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Yamin was born in Los Angeles, California to an Israeli father of Iraqi Jewish descent, Shaul Yamin, and a Jewish American mother of Ashkenazi descent, Claudette Goldberg. He ocated to Richmond, Virginia with his family when he was 11 years old. His parents divorced when he was 14 and his father moved back to Los Angeles. Elliott has resided in Los Angeles since competing in the fifth season of American Idol.
 
Yamin first discovered his vocal talent while singing karaoke in his late teens. Although he had not been musically trained, he sang in a local jazz band and in amateur performance forums emulating Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and Donny Hathaway. He attended Douglas S. Freeman High School in Richmond, Virginia. He dropped out of high school in his sophomore year, but later achieved a high school graduation equivalence certificate while working in one of the many jobs he held before auditioning for American Idol.
 
Yamin is 90% deaf in his right ear, and was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes at the age of 16. He wears an insulin pump to help him manage his diabetes.
 
American Idol

Yamin auditioned in Boston, Massachusetts singing Leon Russell's "A Song for You", but his audition was not aired. He was sent through by the judges and made it through to the finals of the competition.
 
During one weekly rehearsal, Elliott was told by guest coach Stevie Wonder that he should definitely pursue a career in music. Simon Cowell even stated that he thought Yamin was "potentially the best male vocalist" ever on American Idol and later, after Yamin's "A Song for You" performance, he declared that it was a "vocal masterclass." Entertainment Weekly.com ranked his performance of "A Song For You" as the 3rd greatest "Idol" performance of all time on their top 10 best American Idol performances from the first 5 seasons. Cowell also said after Yamin's performance of "Moody's Mood For Love" that Yamin's song selection might be "too cool for the room."
 


 
Yamin was eliminated from American Idol on May 17, 2006 after the tightest race; each of the three top contestants received an almost exactly equal percentage of the viewer votes necessary for advancement to the remaining two spots. Critic reviewers and radio DJs in general seem to like Yamin's humble personality and soulful voice, and many of them have often stated that he was robbed in the show, and he should have definitely won the whole lot.
 
American Idol Performances

"If You Really Love Me" (Stevie Wonder) The judges loved his performance. Jackson called him a hot one and brilliant, Abdul said it was a great performance since beginning to end, and Cowell called him potentially the best male vocalist in the show in five seasons.
 
"Moody's Mood For Love" (James Moody) Jackson gave Yamin a stand-up ovation, Abdul said his performance was brilliant, and Cowell said although he was growing on confidence and gave a great performance, he "can't win a show like this with a song like that".
 
"Heaven" (Bryan Adams) Jackson said he would sign Yamin right after his performance, and Abdul called him phenomenal, amazing and fantastic. Cowell though said it was a copout and for the first time there was a disconnect between Yamin and the song.
 
Stevie Wonder - "Knocks Me Off My Feet" (Stevie Wonder) Jackson said it wasn't Yamin's best performance but at the end it was good. Abdul loved his passion, and Cowell said it lacked of originality and lacked the "wow" factor, although it was a good rendition. Guest Stevie Wonder confessed to be impressed with Yamin, and said he should definitely choose singing as a profession.
 
Songs of the '50s - "Teach Me Tonight" (Al Jarreau) Jackson said Yamin chose the toughest song of the night and he worked it out. Abdul said she was moved by his performance, and Cowell said it was fantastic. Guest Barry Manilow said Yamin sings great but should keep remembering him about the story on the song.
 
Songs of the 21st Century - "I Don't Want To Be" (Gavin DeGraw) Jackson and Paula liked the performance and the arrangements, Jackson calling Yamin a hot one, while Abdul called him "a funky white boy". Cowell said: "great song, terrible arrangement, good vocals and hideous dancing"; Ryan Seacrest liked the equation.
 
Country Songs - "If Tomorrow Never Comes" (Garth Brooks) Jackson said the competition finally started with Yamin's rendition. Abdul called him humble, understated and stated he has a reckless abandon. Cowell called it safe and thought Yamin was nervous that night, which Yamin agreed. Guest Kenny Rogers thought Yamin could do great with the song.
 
Queen - "Somebody to Love" Jackson said he sang the hardest song and loved it despite some pitch problems. Abdul said he was the best vocals of the night and said it was his best performance so far. Cowell agreed in that Yamin chose the tough one and he pulled it off. Guests Brian May and Roger Taylor (Queen members) thought Yamin chose the tough one that night and did a good job.
 
Songs from The Great American Songbook - "It Had to Be You" (Frank Sinatra) Jackson said Yamin did a very nice job, and Abdul loved his performance. Cowell said it was a good vocal, but that he showed no personality, to what Yamin replied "I disagree"; Jackson and Abdul disagreed with Cowell too. Guest Rod Stewart called Yamin a blue-eyed soul.
 
Love Songs - "A Song for You" (Leon Russell as performed by Donny Hathaway) Jackson hated the arrangements but loved Yamin's performance. Abdul was moved to tears and called Yamin an American Idol and said he celebrates what the competition is about. Cowell called it superb and said it was in part a vocal masterclass. Guest David Foster seemed impatient with Yamin, but recognized he sings well.
 
