Where are the American Idol winners now?

Just Sam won season 18 in May 2020. The final episodes of the season took place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They signed with Hollywood Records after winning the show, but did not release any albums with them. They have released five non-album singles independently.

In April 2023, Just Sam began posting videos of themselves singing on the New York City subway on instagram. “In 2021, he was very ashamed to return to trains. He did not want people to know that he legitimately needed the money and did not want people to know that it was not optional,” they wrote. in a since-deleted Instagram caption, per Sun.

“I was disappointed in myself for allowing myself to sink so low after winning ‘Idol,’ but then I had to take it easy and remember that I started my journey with ‘Idol’ at the age of 20. I didn’t even know anything about Hollywood or the industry.” music,” they continued. Just Sam also said that one day they will tell the full story of him, but added for now: “I know that everything happens for a reason and I know that this too shall pass no matter how things look right now.”