Penny Samar: South Williamsport Native on American Idol
Born Christina Samar, Penny Samar, a South Williamsport native and West Chester University alumna, is making waves on American Idol Season 23. Her heartfelt performances and unique style have quickly garnered attention.
Biography
Born and raised in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Penny Samar (née Christina Samar) has been immersed in music from a young age. Her journey began with dance in kindergarten, followed by active participation in theater throughout her school years. Transitioning to pop music, she has carved a niche for herself as a singer-songwriter.
Penny Samar’s Profile Summary
- Full Name: Christina Samar
- Stage Name: Penny Samar
- Age: 23 years
- Birthdate: August 10, 2001
- Parents: David Samar
- Siblings: Payton Samar
- Education: West Chester University
- American Idol Audition: Pink Pony Club
- Instagram: @pennysamar
Penny Samar Age and Birthday
Born on August 10, 2001, Samar is 23 years (age as of March 2025). She celebrates her birthday on August 10th.
Penny Samar Parents
Samar’s father/dad is David Samar and her mother Mrs. Samar. She a brother, Payton Samar, who played collegiate football. Samar’s stage name, “Penny,” is a tribute to her grandmother, reflecting a deep familial bond.

Penny Samar Ethnicity
Penny’s ethnicity hasn’t been publicly specified.
Penny Samar Height
Samar stands at a height measurement of approximately 5 feet and 4 inches.
Education
Penny Samar is a proud alumna of West Chester University, where she was among the first to earn a degree in studio composition from the Wells School of Music. During her time there, she was deeply involved in various musical endeavors, showcasing her dedication and passion for the craft. Moreover, she went South Williamsport Area School District for her high school education.
Penny Samar Job
Christina “Penny” is a vocal coach with over 4 years of professional teaching experience.
Songs
Penny has showcased her versatility by covering songs like “I Don’t Know My Name” by Grace VanderWaal and “birds of a feather” by Billie Eilish. These performances highlight her vocal prowess and ability to connect with diverse musical styles.
American Idol
Penny Samar’s (Christina Samar) journey on American Idol Season 23 has been noteworthy. For her audition, she chose Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club,” a song that resonates with her personal style. Embracing the song’s theme, she affectionately refers to her supporters as the “Pink Penny Club” and has even launched merchandise to celebrate this identity. Her audition airs on March 23, 2025, at 8 p.m. on NBC, stay tuned to catch it.
Will she earn a golden ticket to Hollywood? Tune in on Sunday, streaming next-day on Hulu, to find out!
American Idol Season 23 Contestants
Penny competes with other talents on American Idol season 23. They include:
- Baylee Littrell: Country singer, Brian Littrell’s son
- Filo Ebid: R&B artist with a Platinum Ticket
- Amanda Barise
- Josh King
- Carsen Webb
- Mattie Pruitt
- Sonny Tennet: UK singer with a soulful hit
- Thunderstorm Artis: Deep-voiced performer
- Victor Solomon: The Voice season 20 contestant
- Mikey Jimenez aka MKY
- Olivier Bergeron: a French Canadian
- Zaylie Windsor
- Breanna Nix
- Drew Ryn
- Gabby Samone
- Grayson Torrence
- Kolbi Jordan: Platinum Ticket awarded at a Tennessee Titans game
- Kyana Fanene
- Canaan
- Che Chesterman
- Desmond Roberts
- Isaiah “Makk” Misailegalu
- Jamal Roberts
- John Foster
Fans can follow Penny’s musical journey on Instagram at @pennysamar, where she shares updates, performances, and glimpses into her life.