Why Hasn’t Just Sam Performed this Season on ‘American Idol’?
ABC Reading Time: 3 minutes
Season 19 of American Idol is full of excitement and big twists including the return of ten Season 18 contestants. Now, fans of the show are curious about what happened to last season’s winner Just Sam since there has been little mention of her this season. Will Just Sam get the chance to take the Idol stage like the rest of the comeback kids?
Just Sam Captivated ‘American Idol’ Viewers Before Winning Season 18
Sam was declared the winner of Season 18 last year after sharing her emotional story with the world. After being adopted by her grandmother and growing up in the projects, Sam came to Hollywood with one goal, to become the next American Idol.
During the virtual finale due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the subway singer performed a duet with former American Idol star Lauren Daigle.
Sam beat out Arthur Gunn for the win, and her fans waited to see what she would do next. They were shocked to find that she deleted most of the content from her Instagram for a brief period of time, and essentially disappeared from the music scene.
SEE ALSO: JUST SAM CELEBRATES NATIONAL NUDE DAY AFTER DELETING HER ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ PAST
Sam posted a topless Instagram photo to celebrate National Nude Day, one of the few photos that remained on her account after wiping it. She also signed a record deal with Hollywood Records/Industrial Media’s 19 Recordings, and released her first solo single, Africando, in March.
Africando is, let’s face it, a bop. Sam’s lyrics are personal, in an ode to her grandmother, and filled with cultural symbolism. Listeners can’t help but move to the beat of this joyous African-Caribbean tune.
The 22-year-old New York native has also restored her Instagram account. She even opened up about being a member of the LGBTQ+ community and her growing sense of self-confidence. Despite continued support for Sam and the release of her new single, fans are questioning: why hasn’t she been brought in to perform on Idol?
Why Hasn’t She Been Mentioned Much On Season 19?
Sam is one of the most likable and inspiring winners that American Idol has ever seen. On the show, she struck up a great relationship with fellow competitor Faith Becnel. The two even released a Christmas song together after the show. Becnel was one of the ten Season 18 contestants that were brought back in a recent episode called “The Comeback,” but Sam was not featured.
One of the returning contestants will earn a spot in this year’s Top 10 based on America’s votes. These contestants were granted this opportunity after Season 18 went entirely virtual last year for the live shows. Gunn was even brought back for a second shot at winning the show.
But should Sam be given a chance to perform live on the Idol stage? She still hasn’t been able to perform in person for the national audience and has not been given the same chance given to the comeback artists.
While it has not yet been announced who will be performing on the Season 19 American Idol finale in the next few weeks, we hope that Sam will be given the opportunity.
Laine Hardy received similar treatment with little to no mention of the country artist this season. His big Season 17 win was overshadowed by contestant Alejandro Aranda’s success under the artist name Scarypoolparty.
Hardy attempted to tour last year, but it was canceled due to COVID-19. He will give it another go starting this May.
What would you like to ask Just Sam if brought on the “Talent Recap Show”?