Just Sam Says Her Faith Helped Her Through Her Time on ‘American Idol’

21-year-old vocalist Just Sam has made history from the comfort of her bedroom, as she was crowned the Season 18 winner of American Idol “at home” last month.

As a former subway singer in New York, Just Sam defied all odds to win the competition. With her mother in jail, Sam was adopted by her grandmother Elizabeth at six years old. The two lived together in Harlem, fighting everyday ensure there was food on the table, a roof over their heads and clothes on their backs. Growing up a tomboy, Sam frequently changed her style. So much so that in high school, her classmates didn’t know how to categorize her. She wasn’t a girl, she wasn’t a boy, she was Just Sam.

Sam has the kind of soul that radiates through dark times and situations. Throughout the season, Just Sam has shown both her vulnerability and fearlessness in her songs and interviews. Her soaring emotional dedications to her grandmother, such as “Believe” (American Idol alumnus Fantasia) left nary a dry eye, while surprise choices like “Como La Flor” (Selena Quintanilla) demonstrated her fearless metamorphosis into a superstar. At the finale on May 17, 2020, singing a heartfelt rendition of “Rise Up” (Andra Day), it was no coincidence that she won the hearts of America during one of the country’s most difficult times.

Celeb Secrets had the chance to speak with Just Sam soon after her win, and was equal parts impressed and inspired by her passion, faith, and courage. Keep scrolling to read our full Q&A with the 21-year-old, where she talks about the historic win, how her faith helped her get through the competition and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKLG7UYw9Fg

Celeb Secrets: Congrats, what an accomplishment! How are you feeling?

Just Sam: “I feel great, it’s finally starting to sink in a little bit and I feel great, I feel blessed. I don’t know how it happened you know, but I am grateful and I’m kinda just ridding this wave and seeing where it leads me.”

CS: Well I have to say seeing you from the start to the end was so moving, you could so easily recognize your humility and what an incredible talent that you are. So thank you for blessing us all with that, it was amazing to watch.

JS: “You know thank you for saying that. Some people, they will look at me and they won’t see that, and you did. So I appreciate that and I appreciate all the people who see that side of me.”

CS: Well it was very obvious to me! And when you prayed, oh my goodness it melted my heart, we need that right now.

JS: “That is literally why I went there.”

CS: Really?

JS: “Of course it was for the audition too! But the point of me going there and making it to Washington was like, alright, if people across the world see me praying with Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, they’re going to be inspired to turn there life over to Christ, to confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and they might even say the prayer along with me. That was the point of me walking into that room. So if I didn’t make it passed that, I would have been great, as long as they prayed with me.”

CS: That’s so cool. I’m a fellow Christian so that really moves my heart and I feel like there is a movement right now. I don’t know exactly what it is, but I’ve been swearing that in the music industry Jesus is breaking through. He is definitely doing that with you. That’s why you’re in the position that you’re in, like I’m sure you’ve known in your heart His plans for you were to move people in some way or another.

JS: “I asked God last year — I started praying so hard when I started to going to my church the Rock — I was surrounded by so many people who were on fire for God and literally do anything to spread the love of Christ and the Word of God. We evangelized but even that didn’t feel like enough for me. I wanted to do more, so I prayed, and I really would cry to God like, ‘use me, please I want to be used, I want to do more in the Kingdom, so whatever way it is please use me in Jesus name.’ And I would pray that for days when I started going to the church and now here I am. I’m just grateful to be able to be a testimony to young girls, and to people across the world, its’ such a blessing. And you know growing up I’ve had it rough, but I remember almost like thinking to myself, I don’t feel like this is where I’m supposed to be. I don’t feel like this is where my grandmother is supposed to be. There’s more that needs to be happening. I just felt like we should have been doing more. We shouldn’t have been living where we were living. Just all the things, it’s just like now all those things are going to change and I’m just so grateful. And it’s all by God’s Grace, you know.

CS: It’s so incredible to see how every bit of your story, even you saying that you didn’t feel like you should have bene in the position you were in, has lead you to be such an inspiration for so many people. Anyone who has a desire and passion in their heart, not just for God but for anything and any dream, you are giving them that spark they need to see they can do it. Even watching your audition and seeing that moment where you took that second and restarted, I think that’s honestly why you won. Why you touched so many people, because you can tell when you sing, it’s your spirt. You’re using your voice as a vehicle, as a vessel, and that radiates.

JS: “You know it’s so crazy that you say that because it reminded me, that even from the start of the audition for American Idol, it started in Brooklyn New York, I prayed a certain prayer before each round of the competition. Even up til the end to be honest with you. The prayer was — actually I’ll be honest with you I don’t remember doing it from home — but In Hawaii, all the way back to my first audition in Brooklyn, I asked God to sing for me. I said, ‘God you sing for me, you audition for me because you can’t lose.’ That would be my prayer and I would literally let go, and like in Hollywood Week I had no voice. I don’t know how sound came out to even speak that day. And I just feel like it was so God. I drank one cup of tea, I prayed. And when I got on stage I was hitting notes that I couldn’t hit literally the morning of the performance. And I was like, wow. It was like watching myself. Then hearing the response I was like, “wow you did that God, go team Jesus.”