Songs from the contestant's birth year (1978), Songs from the Top 10 of any Billboard Chart - "On Broadway" (by Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, recorded by George Benson); "Home" (Michael Bublé) Jackson and Abdul said Yamin started rough in "On Broadway", but then got it together, while Cowell said it was disjointed. After "Home" Jackson said Yamin showed a tender side and made a nice job, and Abdul said it showed the richness of his voice. Cowell though said he was slightly worried for Yamin for singing a song which states he wants to go home and because the song hasn't enough of a hook. Yamin was in the Bottom 2 that week.
 
Elvis Presley - "If I Can Dream"; "Trouble" The judges liked his rendition of "If I Can Dream"; Jackson said it was hot, Abdul said it was his best vocal performance during the season, and Cowell said Yamin came to the show that night as the underdog, chose a song which not many people know and yet gave the best performance. Jackson and Abdul said "Trouble" was Yamin's best performance ever, and Cowell said Yamin fought, showed personality and deserved to get through to the next round. Guest Tommy Mottola said Yamin is a laidback kid and that he pulled it off well.
 
Clive Davis' pick, Judge's pick (Paula Abdul), Contestant's pick - "Open Arms" (Journey); "What You Won't Do For Love" (Bobby Caldwell); "I Believe To My Soul" (Ray Charles, as performed by Donny Hathaway) The judges had divergent opinions about "Open Arms", with Jackson saying he had problem in the chorus and he should take chances, Abdul said he was in excellent voice and did a great job, and Cowell said he was stiff and he should loosen up. Same happened with "What You Won't Do For Love": Jackson said Yamin was sharp, Abdul liked it and Cowell said he was pretty good because the style suit him although it wasn't the best song in the world.
 
After "I Believe To My Soul" Jackson said it wasn't the perfect song for him but he could definitely sing and he did a good job, Abdul said nobody can sing songs like that like he did and called him a funky white boy again, and Cowell said Yamin is a great guy and a great singer and has made his mother proud, but also stated his song choices wouldn't carry him through to the next round.
 
Yamin performed a duet with Mary J. Blige and participated in the Top 12 Burt Bacharach's medley and the 'guys' medley'.
Guys Medley: "Takin’ Care Of Business" (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) / "Tobacco Road" (John D. Loudermilk) / "Don’t Stop" (Fleetwood Mac).
"One" (U2 as performed by Mary J. Blige & U2) with Mary J. Blige
"A House is Not a Home" (by Burt Bacharach)
After Idol
This section may contain an inappropriate mixture of prose and timeline.
 
Yamin appeared on several talk shows, such as the Tonight Show, Live with Regis and Kelly and the Fox News Channel program, Dayside. On June 11, 2006, Yamin performed the national anthem a cappella at Game 2 of the NBA finals.
 
He also appeared in the annual Pop Tart-sponsored national American Idols LIVE! Tour 2006 between July and September, singing Nickelback's "Savin' Me" (duet with Chris Daughtry), three solos ("Moody's Mood For Love" (James Moody), "Never Too Much" (Luther Vandross), and "Trouble" (Elvis Presley)), and three group songs. The tour included a sold-out show at the Richmond Coliseum in Yamin's hometown.
 


 
On October 8, 2006, Yamin performed at the Virginia State Fair as the closing act. He was the first contestant from Season 5 to have his own solo concert. His backup band was the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra. There was no new material featured in the concert. Instead, he sang nine cover songs:
 
"Use Me" (Bill Withers)
"Ready For Love" (Bad Company)
"Little Ghetto Boy" (Donny Hathaway)
"I Believe To My Soul" (Donny Hathaway)
"You've Got a Friend" (Carole King)
"Empty Arms" (Stevie Ray Vaughan)
"I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" (Donny Hathaway)
"What's Going On?" (Marvin Gaye)
"Whipping Post" (The Allman Brothers Band)
On December 6, 2006, Yamin eased a single, a rendition of "This Christmas," on AOL Music.
 
On December 8, 2006, Yamin sang the National Anthem, Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" and Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" as part of the 2006 Genworth Children's Advantage Classic (sponsored by the Genworth Foundation) at the Alltel Pavilion at the Virginia Commonwealth University's Stuart C. Siegel Center in Richmond. He sang it at a tennis event featuring James Blake, Andre Agassi, Lindsay Davenport, and Steffi Graf.
 
In December 2006, he announced a music publishing contract with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.[8] On January 25, 2007, Yamin signed a record deal with Hickory Records, a Sony/ATV-owned imprint set up as a "virtual label," and RED Distribution, a leading distributor for independent record labels in the United States. Yamin has stated that "Sony invested in [him] as a partner" as part of a 50/50 deal, which means that "[they] both stand or fall."
 
Yamin maintains a close friendship with American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, as well as with fellow contestants Bucky Covington and Ace Young.
 
