Top 20 'Idol' Contestants of All Time - 14: Elliott Yamin
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- January
- 12
Thankfully, every once in a while on “American Idol,” there’s a contestant that no one expects to go very far and winds up with an inspiring, uplifting run.
I was a fan very early on of Elliott Yamin, the Virginia-bred man whose snaggle teeth almost distracted viewers from his pure voice. As nice as he appeared, there was no way, viewers said, he could go far in the competition. Not commercial, they claimed. Not polished, they asserted. Not Hicks, they maintained.
Week after week, Yamin survived, even surpassing Chris Daughtry—the guy who would go on to annihilate album sales records with his debut—in the competition. And in one of the closest races for second place in show history, Elliott just barely missed the cut, allowing Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee to vie for the title during a season top-heavy with talent.
After his memorable Season 5 finale duet with Mary J. Blige (still one of my favorite moments in “Idol” history), Yamin disappeared for a while, then surprised everyone again with a new set of chompers and his sleeper R&B track “Wait For You,” which Idolator cites as the “highest-charting ‘American Idol’ alum of (2007) who wasn’t Daughtry.”
Who knows what’s next for Yamin? Hopefully big things. But, if they are, try not to be surprised this time.
Also see:
– Top 20 ‘Idol’ Contestants of All Time – Epilogue-No. 1: Kelly Clarkson
-No. 2: Carrie Underwood
-No. 3: Chris Daughtry
-No. 4: Jennifer Hudson
-No. 5: Sanjaya Malakar
-No. 6: William Hung
-No. 7: Clay Aiken
-No. 8: Fantasia Barrino
-No. 9: Blake Lewis
-No. 10: Tamyra Gray
-No. 11: Jordin Sparks
-No. 12: Melinda Doolittle
-No. 13: Bo Bice
-No. 15: Ruben Studdard
-No. 16: Katharine McPhee
-No. 17: Taylor Hicks
-No. 18: Diana DeGarmo
-No. 19: Frenchie Davis
-No. 20: Lisa Leuschner
-Top 20 intro and criteria/Honorable Mentions (Nos. 21-31)
(Photo courtesy of FOX.)
This entry was posted
on Saturday, January 12th, 2008 at 1:00 pm by Chris Serico.
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Elliott Yamin is #1 in my book!
Elliott was my favorite, still is my favorite and will always be my favorite. He's a sweetie and boy can he sing. I melt everytime I hear his voice.
elliott is avery talented and smart man. Is there a way to see the whole list?
Elliott might have not win, but he definitely deserves more than #14. He should be among the Top5.
Elliott is a fantastic talent who will be around a long time. The voice cuts to the soul, he is a genuinely good guy who is using he celebrity for a good cause and certainly deserves all the best in his career. He is timeless. I agree TOP 5.
You need to check out his new song One Word. Also his Christmas CD is great.
Even more amazing to me is that he went that far (and is as talented as he is) being 90% deaf in one ear! I was in the Daughtry camp that season, but Elliot was my 2nd favorite. His album is REALLY good also.
Elliott Yamin's the "most (Emazing) male vocalist in the history of American Idol EVER!!!" He's THAT with me 4-EVA, EMAZING in every way!!! He has everlasting star power that will keep shining brightly!!!
I can see Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken before Elliott, but Sanjaya Malakar and William Hung, never! He should had been at least on the top 10!
I agree, and don't think Elliott should have been ranked below some of the others (Sanjaya or William Hung – are ya' kiddin'). Happy to see he made the list. All of his success comes without a big label behind him. He is just a great performer. I am an Elliott fan forever!!!
Elliott is the best contestant ever on AI..
I love him, his humility and HIS VOICE!!!
His c.d is amazing…. just love it!!
Elliott was # 1 since I heard that haunting tone of his. Rare and blessed this guy is with complex vocals that keep me interested and love his unique style and vocal runs.. Elliott woke me up to music again. I was not expecting anyone like Elliott to come around . I thought I had heard it all. Elliott was a big surprise to me too.. so glad he went on AI . Plus Elliott is a great human being, humble, real and thankful.
Elliott Yamin is BY FAR the BEST singer to EVER come
from American Idol. His career may have started slow
but I'm convinced he'll be a superstar very soon.
Can't wait to hear him on Randy Jackson's new CD being
released March 11th.
Amazing that this list would have Elliott as #14. First six should include Elliott, Kelly, Fantasia, JHud, Ruben, Clay…in that order! Sorry, I am not a Carrie Underwood fan at all, I actually prefer Kellie Pickler's voice to hers. Carrie has been successful, am happy for her, but her voice is very forgettable to me.I have bought both Elliott's CDs, they are fantastic pieces of work. If nothing else, the world owes AIdol limitless thanks for bring Elliott to our notice.
I CANNOT wait for more music from Elliott. Great great singer.
He's AI's BEST!
I love Elliott. He's number one in my book.