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FORMER American Idol Just Sam has been receiving some strong support from some of music’s biggest names.
This after the season 18 winner revealed she is back to busking on the subways of New York.
Just Sam, whose full name is Samantha Diaz, had a deal with Hollywood Records but left the label before ever recording a song.
This resulted in the 24-year-old owing the record company money, which led to her going broke.
But in an Instagram story update, the Idol champ told fans she is actually doing just fine.
“I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone for the love and support,” Sam shared.
The Pain is Power singer spoke as she walked outside, under a perfectly cloudy sky.
She looked warm in a pink sweater underneath a white windbreaker and orange jacket. But she did admit to feeling tired.
“I cannot believe the amount of people that were reaching out to me.”
Sam said music icons like record producer Timbaland and rapper Lil Durk had each reached out to show their support, and ask how they could help out.
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“So many people are reaching out just to show love and make sure that I’m ok,” she continued. “I’m just so grateful.”
GOING BROKE
Earlier this month, Samantha posted a video of herself to Instagram singing in the New York City subway and explained how she went broke after the finale.
Just Sam won the singing competition in 2020, beating out Arthur Gunn.
In the new video, she had her sound system, a water bottle, and a donation box in front of her, as she belted out a song.
The American Idol winner wore army fatigue pants, a T-shirt, and a jacket.
Just Sam made a heartbreaking confession in her lengthy post.
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“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.
MORE TO COME
“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.”
IDOL WORSHIP
Sams followers have since criticized American Idol, accusing the show of not offering enough support to her.
One wrote on Reddit: “The show goes out of its way to paint everyone as one big happy family where the producers and judges are there to support all of these contestants.
“When something egregious like the Sam thing happens, even if it’s the fault of the contestant, Idol should at the very least speak on it.”
Another added: “Shame on the show for letting her down so much after she won. It was during Covid she obviously needed more support than they were willing to give.”
A third said: “It’s such a shame since she’s so talented but seems to struggle in life and isn’t receiving the proper guidance.
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