In May of 2007, Elliott sang the national anthem at a NASCAR Busch Series race in Richmond, and the next night he sang "God Bless America" at the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race. In June 2007, Yamin teamed up with the Oscar Mayer team to launch the 2nd annual Oscar Mayer "Sing The Jingle, Be A Star" contest.
 
Elliott Yamin

As a teaser, Yamin eased a song from his album, "Movin' On", on AOL's First Listen and iTunes. His first radio single, "Wait For You", was eased on March 13. Yamin's debut album was eased on March 20, 2007. The album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart selling 90,000 copies in its first week. The album was the highest selling debut for an independent artist in Soundscan history. The album Elliott Yamin was certified gold status by the RIAA on October 12, 2007.
 
To promote his album, Yamin made TV appearances on Live with Regis and Kelly, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, "Rachael Ray", Jimmy Kimmel Live, and TRL, where the video for the song "Wait For You" was premiered. He also stopped by the New York Times Square Virgin Megastore for autographs and had a CD ease party at Circuit City on March 21st in his hometown, Richmond, VA. He signed CDs at a Best Buy in Richmond, VA. People were there from 7:00 in the morning. The line went all the way around the building.
 
During April and May 2007, Yamin embarked on a radio tour which included interviews and acoustic in-studio performances, accompanied by guitarist Russell Ali. Mark Gorlick (VP Artist Development & Marketing, Sony/BMG RED) emphasized the importance of this type of promotion: "We put together a five-week promo tour across the country, and just worked it...When programmers saw that the Elliott in person was consistent with the Elliott they saw on television that was huge."
 
On May 16, 2007, Yamin performed his hit single, "Wait for You", on the American Idol Season 6 Top 3 results show. The song jumped 60 spots on iTunes in a few hours as well as from 80 to 31 on the Billboard Hot 100. Also, following the performance, sales of his self titled album, Elliott Yamin increased, jumping 47 spots on the Billboard 200, from 67 to 20.
 
Yamin started his first solo national tour on May 17, 2007, in Alexandria, VA., with pop/R&B singer Josh Hoge opening for him. The tour ended June 21, 2007, in Anaheim, CA.
 
On July 4, 2007, Yamin performed in Washington, DC, at "A Capitol Fourth" on PBS--the country's biggest 4th of July celebration. Other people performing at the celebration were: Tony Danza, Yolanda Adams, Little Richard, Dierks Bentley, and Hayden Panettiere.
 
In August Yamin visited local television morning shows in South Florida, Atlanta, Washington DC, New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and Houston for interviews and performances. He also appeared as himself on the television soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful (aired August 24) and the television drama Lincoln Heights (aired September 20), performing "Wait for You."
 


 
Yamin flew to the Philippines in September 2007 for a free mall concert tour of the Ayala Malls to promote his self-titled album. Following his TriNoma show on September 21, members of his Filipino fan group Yaminoys presented him with a "mini-me" Elliott doll. During the last concert held at the Alabang Town Center, Yamin accidentally stepped on the cord of his microphone while performing "Wait for You", inadvertently unplugging his microphone from the cord. A video of this can be seen on YouTube.
 
Yamin continued his tour in the fall, again with Josh Hoge opening and adding the rock band The Last Goodnight. The tour kicked off on October 5th in Chicago, IL, and ended on November 26th in Washington, DC.
 
On December 1, 2007, Yamin performed at the Live & Loud 07 Music Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he was the opening act for one of his personal idols, Whitney Houston. He didn't get to know Houston though.
 
Elliott Yamin placed on four year-end Billboard charts for 2007, ranking at number 3 on the Top Independent Albums chart and at number 114 on The Billboard 200 chart. "Wait for You" placed on six year-end Billboard charts for 2007, ranking at number 11 on the Pop 100 Airplay chart and at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs chart.
 
Advocacy

A diabetic himself, Yamin helps and works as a spokesman for different organizations, such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). On October 22, 2006, Yamin sang the National Anthem at the Dodger Stadium (LA) and cut the ribbon for a diabetes walk during JDRF International Walk to Cure Diabetes.
 
In August 2007, Yamin visited Capitol Hill as International Celebrity Advocate Co-chair of the Promise to Remember Me Campaign to petition Representatives for their support to extend the Special Diabetes Program, which provides federal funding for type 1 diabetes research.
 
In October 2007, Yamin was named Global Ambassador to promote the Inspired by Diabetes Creative Expression Competition, a global contest in which people with diabetes, as well as their friends and families, can share through art, music, or essay how the disease has impacted their lives.
 
During his fall 2007 concert tour, Yamin announced that 100% of proceeds from the sale of designated T-shirts and pins would benefit the Life for a Child Program, which provides insulin, as well as diabetes-ated care and supplies, for children in developing countries.
 
On World Diabetes Day, November 14, 2007, Yamin was joined by children with diabetes for a performance of the song "Promise to Remember Me" in the United Nation's Rose Garden. Following the World Diabetes Day ceremonies, Yamin taped a segment of the Montel Williams Show during which he shared his experiences learning to live with the disease and performed "Wait for You." The 30-minute segment was aired on November 29, 2007.

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