SAMATHA “Just Sam” Diaz, winner of American Idol in 2020, has made a vulnerable new post where she admits to singing in the subway for cash.
Just Sam, 24, won the 18th season of American Idol during the Covid pandemic.
GettyAmerican Idol season 18 winner Just Sam made an upsetting announcement on Instagram[/caption]
Instagram/samanthadiazThe Idol winner admitted that she had to go back to singing in the NYC subways[/caption]
Only three years later, the entertainment industry has left Just Sam in the dust – forcing her to perform in the New York City subway system to pay her bills.
In a lengthy post on Instagram, the singer admitted that she was “super embarrassed to be going back to the trains.”
She didn’t want to admit to the public that she was strapped for cash and that performing in the subway “wasn’t optional.”
Just Sam was only 20 years old when she won the competition, and she had no experience in the music industry – which at the time was shut down due to the pandemic.
She goes on to write, “I used to feel like I let myself & everyone down too, but I am a child of God and I keep the lord involved in all that I do so I know that there’s more coming for me.”
She claimed that she had “absolutely no help” after her win, but she’s relying on God to help her find her way.
Her message was accompanied by a video of her singing in the subway with a speaker and a donations box in front of her.
OVERFLOWING WITH LOVE
After reading Just Sam’s message, Idol fans on Instagram and Reddit showed her an outpouring of support, and they also called upon the show to help their season 18 winner.
One fan wrote, “This is completely unfair to her. I hope someone on Idol sees this and invites her back to sing or something.”
Another commented, “Hopefully, Idol takes care of their own.”
A third added, “Idol should have so much more support for their contestants. Both emotionally and spiritually and guide them financially.”
“Winning American Idol doesn’t guarantee instant success, but something went wrong here. There’s absolutely no reason for you to be singing in subways again,” said another.
UNCERTAIN FUTURE
American Idol fans have become worried about the future of the show, as a major union strike shuts down Hollywood.
As members of the Writers Guild of America strike over more pay and better benefits, many major TV and film productions have ground to a halt.
Many fans are concerned for the fates of their favorite shows, including American Idol.
On Instagram, Idol host Lionel Richie is trying to stay optimistic, posting a photo teasing Ryan Seacrest over the host’s use of a bicycle to move around the studio lot.
The Dancing on the Ceiling singer posed in two photos next to a trailer on set.
He held onto a bike, which had the word “Seacrest,” on the license plate.
Lionel had his hand out in a “Really?” gesture as he looked at the camera.
The next photo, however, had him smiling next to his friend’s bike.
“The stage is only 20ft away, and @ryanseacrest has a bike !! Production – I need a bike too!!” Lionel captioned the post.
Ryan clapped back in the comments of the singer’s post.
“Listen, 20ft is far for short legs,” he said.
But fans in the comments section weren’t interested in bikes, instead begging to know: “What’s gonna happen w/ the writers strike now?”
Over on Reddit, one fan created a chat room to discuss: “How will a writer’s strike affect ABC programming and how does Idol fit into this?”
Another pointed out that Idol is “one of ABC’s only unscripted shows.”
There does seem to be hope for Idol maniacs, as the show is not expected to be affected by the strike.
American Idol is still currently scheduled to wrap up on May 21 with a three-hour finale.
Instagram/samanthadiazFans were saddened and confused by the announcement, wondering why she doesn’t have more opportunities[/caption]
GettySome fans blamed the show for not supporting their winner[/caption]
GettyFans are concerned that the future of the show will be in jeopardy because of the writer’s strike[/caption]
