What Happened to Fan Favorite Just Sam After 'American Idol'?

"...I was the only American Idol in history to win at the beginning of COVID, and everything was shut down."

Apr. 29 2024, Published 11:19 a.m. ET

In 2020, American Idol winner Just Sam became case in point of what the reality making a song display will also be about.

Indeed, the New York City local walked away with the top prize in the competition after having gotten their start as a subway singer.

But then, the liked, non-binary contestant made headlines a couple of years later upon revealing that after Idol, their life took a flip that surprised many enthusiasts. What happened to Just Sam after successful American Idol? Read on for the full story.

So, what happened to Just Sam after 'Idol'?

In June 2023, Just Sam, actual identify Samantha Diaz, unfolded about how winning Idol did not lead to the fortune and repute they would imagined.

"I was like, 'That's it, me and my mother will never experience the same struggles again.' And really, that's not what it was," Sam instructed TMZ. "It was also difficult because I was the only American Idol in history to win at the beginning of COVID, and everything was shut down."

Indeed, since no person sought after to document reside in studio, Sam in truth went again to singing in subways to make ends meet, and lived in a resort.

Sam additionally informed TMZ about signing contracts, "I definitely know now I have to read more. Contracts are something serious. I was just like, OK, yes, and just signing things, and that's not how it goes. You can't just move like that. It leaves you in sticky situations. That's one thing that I learned."

Just Sam returned to the 'Idol' stage all through Season 22 to get their "moment."

Despite going via hard times following their feel-good win in 2020, it seems Sam's moment has come ultimately, with the Season 18 winner returning the Idol stage in April 2024 to carry out for audience once more.

Sam appropriately selected Whitney Houston’s “One Moment in Time", and was celebrated by the audience and American Idol judges alike following their chills-inducing turn.

Luke Bryan told the Season 18 winner, “I’m so glad you had your moment. It’s so nice to sit here and hear your voice again in this room. You go through everything it took, from home to get you to win American Idol, for you to have your moment in time, it was really, really special.”

Meanwhile, Lionel Richie told Sam, "I’m so proud of you. I know the demanding situations that you just’ve been thru and you've got charmed us all. The reality that you've now come back all grown up and cast as a rock, I can only say, God has his fingers firmly on you.”

Fans too have been happy to see Sam get their due, with one commenting on Instagram, "This was such a great idea. So many people had special moments stolen during COVID."

As for what's subsequent for Just Sam, it is unclear if they're planning to get into the studio, but confidently this latest opportunity to sing for America will lead to better days forward for the Idol alum, whose skill is clear whether it is by the use of an iPhone, in a subway, or on the major level of the ABC display that made them well-known.

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