In May 2020, Just Sam wrapped season 18. The final episode of the season was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He signed with Hollywood Records after winning the show, but did not release any albums with them. They have released five non-album singles independently.
In April 2023, Just Sam began posting videos of himself singing in the New York City subway on Instagram. “Back in 2021, I was too embarrassed to get back on the trains. I didn’t want people to know I legally needed the money and I didn’t want people to know it wasn’t optional, he wrote in a since-deleted Instagram caption to The Sun.
“I was disappointed with myself for letting myself stoop so low after winning ‘Idol’, but then I had to take it easy and remember that I started my journey with ‘Idol’ when I was 20. didn’t know anything about Hollywood or the music industry,” he continued. Just Sam also said that they would one day tell their full story, but added for now, “I know that everything happens for a reason and I know that this too shall pass no matter how things seem right now.”