Where is Just Sam From American Idol? What Happened to Just Sam From American Idol?
by Mathelene
Updated May 16, 2023
Who is Just Sam?
Just Sam, also known as Samantha Diaz, is an American singer who rose to fame after winning the seventeenth season of the reality TV show American Idol in 2020. Born on November 23, 1998, in Harlem, New York City, Just Sam had a challenging upbringing.
She was raised by her grandmother in the Frederick Douglass Houses, a public housing project. Just Sam's passion for music began at a young age. She would often sing in subway stations to earn money for herself and her grandmother.
She drew inspiration from artists like Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra, and Celine Dion, whose songs she would perform in the subway. In 2020, Just Sam auditioned for American Idol and quickly became a fan favorite with her soulful and powerful voice. Throughout the competition, she showcased her versatility by performing a variety of genres, including pop, R&B, and gospel.
Just Sam's performances were marked by her emotional connection to the songs she sang, capturing the hearts of both the judges and the audience. As the competition progressed, Just Sam's talent and authenticity shone through, leading her to the grand finale. On May 17, 2020, she was crowned the winner of "American Idol," making history as the first LGBTQ+ and first openly gay contestant to win the show.
Following her victory, Just Sam signed a record deal with Hollywood Records and released her debut single, "Rise Up." The song showcased her powerful vocals and emotional range, earning positive reviews from critics and fans alike. Just Sam continues to pursue her music career, aiming to inspire others through her heartfelt performances and personal journey.
Just Sam's story serves as a testament to the power of determination and resilience. Despite facing adversity, she persevered and achieved her dream of becoming a successful singer. Her unique voice, combined with her inspiring background, has positioned her as a rising star in the music industry.
Where is Just Sam from American Idol?
Samantha Diaz, the beloved winner of American Idol, recently shared that she has returned to singing in the New York City subway system to earn money, just three years after her triumph on the show. Known by her stage name Just Sam, the 24-year-old singer posted a video on Instagram showcasing her performance in the subway and discussed her financial struggles since the finale.
Despite her victory on American Idol in 2020, where she prevailed over Arthur Gunn, Just Sam found herself facing financial difficulties and has resorted to busking once again. In the video, she can be seen wearing army fatigue pants, a T-shirt, and a jacket, with her sound system, a water bottle, and a donation box set up in front of her. Just Sam's heartfelt message accompanying the post revealed the challenges she has encountered since her win.
"Back in 2021, I was super embarrassed to be going back to the trains. I didn’t want people to know that I legit needed the money & I didn’t want people to know that it wasn’t optional," she wrote. "I was disappointed in myself for allowing myself to fall so low after winning idol, but then I had to take it easy on me and remember that I started my journey with Idol at 20 years old.
Not even knowing anything about Hollywood or the music industry." The 2020 winner continued: "Since then, I have learned so much and I’ve been able to take my experiences and share them with other artist in hopes that they don’t experience the same things that I did when It comes to making it in this life. "For my season, there was COVID-19 which literally had the world shut down and had many people in hiding unsure of what was going to happen next.
What Happened to Just Sam from American Idol?
Just Sam concluded her American Idol journey with a powerful rendition of Andra Day's "Rise Up," which captivated the audience and earned her the highest number of public votes, making her the show's first-ever at-home winner. Since her victory, Just Sam has experienced significant milestones in her life. In May 2020, she openly shared her sexual orientation, identifying as a lesbian in an interview with the New York Post.
However, she expressed a desire not to be defined solely by her sexual orientation, preferring to identify primarily as a child of God. Additionally, she stated her personal disinterest in men. Following her American Idol win, Just Sam secured a record deal with Hollywood Records. However, she eventually parted ways with the label without releasing an album under their partnership. Despite this setback, Just Sam remains dedicated to her musical aspirations and continues to create music.
However, she has faced financial challenges, expressing that she has gone through financial difficulties while independently financing her music career. "I was very much unsure of what was going to come. For a few months after winning I was unsure of what was next, but I was ready and waiting for whatever it was." Just Sam continued: "Everyone wants to know what happened and why this or why that & I will answer those questions someday, but In the meantime I’ll say this.
I never expected to win, but I did, I was so grateful and I know that people are feeling like I let them down. "I used to feel like I let myself and everyone down too. I know that there’s more coming for me. I know that everything happens for a reason and I know that this too shall pass no matter what things may look like right now. "I'm not like any other contestant that has ever had a chance to be apart of the American Idol production.
My year was unlike any other." "My grandmother is who I have and who I have always had and she knows absolutely nothing about the music industry all she knows is how to listen and call out a good singer when she hears one," she shared. Just Sam concluded: "We didn’t know what to do with the win especially being that we had absolutely no help.
There are people who have had more success than me and good for them I’m happy for them, but I am not them. I don’t like my situation, but it won’t be this forever."After her victory on American Idol, Just Sam signed a contract with Hollywood Records. However, she made the decision to part ways with the label before recording any songs. Unfortunately, this choice had financial repercussions, as Just Sam had to repay the label, leading to a significant financial strain.
As a result, she found herself in a difficult financial situation, struggling to make ends meet. Just Sam has taken it upon herself to invest in her music career, shouldering the responsibility of paying for her recording expenses. However, the costs associated with mastering music have proven to be a significant barrier for her. Consequently, she has been unable to release new music due to the financial limitations she currently faces.
American Idol
American Idol is a popular reality television singing competition that first premiered in 2002. The show follows a format where aspiring singers from all around the United States audition in front of a panel of judges. The contestants compete in various rounds, showcasing their singing abilities and performing a wide range of musical genres.
The judges provide feedback and critique to the contestants, ultimately narrowing down the pool of participants through elimination rounds. The show's viewers also play a significant role by voting for their favorite contestants, contributing to the decision-making process.
Throughout the season, contestants go through several stages, including Hollywood Week, where they face additional challenges and perform in front of larger audiences. The competition culminates in a grand finale, where the top finalists perform for the last time, and the winner is determined based on viewer votes.
American Idol has been a platform that has launched the careers of numerous successful artists, such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Hudson, and many more. It has become one of the most influential and widely recognized talent shows in the music industry, offering aspiring singers a chance to showcase their talents on a national stage.
Where is Just Sam from American Idol - FAQs
Just Sam, whose real name is Samantha Diaz, is an American singer and the winner of the seventeenth season of "American Idol" in 2020.
After winning "American Idol," Just Sam secured a record deal with Hollywood Records. However, she left the label without releasing an album, resulting in financial difficulties. She has been independently financing her music career and has faced challenges in affording the costs associated with releasing music.
Yes, Just Sam came out as a lesbian in a May 2020 interview with the New York Post.