'American Idol's Just Sam Is Back to Singing in Subway after Winning $250K — Timeline of Her Last Years

"American Idol" winner Just Sam was spotted singing for money in the subway once more after winning the $250,000 cash prize. The singer explained how she ended up back there.

Just Sam, the talented singer who captured the hearts of millions when she won "American Idol" in 2020, was recently spotted busking in the New York City subway. Sam's post-show struggles are in stark comparison to the triumphs of past winners like Carrie Underwood, who has an estimated net worth of $140 million, or Kelly Clarkson, who has won three Grammy Awards and currently hosts her own self-titled talk show.

Her Childhood Wasn’t So Sweet & Her Adulthood Followed Suit

Samantha Díaz, aka Just Sam, faced a challenging upbringing marked by adversity. During her formative years, her mother's recurrent encounters with the justice system resulted in a turbulent environment, leading Samantha and her sister, Anabelle, to navigate the complexities of foster care. However, at the age of six, their lives took a positive turn when their grandmother, Elizabeth, stepped in and opened her heart to adopt them, providing them with stability and a loving home. “She is my shelter in the storm,” Just Sam admitted.

After their adoption, Just Sam and her sister, Anabelle, relocated with their grandmother to the Frederick Douglas projects in Harlem, where they continue to reside. It was within this close-knit community that they forged their lives, surrounded by the vibrant spirit of Harlem.

However, the echoes of their challenging past reverberated through their lives. Just Sam shared a poignant memory during an episode of the show, recounting how her grandmother would meticulously dress her and her sister on Sundays before embarking on a bus journey upstate to visit their mother in jail. This recurring experience left an indelible mark on their relationship, shaping their connection in profound ways over time.

What Just Sam faced was a far cry from the grand stage and live audience she had envisioned.

In 2018, Just Sam became the focal point of a documentary titled "Sam, Underground," created by Joe Penney and Ladan Osman. In the revealing film, she openly addressed the intricate nature of her relationship with her "birth parent," candidly sharing her thoughts and emotions, saying “I wouldn’t want to sing with my mother, like, ever. I wouldn’t want to work with her in music either.”

From Big Scene Back to The Subway

Just Sam's foray into street singing began in seventh grade. One day, alongside her sister and a friend, they found themselves sitting outside their mother's workplace and spontaneously decided to showcase their vocal talents and ask for donations.

To their delight, their impromptu performance yielded a significant sum of money, prompting them to continue this endeavor for several weeks. However, it was not until they ventured into the bustling New York City subway system that they stumbled upon a true goldmine.

What initially started as a pasttime swiftly transformed into Just Sam's sole source of income. As she candidly shared in the documentary, her subway performances had the potential to earn her up to $100 on a good day.

Recently, Just Sam took to Instagram to share several videos of herself singing on subway trains and platforms, accompanied by a donations box. It's a stark contrast from the glitz and glamour of the "American Idol" stage.

According to the Sun, in a heartfelt post that has since been deleted, Sam expressed feelings of embarrassment and shame about returning to busking after her momentous win. "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," the singer reportedly wrote. Reflecting on her journey, Sam added:

"I was disappointed in myself for allowing myself to fall so low.”

Just Sam's rise to fame was extraordinary. She emerged as the winner of the first remote finale in the history of "American Idol," as the pandemic forced the show to shift gears. Celebrating her victory alone in a bedroom, clutching an iPad with a family member on video chat, Sam experienced a mix of overwhelming joy and a sense of isolation. It was a far cry from the grand stage and live audience she had envisioned. Samantha recalled:

"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."

During her audition, Sam's emotions got the better of her, and she asked the judges if she could perform her usual ritual before singing on the subway. The judges kindly granted her request, and she gave an impromptu performance that touched the hearts of those watching. Her raw talent and authentic storytelling connected with the judges and the audience, propelling her to victory.

After winning "American Idol," Sam received a significant cash prize of $250,000 and a recording contract from Hollywood Records. However, in 2022, she made the shocking decision to part ways with the label without releasing a single album.

Samantha revealed the financial struggles she faced in trying to release her music. Mixing and mastering songs proved to be costly, and she ended up investing her own funds, leaving her in a precarious financial situation. "I thought it was gonna be easy, just go to the studio, record, put out music. And that's not how the world works. That's not how the industry works. It takes time, it takes money that I don't have,” she explained.

Sam opened up about the harsh realities of the music industry, stressing that even winning a show like "American Idol" doesn't guarantee financial stability. She candidly admitted that she couldn't rely on the show or the judges to pay her bills; she had to take care of her basic needs, such as rent and food, on her own. Moreover, as the winner, Samantha got a deal with Hollywood Records but left the label before she recorded a song. She was forced to pay the label money and it caused her to go broke.

Her life took another turn when last year, Just Sam was unexpectedly hospitalized for an unknown condition, saying that she “seriously need help.” Later on, the ‘American Idol’ winner reportedly shared on social media that she felt much better and expressed her gratitude to fans for their prayers.

Despite feeling like she let herself and others down, Sam continues to believe that there is more in store for her. She holds onto the belief that everything happens for a reason and that this difficult period will pass, no matter how bleak things may appear at the moment.

Diaz stated that she has learned a great deal from her experiences and is grateful for the opportunity to share her journey with other artists. She hopes that by sharing her story, other artists can avoid facing similar challenges and hardships.