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First, the 22-year-old childcare specialist first stunned the judges on "American Idol," earning her golden ticket to Hollywood.
Now, on Monday afternoon, she will kick off the Orioles' season at by singing the National Anthem before the first pitch at an earlier-than-expected 2:35 p.m. start due to the incoming storm.
"Samone grew up singing in the choir of New Bethel Abundant Life Ministries, a church just blocks away from Oriole Park, where she fell in love with music," MLB officials said.
"Today, the pop and R&B singer takes inspiration from her Baltimore roots as she works toward her debut project."
Samone said before her breathtaking performance of Aretha Franklin's "Natural Woman" that she was inspired by another Idol alum, Jennifer Hudson, who reached out to her when she began posting on Instagram in 2020 after one of her videos went viral.
"She reached out to me and asked me to be on her show ... I grew up watching her, and for her to reach out to me was kind of super duper surreal ... And it makes me feel like I'm not doing this for nothing," she explained to the judges.
"After the show, she still wanted to keep in touch, so I asked her about American Idol and she said 'yeah, go for it.'"
A little nervous at first, Samone got her footing and floored the judges, who gave her a standing ovation, with Lionel Richie fighting back tears.
"You were nervous at first, but then you got un-nervous and the more un-nervous you got, I got a little chilly," Luke Bryan said while implying he had goosebumps.
"You have this little star thing ... You just look like a little star, and then you sing like a big star, and it's super exciting."
Samone was unanimously approved by the three judges, while her family stormed the stage to celebrate.
"You hit one note ... Then three notes ... and then, ladies and gentlemen, the room blew up," Richie added. "That was spectacular. You need to be heard."
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