'American Idol' Season 18 winner Just Sam wows judges as they return to show after going viral for busking in NYC subways

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Just Sam aka Samantha Diaz, the winner of 'American Idol' Season 18, returned to the reality competition's stage to perform Whitney Houston’s 'One Moment in Time’.

The 25-year-old Harlem native went viral last year after it was revealed that they had to return to their old stint of busking in the New York subway despite winning the singing talent show in May 2020.  

Just Sam returns to the 'American Idol' stage as a guest performer 

The Season 18 of the ABC reality show was disrupted by the Covid-19-induced lockdowns. Nevertheless, the competition continued from the contestants’ homes and Just Sam was declared the winner.

They became the first openly LGBTQ+ winner in the show’s history. The show focused quite a bit on Sam's inspirational story as a subway performer who earned money to help their grandmother.

In May 2023, Sam posted videos on their Instagram, showing her singing in the NYC subways.

Previously, in early 2022, Sam claimed they were "broke" from trying to fund their independent music career. Moreover, the singer's deal with Hollywood Records and 19 Recordings fell through in 2021, as per the Washington Post. 

After performing on the Season 22 stage, Sam shared exuberantly, "This is way better than an iPhone from home," as per Deadline.

After the host Ryan Seacrest asked the judges to comment on the musician’s performances, Katy Perry said, "I ain’t got notes," before adding, "But, what I will say is, you one hundred percent deserve that confetti."

The ‘Roar’ singer added, "It was long overdue and it looks so great on you. I’m just so proud of who you’ve become."

Judge Luke Bryan expressed, "I’m so glad you had your moment. It’s so nice to sit here and hear your voice again in this room. You go through everything it took, from home to get you to win American Idol, for you to have your moment in time, it was really, really special."

Lionel Richie admitted he was "sitting here like a proud papa bear," and said, "I’m so proud of you."

He further shared, "I know the challenges that you’ve been through and you have charmed us all. The fact that you have now come back all grown up and solid as a rock, I can only say, God has his hands firmly on you." 

Internet is enthralled by Just Sam's performance

One said, "Them giving Just Sam her winning confetti and lights moment four years after the messy COVID season was wonderful. Good on #AmericanIdol for this one," and another expressed, "I hope to hear more of just Sam moving forward. It’s been so long! A beautiful voice though."

"Just Sam singing One Moment in Time just reminds me why she deserved to win 2020. She looks beautiful tonight too #americanidol," noted a person, while someone else shared, "Just Sam is out here killing it, and I’m genuinely left wondering why we have not heard anything from her since winning #AmericanIdol? She’s insane."

An individual noted, "So amazing and happy to see Just Sam get their long overdue moment on the American Idol stage after winning from at home in 2020. Such a beautiful moment!"

"Just Sam is very beautiful tonight. Her performance of 'One Moment in Time' was the best!!! ❤️❤️❤️," wrote another person, complimenting Sam. 

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