It’s been four long years since the audience last saw Just Sam take the stage as the winner of American Idol. Back then, they were captivating viewers with their subway performances in New York City. Fast forward to April 28, and Sam made an unforgettable comeback to the show, delivering a performance that left everyone in awe.
At just 25 years old, Sam stood on the iconic stage once again, this time belting out Whitney Houston’s timeless classic, “One Moment in Time.” The energy in the room was electric, with the live audience and judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan hanging onto every note. This moment was especially poignant considering Sam’s journey through virtual performances during the live shows amid the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns.
After finishing the powerful rendition, Sam couldn’t help but express their gratitude. “This is way better than an iPhone from home,” they joked, eliciting laughter from the crowd. Host Ryan Seacrest then turned to the judges, asking them to share their thoughts on Sam’s performance.
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Heartfelt Reactions from the Judges
Katy Perry, ever the emotional one, had nothing but praise for Sam. “I ain’t got notes,” the 39-year-old said with a grin. “But, what I will say is, you one hundred percent deserve that confetti. It was long overdue and it looks so great on you. I’m just so proud of who you’ve become. You’ve grown into such an incredible artist and person.”
Luke Bryan, the country music superstar, echoed Katy’s sentiments. “I’m so glad you had your moment,” the 47-year-old added. “It’s so nice to sit here and hear your voice again in this room. You’ve gone 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. You’ve truly earned it.”
Lionel Richie, the legendary singer, brought the house down with his heartfelt words. “I’m so proud of you,” the 74-year-old said, his voice filled with emotion. “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. You’re destined for greatness.”
Sam’s Honest Journey: Back to the Subway
Sam has been open about their journey since winning American Idol. In a candid post on social media, they revealed that they had returned to singing in the NYC subways after the show. “Back in 2021, I was super embarrassed to be going back to the trains,” Sam wrote in a now-deleted Instagram caption, as reported by The Sun. “I didn’t want people to know that I legit needed the money, and I didn’t want people to know that it wasn’t optional. I was disappointed in myself for allowing myself to fall so low after winning Idol, but then I had to take it easy on me and remember that I started my journey with Idol at 20 years old. Not even knowing anything about Hollywood or the music industry.”
Sam continued, reflecting on their growth. “Since then, I have learned so much and I’ve been able to take my experiences and share them with other artists in hopes that they don’t experience the same things that I did when it comes to making it in this life. It’s been a journey, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
