Just Sam
Samantha Diaz (born November 23, 1998), known by her stage name Just Sam, is a singer-songwriter from Harlem, New York who rose to fame after winning the eighteenth season of the singing reality show American Idol.
| Just Sam | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Samantha Diaz |
| Born | November 23, 1998 Harlem, New York |
| Origin | Harlem, New York |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2019–present |
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Early life
Just Sam was born and raised in Harlem, New York. When she was six years old, her grandmother, Elizabeth, adopted Diaz and her sister, Anabelle, after her mother had been incarcerated.[1] She was the topic of a short documentary in 2018 called Sam, Underground, which was shot and produced by Joe Penney and Ladan Osman. In the documentary, she explained that in high school, she was bullied for how she dressed, inspiring her "Just Sam" nickname.[2]
Prior to appearing on American Idol, Just Sam made a living singing in subway trains,[3] and auditioned for America's Got Talent and the American iteration of The Voice, but neither one came to fruition.[4]
American Idol
Just Sam auditioned for the eighteenth season of the singing reality show American Idol in Washington, D.C. on October 14, 2019.[5] After surviving Hollywood Week and making it into the Top 5, Just Sam received the most votes to win, and on May 17, 2020, Just Sam was crowned the winner of the eighteenth season of American Idol, beating runner-up Arthur Gunn.[6]
| Week | Theme | Song(s) | Original artist(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | Auditioner's Choice | "Rise Up" | Andra Day |
| Hollywood Week, Round 1 | Contestant's Choice | "Hearts Ain't Gonna Lie" | Arlissa |
| Hollywood Week, Round 2 | Duet | "Mercy" (with Sheniel Masionet) | Shawn Mendes |
| Hollywood Week, Round 3 | Contestant's Choice | "I'm Here" | Cynthia Erivo |
| Top 40 | Showcase Round in Kapolei, Hawaii | "Como la Flor" | Selena |
| Top 20 | Contestant's Choice | "I Believe" | Fantasia Barrino |
| Top 11 | Homeword Bound | "Grandma's Hands" | Bill Withers |
| Top 7 | Disney Night | "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" | from Cinderella |
| Mother's Day | "I Turn to You" | All-4-One | |
| Top 5 / Finale | Contestant's Choice | "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" | Kelly Clarkson |
| "Rise Up" | Andra Day |
| Collaborator(s) | Song | Original artist |
|---|---|---|
| Lauren Daigle | "You Say" | Lauren Daigle |
| Cynthia Erivo & American Idol Top 11 | Medley of Aretha Franklin songs | Aretha Franklin |
| Lionel Richie & American Idol Top 11 | "We Are the World" | Michael Jackson & Lionel Richie |
Personal life
In a May 19, 2020 interview with Chuck Arnold of the New York Post, Just Sam stated, "I am a child of God, so that's always gonna come first. That's actually the only label that I ever want to have. But I like what I like, and that's just that, you know? And it's not men. Like, at all."[4]
References
- Talent Recap (May 10, 2020). "Just Sam Delivers MOVING Performance As She Relives Sad Childhood Moments with Her Mom". youtube.com. YouTube. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- Puckett, Lauren (May 17, 2020). "'American Idol' Finalist Just Sam Gets Real About Quarantining Alone While Trying to Win the Show". goodhousekeeping.com. Good Housekeeping. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- "American Idol Winner Samantha 'Just Sam' Diaz Hopes to 'Inspire' and 'Reach' More People". People. May 19, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- Arnold, Chuck (May 19, 2020). "'American Idol' Winner Just Sam on the Best and Worst Train Lines". New York Post. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
- @idolspoilers (October 13, 2020). "#idolspoilers Correction: American Idol Season 18 Celebrity Judges' Auditions in Washington, D.C., will take place October 14th & 15th, rather than October 13th & 14th, as previously reported" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- Lawler, Kelly (May 18, 2020). "'American Idol' finale recap: And the remotely crowned winner is …". usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved May 18, 2020.