Elliott Yamin

Elliott Yamin is an American R&B and soul singer who gained national recognition as a contestant on Season 5 of "American Idol," finishing third behind Katharine McPhee and winner Taylor Hicks in one of the competition's closest votes. Yamin first discovered his vocal talent while singing karaoke in his late teens. Although he had no formal musical training, he performed with a local jazz band and participated in amateur forums, emulating artists such as Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and Donny Hathaway. His path to the "American Idol" stage was unconventional—Yamin is nearly 90 percent deaf in his right ear, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 16, left high school during his sophomore year, and worked at Foot Locker and as a pharmacy clerk before earning his GED and focusing on a singing career.

Following his "American Idol" appearance, Yamin launched an independent music career. Known for the hit single "Wait for You," his self-titled debut album debuted at number one on the Billboard Independent Albums chart and number three on the Billboard 200, earning gold certification in the United States. The album marked the highest new artist debut on an independent label in SoundScan history. To promote the album, Yamin appeared on television programs including "Live with Regis and Kelly," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "Rachael Ray," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and TRL. The album also achieved international success, with Yamin performing 10 shows at Billboard Live venues in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, and earning gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan.

Yamin has developed a diverse discography, releasing two Christmas collections—"Sounds of the Season: The Elliott Yamin Holiday Collection" and "My Kind of Holiday"—as well as his second album, "Fight for Love." He later released "Let's Get to What's Real," an album that explores classic soul and pop styles, and "As Time Goes By," a genre-bending collection of original songs. Yamin has also provided vocals for the Lao Tizer Band, a jazz ensemble known for live performances.

In addition to his music career, Yamin is an advocate for health and humanitarian causes. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 16, he has served as a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, working to raise awareness and funds for research. Yamin has toured both domestically and internationally, including trips to Africa as a spokesman for the Malaria No More Foundation and other charitable organizations. Years after his original "American Idol" run, Yamin returned to the show as a duet partner alongside fellow Season 5 alumni. His career reflects a commitment to overcoming personal and industry challenges, establishing him as a notable figure in contemporary R&B and soul music.