Embracing Elliott

As much as Elliott Yamin’s fans embraced him in Richmond Friday, he returned the favor, literally, when he could. He hugged his way across the city.

The love-fest started early, with family waiting for him in the lobby of NBC 12 at 6:30. It continued on the set. “I’m so happy for you,” traffic reporter Tracy Lynn says, giving Yamin a squeeze. Next up, morning co-anchor Andrea McDaniel: “You’re such a sweetie.”

In the Q94 studio: “I went to go shake his hand and he grabbed me and gave me a hug,” Morning Q Zoo co-host Melissa Chase says. “That was just awesome.”

Downtown, meeting Mayor L. Douglas Wilder: hug.

Executive Mansion, greeting Gov. Tim Kaine: hug, the Associated Press reports.

The Diamond after batting practice, thanking bullpen catcher Doug Budryk: hug.

“When you see someone that’s that nice, you think — all right, is he really, really that nice?” Q94’s Chase says. “And he really is!”

“There are so many contestants that we could have had, that could have been from our home city,” she says. “We got so lucky.” — J.R.


Haha, Elliott is so cool B)

awesome...very cool, indeed. :D

Oh to be a city official that day, or a TV or radio show employee! *sigh*. I would do just about anything to get an Elliott hug.

:grouphug: