Elliott Yamin's original American Idol audition. PLEASE NOTE: Try pulling your headphones out half way, if you have a problem hearing this vid in stereo. :)
I remembered when Elliott released a never-heard-of Christmas song (in years, anyway) that made Black artists wished they'd known Hathaway. And because he's a perpetual underdog, they stopped playing his version in favor of someone else's. Sheesh, thanks to Elliott, Hathaway was rediscovered. Anyway, I hope he starts on a new album soon.
@Edwardvaira That was Simon's vibe during the season 5 auditions--everyone was going to be a good session singers, in the background, not in the spotlight. etc. It was what he was in the mood to say that year.
I haven't heard such a srong and beautiful voice in a very long time. Too many of todays artist think it's sexy to sound like a woman but they are dead WRONG! Lol
Elliot Yamin is the American Idol equivalent of WWE wrestler Daniel Bryan. Not only do they have similarity physically, both are extremely talented, both have no ambition, and more inclined to work in the independent circuit.
It's sad how Taylor Hicks won season five. If you asked 20 people today who Taylor Hicks is, there'd probably be only 1 person who'd say yes. Imagine if Elliott won and where he'd be now.
Elliott is a class act. Just a real and genuine guy. This brought tears to my eyes. The fifth season is without a doubt the best and with the most talent.
I know you posted this 3 years ago, but I had the same reaction. This man said "sort of yes" smh. Simon's got a God complex sometimes that just makes me cringe.
TheMusicalJourneys yes he has such a nice voice. i like the first cd because he speak with meaning. The lyrics to some of my favorite songs on the cd have deep. www.cdbaby.com/paulabenson
I'm so disappointed that one of the best ever male vocalist of AI didn't perform during the 20th year anniversary😭 I did see him in the audience🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Why did he drop off? The talent was unreal and his first release after the show was epic. I wish he would drop more music..... And the fact this was in 2006 and it's been 15years since he was on the show makes me feel unbelievably old! He's in his 40s now and I'm not far behind him... 💔💔💔💔 why must time fly so fast!!!!!??????????!!!!!!!?????
I absolutely love this guy! I remember his audition way back when. Talk about under-rated! He is my absolute favorite idol ever. Everything about Elliot is amazing, from his trip to Africa, his love for his Mom. Elliot, I can't wait for you to come out with something, Me and all my friends will buy all your albums
He’s my family friend trust me this is super weird for me too.. ik he sang and had some song but seriously didn’t know he had fans and stuff this is so weird
YES! Elliott Yamin was one of the all-time greatest performers on AI. Was so ecstatic to hear him live in Columbus, OH last year with Blake Lewis, who is another of the standout AI perfomers. Fantastic talent.
Katherine definitely robbed him out of a spot in the finale. It should've been Taylor vs Elliott in the top 2! Taylor for some reason had a massive fanbase that season! He was most likely going to win regardless of who he was going up against!
I am an uber-fan but it's interesting to hear this audition -- he changed key a couple of times and it must have been due to nerves, since I've heard him a cappella since then and he's pitch perfect. I'm so glad the judges put him through to Hollywood as I LOVE his music and have all his CDs (including the one he released in Japan last year). If you get a chance to see this guy perform live, don't hesitate because his energy and vocals will blow you away!
Why can't he get with some good producers because he can SANG! Wait For You is one of my favorite songs by ANY AI alums --- to include Kelly! Get that guy some good songs!
Blessings in an abundance of the faith. I salute you. 😘🙏Grace and peace be unto you and to this place. God bless you. Thank you. 🤍🌈🤍Will you believe and receive Jesus Christ as your LORD and personal saviour??? I do. 😊
Simon always drew lines between high quality musicians and pop stars. He’s saying Elliott unquestionably had the talent to be a professional singer but wasn’t marketable for American Idol. I get why he did that...he's not saying a session singer is bad which is why he voted yes to give him a chance, it's just that the point of the show from his perspective was to find not just a great singer but a new celebrity who can drive their own multi-million dollar industry. Sometimes he was right that somebody would be super commercial like Carrie Underwood who is basically a country icon now, but then again he was wrong thinking Chris Daughtry wouldn’t be a hit. Elliott did great on the show and he has been decently successful since, but not like crazy popular so maybe Simon had a point. He was also meh on Taylor Hicks who obviously won and has done fine but isn’t an “idol” or anything. Having said that Simon has said in recent years that he was wrong to be so image-focused and that he's glad things are becoming more open-minded, but this is a good example of where things were at in 2006. And it's not just on Simon, his instincts were based on his experiences seeing people buy pop music. Sadly you can't just make anybody with amazing talent become extremely famous or there'd be tons more superstars, but I think Randy and Paula were always more open to anybody becoming a surprise hit, whereas Simon had more of an "I know it when I see it" attitude.
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Elliott was one of my all-time favorite Idol contestants 💕 Gorgeous, soulful voice.
