'American Idol' Judges Break Down Over Subway Performer Just Sam’s Emotional Audition

Jul 12, 2020 by apost team

There was no shortage of tears during the initial night of auditions for the 18th season of "American Idol" on ABC. However, no contestant has ever been able to impact judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan quite like the subway singer Just Sam did.

"American Idol" usually gives backgrounds about the various contestants. These stories talk about the various life struggles that the contestants have typically gone through before making their way onto the stage. This was no different for Samantha Diaz, who goes by the stage name "Just Sam." In the promotional package, it was revealed to viewers at home that Samantha is a mere 20 years of age, and she hails from Harlem, New York.

When Just Sam was young, her parents were not around. So that she wouldn't have to grow up on the streets, her grandmother adopted Samantha and her sister. She raised them even though she barely had enough money to take care of her own needs. Just Sam's primary source of income was performing songs in New York subways where she attempted to garner enough funds to supply the impoverished family with their essential needs.

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Just Sam and her loved ones were constantly on the verge of not having enough food to eat or enough medical care. However, Just Sam always took great pride in her voice and its ability to deliver even a paltry income; she vowed that she would use it for the betterment of those who meant the most to her. Managing to make it onto the stage in front of the judges for "American Idol" was a fantasy turned into reality for the young street performer; it was truly her best possible gamble in order to turn her life around.

As Just Sam entered the soundstage where Luke, Katy, and Lionel waited, it was clear to everyone that she was nervous. More than just her quiet mannerism gave this anxiety away; Just Sam shuffled around at first and bit at the inside of her cheek. She opened up with the Lauren Daigle hit "You Say," but her voice began to break quickly. Just Sam asked to start over again, but halfway through her request, tears and sobs interrupted the young singer's words.

Moved by this display of raw vulnerability, the judges rushed onto the stage and embraced Just Sam. Luke told the hopeful performer that everything would be fine, that she was amazing, that they all knew she would be amazing, and that now was her time. Once the trio returned to their seats, Katy said, "Sam, you're safe. So, you sing us a little bit of one other [song], and you bring it home, OK?"

Moved by the emotional support she'd received from the judges, Just Sam was able to finally find her comfort zone and believe in herself. This time, she decided to open up with a different song. Selecting one that she has heard and performed hundreds of times, Just Sam started to sing once more. It was quickly noticed that the song she chose was Andra Day's "Rise Up," which she proceeded to belt out flawlessly.

The judges were absolutely stunned by the performance. It was hardly suspected that somebody who made their living by singing in the subway system of New York could possibly go so unnoticed, especially in a world where everybody has a high-quality cell phone camera in their back pocket. The judges didn't have any negative things to say about the stellar performance.

"This is really, really important," Luke told her, "what you have in my opinion; a lot of people come through here, and they haven't lived the struggles like you have." The judges elaborated further, stating that Just Sam possessed all of the qualities in a voice that is able to tell a story with little effort and to deliver emotional qualities that only someone who has overcome adversity could understand.

Do you or your friends think that you can make money singing in the subway? What do you think of Just Sam's performance? We want to hear about it!