May 19, 2006

Elliott Yamin Is A Class Act All The Way

There is one word that comes foremost to mind when describing recently eliminated American Idol finalist Elliott Yamin and that is class. Elliott Yamin handled a recent conference call with the media with the dignity and grace of a seasoned professional. When Elliott was told by Ryan Seacrest that he was eliminated, he appeared to be completely at peace. Elliott described the moment to media, “Why not be happy? What’s there to be upset about? This is just the best thing I’ve ever done in my life for myself, for my family. For all intents and purposes, I’ve had the time of my life. Why not show it, let it show. It’s been great.”

Elliott’s humble nature came through when responding to a question about Simon Cowell’s comment that he was potentially the best male vocalist that the show has ever had. While many singers might be tempted to let such a comment go to their heads, Elliott showed he was a very grounded individual. Elliott responded, “I can’t believe that he actually said something that awesome to me. At the same time, a lot of people around the country, media-wise, and just friends and family, they all failed to realize that he did use that word “Potential.” I’m the kind of type that I’m always thinking that there’s always room to grow and room to learn and room to get better. And I love the fact that he said, “Potential” because I had to remind everybody really quickly. Not myself because I heard what he said, but I had to remind a lot of people very quickly that he was talking about potential. And that’s a good thing. I’m used to being labeled as the person, or the kid, with a lot of potential, and I feel like I’m reaching that everyday that I live. And I’m getting closer to that, and I’m trying to reach that everyday.”

More proof that success has not gone to Elliott’s head is that after he was eliminated he remembered to thank the people behind the scenes. Elliott told reporters, “After the show was great. I did a bunch of exit interviews. I got to hug a lot of the staff and thank them dearly from my heart how truly blessed I’ve been to have been a part of this season. And there’s so many wonderful people behind the scenes who are maybe underappreciated and don’t get recognized like we do. Without those people, I wouldn’t have made it as far as I did. And so, I just got a chance to really hug and thank all them. And got to see my mom and hug her and give her a big old kiss. She was just tickled with pride. Saw my brother, gave him a big hug and kiss. Everybody was crying, of course. It was just, it was just great. It was a great celebration.”

When asked to share a behind the scenes secret, Elliott Yamin gave the scoop on why the judges often appear to be looking down. Elliott said “Well, here’s a little something. I don’t know if it’s as juicy as you want it to be, but when you’re watching the judges on TV, and you’re wondering why they’re not looking at the performer, at the performance, and they’re looking down, they’re looking down at a monitor. And they’re looking, on that judges’ table, there’s three monitors, one in front of each judge, on the table there. And it’s the monitor. What appears on that monitor is what appears on TV. So they’re basically watching what America’s watching, and Simon is really, he’s really infamous for that, for looking down a lot. And he just wants to see how we’re being portrayed on TV, in front of America. And so, if it looks as though he’s not paying attention, or he’s not listening, that’s not the case. They’re always looking down at those monitors. Not always, but when they’re looking down, they’re looking down at those monitors just to see how we come across in everyone’s living rooms.”

In regards to his fellow contestants, Elliott had nothing but compliments. Elliott said “I feel that I’ve grown a lot, and I’ve learned a lot from them as far as how to be on stage, how to present my performance. I’m still learning to this day, but they’ve been great models for that aspect of the show, and I have nothing but the utmost respect for both of them. I’m really close with Taylor, and that’s my dog, man. We’re going to be friends for life. And all of us are. We’ve all formed a great bond.”

Elliott also had kind words to say about the South and his home state of Virginia. Elliott said “You know, the south is a great place to be, and I’m proud to represent it. Virginia’s kind of right on that borderline of north and south. But you know, I think that we definitely represented, this show has definitely represented the southern part of the country this season. There are quite a few of us, even in the top ten, from that vicinity, where I live. It’s great. It’s great to know that there’s so much talent in that part of the country and that it was finally, it was actually discovered. I love being from Virginia. I love being a Virginian, and I’m proud to be from there and represent them. They all represent me well, as well. The south is definitely strong.”

