‘American Idol’ Alum Gabby Samone Teases New Music

“American Idol” season 23 contestant Gabby Samone says she plans to release new music soon. And her new songs will give fans more insight into who she is as an artist.

“A lot of people have seen my covers, but they still haven’t heard my original music,” Samone shared with Baltimore Beat. “They don’t know me yet, or who I am as an artist. I’m excited to share that with them.”

Although fans can look forward to hearing new tunes from Samone, her covers have been a huge hit. In May the artist released a studio version of her cover of Nina Simone’s “Four Women,” which she originally sang on “Idol.” 

Samone’s rendition garnered her lots of attention and won her some major celebrity fans. “… so many celebrities reposted it; Naomi Campbell and Taraji P. Henson showed love for it,” the singer shared. 

The song was a powerful choice for the “Idol” stage, and Samone understood that. “Singing about my skin being Black on ‘American Idol’ was a big risk,” she explained. “People needed [to see] that. We need to feel comfortable in our skin.”

Samone Wants to Represent Baltimore

Samone has a lot of love for her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland and wants to share it with the world. “I’m ready to show people that there’s more to Baltimore than the raunchiness and scary things shown on the news,” Samone said. “I feel excited to be one of the people to bring Baltimore with me.”

Samone is a big fan of other Baltimore artists as well, shouting out the legendary Billie Holliday and singer songwriter Brittney Spencer. “There’s a lot of talent that comes out of Baltimore, and people don’t even realize it,” she shared. 

Growing up in Baltimore helped shape Samone as a musician and as a person. Both of her parents were involved in outreach efforts of the church, helping single parents and feeding those in need. Samone eventually found her own way to reach others: “Music is my way.”

Samone Reunited With Fantasia

In May Samone performed at the Artscape festival in Baltimore where she reunited with one her own personal idols, Fantasia.

Samone posted a clip of the show on Instagram with the caption, “Full circle moment! Fantasia mentored me on this season of American Idol and yesterday I had the pleasure of performing and introducing her!” 

She continued, “One of the main reasons I am such a big fan of @fantasia is because she is not afraid to speak the word of God. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your set to speak life into me!”

Samone admitted that she was completely star struck when she first met Fantasia on “Idol.” “… I cried,” the singer told Baltimore Beat. “I said two words, and then I started crying.”