'American Idol' Season 18 Episode 6: Subway singer Just Sam melts hearts with her voice and lucky tip box
The newest episode of 'American Idol' just aired on Monday night and we witnessed a massive shift in operations. It's now Hollywood week, so the aspiring Idol contestants have to bring their very best to the table in order to compete with the finest talent in the nation.
One contestant who overcame all the odds to make it through the initial audition process was Samantha Diaz aka Just Sam, a struggling young subway singer from Harlem, New York. Abandoned by her parents at an early age and raised by her grandmother in the Frederick Douglass projects of Manhattan, the young black songstress turned to singing on the city's numerous subway trains as a way to make money.
The judges were moved by her incredible backstory and resilience, but what stood out the most during her emotional preliminary audition was the character and heartbreak evident in Just Sam's soulful voice. Considering that she had hurdled over every obstacle that had come her way thus far, the judges didn't hesitate to give her the golden ticket to LA after seeing her break down in tears.
Now finding herself for the very first time in the glamourous district of Hollywood, the self-confessed cry baby certainly took some time to adjust to the new experience. But Sam brought a good luck charm with her — her donation box from her subway singing days in which people could deposit money after hearing her sing. Sam had brought the box along as an emotional support anchor, saying that it reminded her of her days singing on the trains, somewhere she felt most comfortable. It would be a perfect reminder of where she came from and the fantastic journey she was now undertaking.
When it came time to singing, Sam was just fabulous. Choosing to perform 'Hearts Ain't Gonna Lie' by Arlissa, Sam nailed the pain and heartbreak in the song, telling a story worth a thousand words with every powerful note.
She left it all out on the stage and the judges were thoroughly impressed and moved by her rendition. They were so spellbound that Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie even hopped onstage and deposited some crisp 20 dollar bills in her lucky tip box.
Fans on social media were raving about her performance. "Just Sam is not just singing notes, she is an artist sharing a life story," said one amazed viewer.
Another fan who absolutely loved her performance said, "Just Sam has such a cool story and an incredible voice. This girl has a passion for singing. I am here for the #subwaysinger #AmericanIdol."
It's clear to see that her rags-to-riches story and compelling voice are earning her a trainload of new fans. We can't wait to see what Just Sam sings next in the future Hollywood rounds.