Just Sam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Just Sam
Birth nameSamantha Diaz
Born (1998-11-23) November 23, 1998 (age 23)
Harlem, New York
OriginHarlem, New York
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
Years active2019–present
Labels

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.

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]

Performances:
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
Non-competition performances:
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

Discography[]

Singles[]

Year Title Album
2020 "Rise Up" (Performance Version) Non-album single (released by Hollywood Records)
2021 "Africando" Non-album single (released by Samantha Diaz

through Just Sam Entertainment)

References[]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "American Idol Winner Samantha 'Just Sam' Diaz Hopes to 'Inspire' and 'Reach' More People". People. May 19, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  4. ^ Arnold, Chuck (May 19, 2020). "'American Idol' Winner Just Sam on the Best and Worst Train Lines". New York Post. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  5. ^ @idolspoilers (October 13, 2019). "#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.
  6. ^ Lawler, Kelly (May 18, 2020). "'American Idol' finale recap: And the remotely crowned winner is …". usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved May 18, 2020.

External links[]

Preceded by American Idol winner
2020 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from ""