winter on 29 November 2008, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Sánchez is a supporter of animal rights and an active member of PETA. She recently appeared nude in a PETA ad in support of anti-fur campaign efforts. She is the spokesperson of the Fundación de Niños San Jorge, which assists sick children from poor families.
