American Idol winner Samantha ‘Just Sam’ Diaz teases comeback after returning to busking in NYC

Former American Idol winner, Samantha ‘Just Sam’ Diaz joined TMZLive on Friday to tease that a comeback is imminent.

The positive news comes just a month after the non-binary singer, 24, made headlines after revealing that after winning the 18th season of Idol in May 2020, they had returned to busking the NYC subways.

The New York-born music artist talked about the “reality” of being a winner in the competition series, which launched successful careers for contestants like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

Just Sam admitted that they initially believed their lives would have changed and recalled thinking, “My grandma and I will never go through the same battle again.”

The artist explained that winning American Idol was one of the biggest hardships at the start of the pandemic, indicating that studios were being shut down.

Back to busking: The positive news comes just a month after the non-binary singer made headlines when he revealed they had returned to busking on the NYC subways after winning the 18th season of Idol in May 2020

“People didn’t want to work in studios right away, people were still trying to figure out how to get back to normal for us then,” the singer continued.

“And it took me a few months to even get into the studio, which kind of sucked,” adding that they were “living out of a hotel” at the time.

However, Just Sam explained that they learned many lessons along the way, such as looking at contracts more closely. “I’m sure now I need to read more,” admitting that in the past they were just “signing stuff.”

‘And that’s not how it goes. You can’t just move. It leaves you in awkward situations,” the singer explained to TMZ. “But that’s one thing I’ve learned. I learned so much from the label.’

The former contestant explained, “Now I’m in a place where I’m like, ‘Girl, it’s okay to record in somebody’s home studio and put it out’ and people will hear you.” They’re going to feel you, because I put my heart into my music.’

Sam added, “I’ve only got five songs out, and I was like, ‘Oh, I have to pay the $5k to get a professional to mix and master it. And no. People will hear it and know that I.” it will pay for itself in the future, even if it is not the best quality.’

The star also commented on the recent revelation that they were back singing and street performers on the New York City subways.

Diaz said they are “grateful for the chance to speak out,” revealing that other music artists in the industry reached out last May when they saw the headlines, including rapper Lil Durk.

Hardship: The artist explained that winning American Idol was one of the biggest hardships at the start of the pandemic, citing studios being shut down

“So many people are reaching out and showing love, and I have opportunities that my team and I are working on — collaborations that we’re working on — to be realized soon.”

In early April, Sam started posting videos of themselves singing on NYC subways and received love and support from the comment section.

In a since-deleted caption to a video of Just Sam singing Ariana Grande’s song Almost Is Never Enough, the singer opened up about their situation, per The sun.

“In 2021 I was extremely embarrassed to go back to the trains. I didn’t want people to know I really needed the money and I didn’t want people to know it wasn’t optional,” the star wrote.

“I was disappointed in myself for letting myself fall so low after winning Idol, but then I had to take it easy and remember that I started my journey with Idol when I was 20 years old. I don’t even know anything about Hollywood or the music industry.”

The singer added that they have “learned so much” and “shared experiences” with “other artists in hopes that they don’t go through the same things I went through when it comes to making it in this lifetime.”

‘Everyone wants to know what happened & why this or why that & I’ll answer those questions someday but in the meantime I’ll say this. I never expected to win but I did, I was so thankful and I know people feel like I let them down” and they feel like they’ve lost myself and everyone in the abandoned’.

Diaz later gave a heartfelt shout out to their grandmother, writing, “We didn’t know what to do with the win, especially since we had absolutely no help.”

“There are people who have been more successful than me and good for them. I’m happy for them, but I’m not them. I don’t like my situation, but this won’t be like this forever,” the star concluded positively.

Positive steps: Diaz said they are “grateful for the chance to speak out” and revealed that other music artists in the industry reached out when they saw the headlines, including rapper Lil Durk

Hard work: “So many people reach out and show love, and I have opportunities that my team and I are working on — collaborations that we’re working to make possible soon,” Diaz told TMZ

On an Instagram story shared last year, Just Sam opened up about leaving their record label. ‘I’m making music. I just can’t afford to release music because mixing and mastering music costs a lot of money. And I invested in myself and went bankrupt. That is the truth.’

“It’s just hard because I’m coming out of pocket and have bills to pay. And American Idol isn’t going to pay my bills. Lionel Richie isn’t going to pay my bills. Katy Perry isn’t going to pay my bills. Luke Bryan isn’t going to pay my bills.’

The singer, who won a $250,000 cash prize and a deal with Hollywood Records, explained why she left the label at the time. “I’m not even going to tell you how much money I had to pay after I left the label to claim songs I’d already recorded.”

“I’m recording or making music all the time, writing every day, doing what I have to do to survive.”