"American Idol" winner Just Sam says she's back singing on the New York City subway

music

by Nika Shakhnazarova

May 24, 2023 | 3:53 a.m

Singer Just Sam, who rose to fame after winning “American Idol” in 2020, is back working on the New York City subway.

The 24-year-old, who won season 18 on ABC’s hit competition, said he was “very embarrassed” to let fans know they’ve resumed singing in public after winning big.

Sam, whose real name is Samantha Diaz, shared several clips of him singing Ariana Grande’s “Almost Is Never Enough” in a subway station. on instagram.

“Back in 2021 I was so embarrassed to get back on trains. I didn’t want people to know I needed the money legitimately and I didn’t want people to know it wasn’t optional,” Diaz, who uses their pronouns, wrote in a since-deleted comment. Then, according to the sun.

Singer Just Sam, who rose to fame after winning “American Idol” in 2020, is back working on the New York City subway.

ABC via Getty Images

Sam has resumed working on the subway platforms three years after winning a successful singing competition.

Instagram/@samanthadiaz

Using their pronouns, the singer said they were “embarrassed” to tell fans they were active again.

Instagram/@samanthadiaz

“I was disappointed in myself for letting myself get so low after winning ‘Idol,’ but then I had to comfort myself and remember that I started my ‘Idol’ journey at the age of 20. ‘I don’t even know anything about Hollywood or music industry”.

“Since then, I’ve learned a lot and been able to take my experiences and share them with other artists in hopes that they won’t struggle with the same things I did when it comes to making it in this life,” they added.

The Harlem-born singer won the first remote finale in Idol history — the long-running contest left the stage in 2020 due to the pandemic.

After winning the show just three years ago, Sam landed the coveted $250,000 prize plus a recording contract from Hollywood Records.

But in 2022, the singer suddenly left the label without releasing a single album under his belt.

“I make music,” Sam said on social media at the time. “I couldn’t afford to release music, because it costs a lot of money to mix and master music. And I invested in myself and ended up broke. That’s the truth.”

Despite winning the show just three years ago and taking home a $250,000 prize, the singer said they had no choice but to get back in business.

Instagram/@samanthadiaz

The Harlem-born singer won the first remote finale in Idol history.

ABC via Getty Images

“It’s just hard because I’m out of my pocket and I have bills to pay. And American Idol won’t pay my bills. Lionel Richie won’t pay my bills. Katy Perry won’t pay my bills. Luke Bryan won’t pay my bills. I have to pay my rent. I have to make sure I eat every day.” , which is difficult to do.”

The singer noted that the uncertainty during the pandemic left them skeptical of what was to come, but added that they were “prepared and waiting for what it is”.

Sam’s comment continued, “Everyone wants to know what happened and why or why this is and I’ll 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 people feel like I let them down.”

Sam said they were “used to feeling like I was putting myself down and everyone else too” but continued to believe that “there’s more to come for me”.

Sam added, “I know everything happens for a reason and I know this too will pass no matter what things may look like at the moment.”