Just Sam Wins American Idol

The American Idol finale happened remotely, for the first time ever. If you haven’t followed this season, the show aired as normal (most of the first half of the season was pre-recorded months ago, pre-coronavirus). However, when it came time for the live episodes, due to the pandemic, the episodes were all recorded remotely.

Each contestant performed their songs from their current place of residence. The finale had the three front runners advance to the final 5. Those three were: Arthur Gunn, Johnny West & Just Sam.

The final two contestant, Arthur Gunn & Just Sam, sat remotely as Ryan Seacrest announced the winner: Just Sam. Just Sam (real name Samantha Diaz), is a 21-year old NYC subway singer. Here is Just Sam’s winning performance.

While the finale was a bit shocking (Arthur Gunn was what seemed to be the clear front runner), even Just Sam seemed a bit thrown off. Sam lives with her grandmother in Harlem, but because of the virus, chose to stay in LA to help not spread it to her family, if she had it.

“Can I thank America now?” Just Sam asked. “Thank you so much, America, I would have never, ever, ever expected this,” she said. “Thank you, thank you, thank you for voting.”