HARLEM, NEW YORK: Three years after winning 'American Idol' Season 18, Samantha 'Just Sam' Diaz, who returned to performing in New York City subways after their victory, has now opened up about their mental health. They informed fans that they have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The 24-year-old singer Just Sam, whose actual name is Samantha Diaz, gained fame after winning Season 18 of the well-known singing competition 2020.
Samantha sang on the New York City subway system before competing in the singing competition. Sam anticipated that after winning the contest, things would get better for them. However, this did not go as planned.
Diaz was crowned the winner while the world was grappling with lockdowns and Covid surges. With the entertainment industry brought to a halt, Sam Diaz found themself unable to fully capitalize on the opportunities traditionally afforded to 'American Idol' winners.
The close collaborations with record labels, songwriting sessions, and appearances were all put on hold, leaving Diaz in a precarious situation.
In a recent post, they opened up about their struggles and sent an important message to their followers. Diaz told followers that they had recently been diagnosed with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
They wrote in the caption of the video, "I made this video a while ago, but I never posted it because I didn’t want people to use this against me in any way or make fun of me but I honestly don’t care anymore. This has to be said. #mentalhealthawareness ‼️‼️"
'American Idol' Season 18 winner Just Sam takes to subway busking for money
The Harlem-born singer and songwriter has resumed performing on the NYC subway. After winning American Idol season 18 in May 2020, Sam went on to negotiate a record deal with the major American record label, Hollywood Records.
They did not, however, ever release any music under the record label before they terminated the contract and parted ways.
In their recent post, they asked people to "be mindful" of what they say to one another. Sam said, "You never ever know how much what you say can have an effect on someone." They also thanked their sister, grandmother and nephews for being there for them during this time.
The topic of returning to the NYC subway to perform was discussed by Just Sam in one of their Instagram stories. Diaz, who initially felt ashamed to reveal their current struggles, later opened up about their situation.
Just Sam posted a video singing the Beyonce hit song 'If I Were A Boy' on Instagram. At the time, the 24-year-old captioned the post, "I know that it makes a lot of people sad and many people are confused by me going back to busking for money, but please don’t worry. This is only part of the story; not the end of it," as per The Sun.
How much do 'American Idol' winners make from the show?
'American Idol' is one of the most popular singing competitions in the United States, and its winners have gone on to achieve great success in the music industry.
'American Idol' winners receive a cash prize of $250,000 for winning the competition. They also receive a recording contract with Hollywood Records, which is worth an estimated $1 million. This contract includes the recording, marketing, and distribution of their debut album, according to Distractify.
However, the actual amount that 'American Idol' winners make can vary greatly depending on their success after the show. Some winners have gone on to become multi-platinum-selling artists, earning millions of dollars from album sales, touring, and merchandise. Others have struggled to find success in the highly competitive music industry.
In addition to the cash prize and recording contract, American Idol winners also receive exposure and publicity from the show, which can be invaluable for launching their careers. They are also given the opportunity to perform on the 'American Idol' live tour, which can further boost their profile and earnings.
Where is 'American Idol' Season 21 winner William Tongi now?
18-year-old high school senior William Iam Tongi was crowned the Season 21 winner of 'American Idol'. Shortly after winning Idol, Tongi embarked on a tour that saw him reunite with fellow contestant Oliver Steele, who finished in the Top 8 and with whom Tongi formed a special bond during the competition.
Currently, Iam Tongi is on tour and one of his stops was at his home on Oahu for Ohana Day.