Elliott’s mom became a celebrity in her own right as she supported her son during the competition. Elliott talked about what having her with him meant, “It made a huge difference. It meant the world to me. When I first came out here to Hollywood, for the Hollywood round, she was quite ill. I remember, the last vision I had before I left home was saying goodbye to her in the ICU, and she wasn’t even coherent. And she never actually knew that I was going, or gone, or leaving, and that I was on my way to start this amazing, incredible journey. She’s been as big of an inspiration to me as anyone. I’ve been able to feed off that and to just look out in the audience and see how proud she is. It’s just, it’s great. It’s just a great feeling. I’ve always strived to, I think all of us, I think we all, as kids, as sons and daughters, we always strive to make our parents proud. I’ve always felt like I, I’ve always kind of, I’ve always been looking for that. I’ve always wanted to make her proud, and I think I’m doing that now, and it’s evident. She just exudes this pride and love for me when she’s out there. And I see that, and I feel that, and it fuels me. And it’s just been awesome to have been able to share this entire experience with her. I’m so glad she got to come home with me. I thought that was a great Mother’s Day gift for her, just to experience that with me. God, she’s such a trooper.”

Elliott also expressed very eloquently how he has grown during the competition. Elliott explained, “Before this contest started, I was lost. I was still trying to find my way as a human being, as an employee, as a, all of the above. And now, I’ve just, I just feel like I’ve grown a lot with confidence. I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. I’ve actually followed through with something for a change in my life, and that’s something that I haven’t been used to, or accustomed to, over the past, well, over my adulthood life. It’s just a very humbling experience. I’m more responsible now. I’m more patient now. I’m all of the above, anything you can think of to better yourself, to change and to better yourself, I’ve gone through that. I’m a better man for it. It’s just amazing to know how many people that I’ve touched and that I’ve inspired and knowing I can continue to do that, and knowing that I’ve planted an awesome seed for my future. I can honestly say I think I know what I’ll be doing in the next couple years. And as early as a year ago, I couldn’t have told you that. I couldn’t have said, I’ll be doing this is a couple years, or I’ll be doing this, or I want to accomplish this by this amount of time. I’ve been able to find a career and find my niche. And that’s just very special. That’s something I’ve never experienced before.”

Reality TV Magazine is your source for American Idol news. For other great American Idol news, please also check out SirLinksALot: American Idol or SirLinksALot: Elliott Yamin.

(sobbing again)
Great article! Thanks for posting! :thud:

I'm no one's FANatic, you'll never see me screaming my head off for anybody 'famous' - does not necessarily make me better than those who do but that's just me. Elliott Yamin is the kind of MAN, imperfect as I'm sure he is, that really, really wins my respect, admiration and loyalty in as far as fandom goes.

Good man, awesome talent - warmly wish him the very best the entertainment industry can offer, wealth, success, personal fulfilment and the ability to give back as I know he wants to.

I'm confident that wholesome humble attitude will stay with him as he grows in confidence and artistry. Bless you my brother.

Mark - fan for life.

Thanks for posting that article, it really moved me. The title says it all, Elliott Yamin is a class act all the way. He has the most humble and gracious attitude, and I love him for it. What he said in the last paragrah is beautiful, and it does make me feel somewhat better. Elliott, you will forever be our American Idol. :wub:

Elliott has only just begun to show the WOLRD his potential!! Look out world...the R Train is coming to town!

Just when I thought I regained my composure,I had to read this.What can I say ,Elliott moves me. I willbe behind him forever! He can record 'Twinkle.twinkle", & I'd buy it!!!! :yes:

Great article. Elliott is a FINE human being (in more ways than one hee hee). The world needs more people like him.

I did see his exit video where he said this, but the article gives us what was edited. Love it, love Elliott! I think when he becomes successful he will never be one that doesnt say please and thank you to everything that is done for him. It will never become natural to dismiss the little guy on the side. He knows, he's been there!! God bless Elliott.Hope he becomes an inspiration to everyone around him. I know somepeople could use his approach! :D