'American Idol' Winner Back Singing on the New York Subway for Donations
Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Just Sam
Image via ABC

‘American Idol’ winner back singing on the New York subway for donations

She's soldiering on.

Who doesn’t remember Just Sam? That moment, when she dropped her tablet after hearing the news of winning American Idol in 2020, is memorable for many. That said, the last month’s Instagram videos shared by Samantha Diaz aka Just Sam in which she is seen singing in New York subways became viral baffling many fans.

Recommended Videos

Most probably because Sam has a history of performing in subways which have led people to wonder what might have propelled the singer to revert to her old ways. Sam finally broke her silence on the subject, explaining her situation in the now deleted caption on May 1 when she told The Sun:

“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. 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. 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. Since then, I have learned so much and I’ve been able to take my experiences and share them with other artists in hopes that they don’t experience the same things that I did when it comes to making it in this life.”

Even though the exact reason remains uncertain, Sam mentioned the ongoing pandemic as a major cause of making such a decision. Talking to the outlet, she said how at the time of her winning, COVID was rampant, and because of this she became uncertain of her future, which probably drove her to make this move.

However, nothing has been confirmed by Sam yet but she assured the outlet that someday she will reveal in detail the real reason behind this as well as expressed disappointment at having “let everyone down.”  

Nevertheless, she did open up to Just Jared about her financial hardships which created major challenges for her to release music, unlike the show’s previous winners. Mainly because she made the hasty decision of not working with the label with which she forged a contract after winning leading her to owe a great deal of money to the company.

Notwithstanding the mountains of challenges, the singer doesn’t seem to harbor any regrets about it as she claims to display her talents to the world by making her own music.


We Got This Covered is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Jayasmita Dutta Roy
Jayasmita Dutta Roy
A keen lover of cinema, Jayasmita harbors an utmost interest in staying updated about everything ranging from the classics to contemporary blockbusters. When she is not glued to the computer gleaning information about intriguing pop culture gossips, you will see her in a random coffee shop immersed in the surreal world of Murakami.