Just Sam wins ‘American Idol’ Season 3 on ABC

Just Sam
Photo: ABC

“American Idol” season 3 on ABC, crowned the next singing sensation live during the grand finale event on Sunday, May 17. Kicking off the finale event was the end of the road for Julia Gargano and Louie Knight with the Top 5 reveal. The Top 5 which were Dillion James, Arthur Gunn, Jonny West, Just Sam and Francisco Martin then each performed two songs as they fought to win the “American Idol” title. The first song was to celebrate their induction into the Top 5, and the second was a previously performed song and their new official “American Idol” single. Before America’s real-time vote determined the winner live on the East Coast broadcast, there were special performances from the “Idol judges, the return of the Top 11 and a fan favorite from this season. In the first TV performance of “We are the World” in 35 years, former Idols and judges Katy Perry and Luke Bryan join Lionel Richie to close the show with an Idol family performance dedicated to all the families at home around the world.

Grand finale performances included:

Academy Award® nominee Cynthia Erivo and the Top 11 to perform a medley of Aretha Franklin songs

GRAMMY winner Lauren Daigle performed her 3x platinum hit “You Say” with Just Sam.

Superstar vocal group Rascal Flatts and Doug Kiker performed “Bless The Broken Road”.

Luke Bryan performed his new single “One Margarita.”

Katy Perry performed her new single “Daisies” in its first-ever TV debut.

Lionel Richie performed “We are the World” joined by Idol judges and members of the “American Idol” family, including Alejandro Aranda aka Scarypoolparty, Fantasia, Gabby Barrett, Jordin Sparks, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Laine Hardy, Lauren Alaina, Phillip Phillips, Ruben Studdard and Scotty McCreery.

“American Idol”‘s Top 5 finalists included the following:
Arthur Gunn – Wichita, KS
Dillon James – Bakersfield, CA
Francisco Martin – Daly City, CA
Jonny West – Studio City, CA
Just Sam – West Hollywood, CA

Towards the end of the evening, the Top 2 were announced as Just Sam and Arthur Gunn. In the end, Just Sam took home the title as The American Idol 2020 winner. Just Sam 21, was raised in Harlem, NY by her grandmother would sing on the subway to pay her bills. Her new single “Rise Up” will be released on Monday, May 18th.

American Idol has been renewed for Season 4 on ABC for 2021.

Belinda Thomas