Just Sam, the incredibly talented young lady who won “American Idol” in 2020, is now back performing in New York subways.
The Harlem native, whose real name is Samantha Diaz, wowed judges in 2020 with her emotional and beautiful audition.
Just Sam went on to win Season 18 of “American Idol,” but she wasn’t given the tools and support she needed to thrive and be successful in the music industry.
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.
Where is Just Sam now?
As a result, she is now back performing in New York subways for money, and in a recent interview, Sam said she was “super embarrassed” by it.
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 and I didn’t want people to know that it wasn’t optional.
Just Sam won “Idol” in 2020 during the Covid pandemic, which had contestants performing at home.
She admits she never expected to win and that one day she will go into detail about how things went left.
Unfortunately, Sam carries the weight of feeling like she let people down.
Everyone wants to know what happened and why this or why that and 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.
Sam is still active on social media and she shares videos of herself performing hit songs like Adele’s “Easy on Me” and Beyoncé’s “Listen.”
What happened to Just Sam?
Naturally, people question how Sam went from winning “American Idol” back to performing in subways.
One person commented:
Unfortunately, this is what she opted for.
Soon after winning American Idol, she broke her contract with the record label and lost her winnings paying for the contract she CHOSE to break.
She herself said she thought it was going to be easy; going to the studio recording music and living her life as usual.
When she realized it entailed much more than the mere minimal, she opted out!
Lionel, Katy, and Luke were all rooting for her, and it worked out until she chose to leave it all behind.
Another person wrote:
It would be very easy for us to sit behind our keyboards and try to analyze the “why’s and why nots” of Justsam returning to the subway to showcase her Beautiful Voice, but I want to offer a different perspective…
Maybe these railways are where she finds her comfort?
Unless you know her personally, we have no idea what the circumstances are for her taking her talents back to the trains.
What I will say, though, is when someone finds a place where he/she feels safe, they tend to return to that comfort!
Sometimes, there’s a Higher Power working in the mix to use our gifts and talents in areas not understood by most!
Just Sam, I will always be a HUGE fan whether you’re on a big stage in front of thousands or standing in a corner singing for one!❤️
My prayers and hopes are with you, Sis! Much Love on your journey!😍
Regardless of her current situation, Just Sam remains hopeful that better days are ahead.
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 don’t like my situation, but it won’t be this forever.
Sending love and prayers to Just Sam.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or join the convo on our socials. (Facebook, Instagram)
