Just Sam


Samantha Diaz, 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.

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. 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.
Prior to appearing on American Idol, Just Sam made a living singing in subway trains, and auditioned for America's Got Talent and the American iteration of The Voice, but neither one came to fruition.

''American Idol''

Just Sam auditioned for the eighteenth season of the singing reality show American Idol in Washington, D.C. on October 14, 2019. 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.
WeekThemeSongOriginal artist
AuditionAuditioner's Choice"Rise Up"Andra Day
Hollywood Week, Round 1Contestant's Choice"Hearts Ain't Gonna Lie"Arlissa
Hollywood Week, Round 2Duet"Mercy" Shawn Mendes
Hollywood Week, Round 3Contestant's Choice"I'm Here"Cynthia Erivo
Top 40Showcase Round in Kapolei, Hawaii"Como la Flor"Selena
Top 20Contestant's Choice"I Believe"Fantasia Barrino
Top 11Homeword Bound"Grandma's Hands"Bill Withers
Top 7Disney Night"A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes"from Cinderella
Top 7Mother's Day"I Turn to You"All-4-One
Top 5 / FinaleContestant's Choice"Stronger "Kelly Clarkson
Top 5 / FinaleContestant's Choice"Rise Up"Andra Day

CollaboratorSongOriginal artist
Lauren Daigle"You Say"Lauren Daigle
Cynthia Erivo & American Idol Top 11Medley of :Category:Aretha Franklin songs|Aretha Franklin songsAretha 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."