For Samantha Diaz, who goes by the name Just Sam, music has always been an escape. Often bullied at school for their appearance, the Harlem, New York native took refuge singing in subways. Back in 2020, they took those skills to the American Idol stage, eventually winning season 18. However, after parting ways with their label, Diaz returned to busking in subway stations to make ends meet. Recently, they opened up on social media after another devastating personal blow.

‘American Idol’ Champ Sobs Hysterically In Now-Deleted Instagram Video

Samantha Diaz took to Instagram last Saturday (Aug. 24) to remind their followers to “cherish their dogs.” Through heart-wrenching sobs, the American Idol winner revealed that their pitbull terrier Jaxon died at the hands of a “reckless driver.”

Compounding the tragedy, Diaz that the driver in question has yet to acknowledge the pain they caused.

“It sucks that the person who did this still hasn’t said anything about the situation,” they wrote in the caption. “They didn’t slow down or hit the brakes to avoid him, they didn’t try to swerve out of the way.”

In the now-deleted video, Diaz said the driver was “speeding and possibly under the influence,” making it so that Jaxson’s death “almost doesn’t feel like an accident.”

“I can’t help but question how someone could be not only so reckless on the road but careless as well,” they continued. ‘What if my dog was my child?? Lord!! I just hate that this happened.”

Just Sam’s Bumpy Post-‘Idol’ Journey

For Samantha Diaz, life as an American Idol champion certainly hasn’t been all roses. After their May 2020 victory, they signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records. However, the 25-year-old singer-songwriter left the label without releasing an album under them. In fact, they ended up having to pay the label to claim music they’d already recorded.

“I’m not even going to tell you guys the amount of money that I had to pay after leaving the label to claim songs that I had already recorded,” Diaz said. “I’m recording all the time or making music all the time, writing every day, doing what I have to do to survive.”