American Idol’ Winner Samantha ‘Just Sam’ Diaz Welcomes First Child: ‘So Grateful’
Five years after becoming the “American Idol” winner on season 18, singer Samantha Diaz — known to many fans as Just Sam — is a first-time mom. Diaz, 26, did not share any details or photos of the newborn, but posted a series of pics on Instagram from the hospital on August 24, 2025, to officially announce the baby’s birth.
“I am so grateful that I was able to bring my child into this world with my grandmother by my side,” Diaz wrote. “Her being there definitely made this moment even more special for me . Thank you LORD for blessing me with my beautiful baby 😭😭😭🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 #thankyoujesus #grateful #family”
It’s Not Clear What Day ‘American Idol’ Winner Samantha ‘Just Sam’ Diaz Became a Mom
It’s not clear when Diaz gave birth, given that the first hospital picture in the August 24 post was also shared in the singer’s Instagram Stories on August 11.
Diaz’s grandmother, who frequently appeared on “American Idol” when Diaz was in the throes of the competition, is featured in several photos at the hospital.
On August 19, Diaz posted two photos on TikTok — one pregnant and one not — and wrote, “Before I got pregnant VS after 😭😭 can’t believe that I’m a mother now and how fast time flew by like this . I’m so excited to see what this journey has in store for me and my little baby . God really did his big one with this 🤏🏾🥲”
Then, on August 23, Diaz posted a TikTok video, mouthing the words of dubbed audio that said, “I’m so proud of myself, I got eight hours of sleep. It took me three days, but I got eight hours.” Over the video, Diaz wrote “POV: You’re a first time mom 🥲”
Fans have flooded Diaz’s Instagram announcement with notes of congratulations and well wishes, including one who wrote, “CONGRATULATIONS NEW MOMMA. THAT’S THE GREATESTBLESSING OF ALL. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. LUCKY BABY GOING TO LISTEN TO THE BEST LULLBIES FROM MOMMIE’S BEAUTIFUL VOICE. ENJOY YOUR LITTLE BUNDLE OF JOY.😍🥰”
Samantha ‘Just Sam’ Diaz Announced Pregnancy in July 2025
News of the newborn’s birth comes just weeks after Diaz first revealed a baby was on the way, sharing a sonogram photo via Instagram on July 16, writing, “To have made it past viability week after years of trying to conceive is truly a blessing!!! Thank you Jesus for this gift.”
Diaz has experienced many unspecified health challenges since “American Idol,” including spending much of December 2024 in and out of the hospital. But in the pregnancy announcement, the singer celebrated being physically able to carry a child.
“I was told at just 20 years old that I may not be able to carry children of my own or that I may have to try IVF in order to have a successful pregnancy/birth,” Diaz explained. “The past couple of years , I have been trying on and off and let me tell you .. I was really starting to lose hope.”
The singer continued, “These past few months have been scary having to be in and out of the hospital, but being past viability week is such a great feeling and does bring a little relief to me. I’m so happy to be on this journey and I have been wanting this for so long and wasn’t sure this was even possible for me so I’m beyond grateful and beyond excited to be on this journey and path to MOTHERHOOD!!!!!”
“Viability week,” according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, can refer to the time when doctors expect a pregnancy will “continue developing normally” or when living outside the womb is survivable for a newborn, typically after at least 24 weeks of gestation.
Fans Have Helped Samantha ‘Just Sam’ Diaz Prepare With Online Registry
After fans requested an online registry to help Diaz prepare and afford necessities, Diaz posted an Amazon wishlist that still includes necessities like diapers, laundry detergent, and baby clothes. But the singer has issued many notes of gratitude as other gifts have arrived from supporters.
As of August 25, the registry still listed August 31 as the baby’s due date, and listed Diaz and “Heather C” as the parents.
In 2020, Diaz became the first non-binary winner of “American Idol,” per the Washington Post, and went by the name Just Sam. Discovered busking in the New York subway system, Diaz eventually returned to making money that way after a record deal with “American Idol” producers went south. Diaz did return to the show in 2024 to perform for the first time since winning.