CS: I’m feel you! I had the pleasure of speaking with the winner of ‘The Voice’ the other day. I don’t know if you followed that but he is a pastor, which just goes to show how Jesus is moving. Moving and shaking through you and through him, I don’t know, I could talk about this for days.

JS: “In Hollywood Week I was standing in a place where the parents were sitting. I wasn’t feeling well so I had to keep running back and forth to the bathroom. There was a moment where i was sitting there and listening to people sing. And after, there were like ten people that went on while I was downstairs and I just started crying. And I just said, ‘Wow God, these are Your people and this is Your creation. So many different people, so many different voices. And I watched those people, and I feel like almost every one of them thanked or mentioned God playing a part in them being on stage. And almost all of them made it to Top 20. Like me, Travis, Elijah, Faith, Demi, a few of us were just talking about how a lot of us are really just spiritual warriors.”

CS: 100% that’s so cool. That makes me so happy. For me, getting into entertainment was to be a vessel. So when I hear these stories in other people it makes my heart so full. So obviously now that you’ve won do you have any songs that you’re writing or what’s next?

JS: “Yes, I’ve been so looking forward to meeting with Hollywood Records now that I’m signed with them. ‘Rise Up’ was released last month. And I’ve been working towards making songs that are similar to ‘Rise Up.’ I want to make music that will encourage people throughout this time, motivate people to keep fighting throughout this time, and inspire people, you know? I don’t want all of this to have been for nothing. I’m so ready to get to the music. I’m ready to get stuff out, I’m ready to make peoples day with just one lyric. I’m excited because we’re about to come out with some new music and I’m sure everyone will love it. Just because it’s coming from the heart.”

CS: That’s going to be amazing. And what was it like going through this entire process during quarantine? I mean it’s never been done before. No-one could have predicted it or expected it but how was that experience for you?

JS: “Well first of all, I expected to do it on a stage. So I was like, ‘wow this is not how I imagined it growing up.’ But I was kind of like, ‘you know what, this is actually kind of cool.’ We were scared of the show being canceled. And you know I would have been crushed if the show was canceled or postponed, because we just all just so happy. We had just come from Hawaii a couple weeks prior to that and then pandemic happening. It was different when we heard it at first it was like, ‘wow what do you mean?’ But then it was more like, ‘ya I like a challenge, let’s see where this takes us, let’s see how this turns out.’ I didn’t even know how this was going to look on TV after awhile. But I think American Idol production did so well with piecing the episodes together, and you know, really just trying. You know the point of continuing doing this show during this time was to bring families together. Because it is a family show, and I think they really did succeed on that part because there were so many people on my page saying, ‘we love you, our family loves you, and same with the other Idols.’ They had families rooting for them. I feel like if it were a regular American Idol season, people would be split up, and it would be like, they’re not with their families to watch it. You know someone would be coming from work and probably watching on DVR, or coming from school. I feel like if the show were to have continued the way it was supposed to be, we would not have the opportunity to bring people together, spread love and light during a very serious time for America.

CS: Yeah totally, and I can’t help but think again, the main song that you sang was “Rise Up” and that’s the sort of inspiration people need now. Not that they wouldn’t need it during a regular season but the fact that you were the winner during quarantine I just cant help but think there was a reason for it all.

JS: “Yes trust me, same. For me it’s no coincidence, everything happens for a reason, and I’m a firm believer in that. Somedays I’ve been feeling like, ‘should I have gotten this, should it have been someone else?.’ There were so many people who could have gotten it. And then it’s like, Sam, you know what if this wasn’t for you, God wouldn’t have allowed it. I just feel like whatever it is that He wants from me, it’s going to happen. I don’t know how. But like I prayed last year, I’m just allowing him to use me and in Jesus name, I’m walking down the right path.”

CS: Yup you definitely are. Keep your arms open and just keep letting it happen to you. The second you come to perform in LA I’m there! As soon as we get to get back to that. I’m so excited to see where you’re going to go.

So anyway, our outlet is called Celeb Secrets, so I have to conclude this interview with asking you for a secret. Just something that fans might not know about you! So if you can think of anything….

JS: “Hmmm, I’m just so blunt I’m like, are there any secrets in you?’ I feel like it’s all out on the table already, but I used to steal food and clothing when I needed it, and I used to be embarrassed of that. And I still kinda am, that’s the only secret that I can think of, but like I’m ashamed of that ahhh.”

CS: Well I think that vulnerability is awesome. We don’t have to share anything you’re uncomfortable with I just want to set that precedence. If you want to say one or not, it is no pressure. But thank you for saying that. And you shouldn’t feel ashamed, things happen. And just the person that you are, your heart is so good. And for you to even be able to say that like look, I came from here and now I’m here, you can do it too. I think you’re phenomenal!

JS: “I think you’re phenomenal!”

CS: Well thank you! We can’t wait to see where you’re going to go. Best of luck, not that you need it. And again, we’ll be following you on your journey and thank you for blessing all of our eyes and ears and hearts!

JS: “Of course thank you for being sweet! Its’ easy to be mean. And people really choose the easy route.”