I love 're-watching these audition tapes. Feels good to know they became successful.
I want to hear Elliott on the radio... he has such a great voice!
He must be good cuz 11 years later, i still enjoy his voice.
Me too , it’s on my playlist
Check out his albums. He's really good. We road trip listening to it.
This never gets old
he's soooooooooooooo beautiful. my all time favourite idol contestant. so humble and so incredibly talented.
I remembered when Elliott released a never-heard-of Christmas song (in years, anyway) that made Black artists wished they'd known Hathaway. And because he's a perpetual underdog, they stopped playing his version in favor of someone else's. Sheesh, thanks to Elliott, Hathaway was rediscovered. Anyway, I hope he starts on a new album soon.
I'm already known to his music but his audition still blew me away.
Love this guy. So much soul.
Even when he talks he gives me the chills !!!!
my left ear enjoyed this... great performance, great memories from time long gone by
This was my favorite idol season. McPhee. Yamin. Hicks. Daughtry. Pickler.
Most underrated singer EVAR
mahn the connection between him and his mom is just pure gold❣
I Love People Who Have A Voice Like That! I Fell In Love With His Voice When I First Heard It In,"Wait For You."
Best vocalist to ever be on the show.
simon knows he wanted to jump outta his seat screaming "YES!!!" .......
"sort of yes" ?? seriously? that was fucking amazing
he looks so cuddly 😭💞
@Edwardvaira That was Simon's vibe during the season 5 auditions--everyone was going to be a good session singers, in the background, not in the spotlight. etc. It was what he was in the mood to say that year.
Yes pretty amazing!
EFFORTLESS 👏👏👏👏 waiting for a new album.
I haven't heard such a srong and beautiful voice in a very long time. Too many of todays artist think it's sexy to sound like a woman but they are dead WRONG! Lol
Lol....I know right
Elliot has a good voice!!!!
greatness!!!!!
I love Elliot..........
I can we talk about how cute he was like ok I see you Elliott
@DonRonter This IS his original audition--this clip is from American Idol REWIND.
Still loving me some Elliott!! He sung that Donny Hathaway!!
My dad used to be friends with him when they were kids and still talk on Facebook which is crazy to me
Elliot Yamin is the American Idol equivalent of WWE wrestler Daniel Bryan. Not only do they have similarity physically, both are extremely talented, both have no ambition, and more inclined to work in the independent circuit.
love elliot
my favorite along with Jhud!
It's sad how Taylor Hicks won season five. If you asked 20 people today who Taylor Hicks is, there'd probably be only 1 person who'd say yes. Imagine if Elliott won and where he'd be now.
I met him and got a picture with him
My dad met him
hmm i only have one working ear bud... So i had to imagine how this audition went.
What sort of questions would you want to hear answered by him NOW? It'd be super duper helpful if anyone would chime in here...
I thought he was one of the best male vocalists on AI ever.
Yeah, I had him winning the whole time...
Agree
Agreed
kap I agree!!
Me too
my right ear enjoyed this video
thank god...i thought i was going deaf.
Lol----- i double, then triple checked my earbuds! whew!
FootyManagerTV My left ear enjoyed this video too.
LMAOOO
FootyManagerTV I was about to say wtf both my ear phones were working on the last video lmao
Wait for you was so good.
Ooh damn good!
Elliott was one of the most genuine and sincere contestants ever on this show! Absolutely one of the best contestants ever.
elliott got robbed
southcakc23 on god
Should’ve been him or daughtry yet shitty Taylor Hicks won
CGeis21 daughtry was there too and someone else who I don’t even remember won? Smfh
He was underrated.. :(
Hands down my favorite Idol of all time.
Agreed.
Agreed also
Cory Hall Same here. I've only bought one CD from an American Idol contestant, and it was Elliott Yamin's.
+Joe Blankenship Yep, same here.
along with Jhud, also mine! =)
He is literally the best thing to come out of that show. Hands down
He and Jennifer Hudson!
@@willgetbettereventually124 no
For some reason I was thinking about Elliott today! HE STOOD OUT! I think the best vocalist on American Idol!
He just popped up on my feed. Amazing.
Came here in 2024 to say the same thing. The best AI voice ever.
Elliott is a class act. Just a real and genuine guy. This brought tears to my eyes. The fifth season is without a doubt the best and with the most talent.
Damn that year. If not everyone was insanely good, Elliot yamin would've won very easily.
Ain't that the truth!
One of my top 5 idol contestants of all time.
+Jojo717 mine too
Jojo717 have you ever seen him sing the star spangled banner? Goosebumps!
@hsm4life09Agreed really good song with strong lyrics.
Ive been listening to him for the longest. HOW did I not know he was on Idol???? AND he's from Richmond too? I must live under a rock.
Me and you both.
Same!!
10 years later, and it still gives me chills.
Iove your comment😇❤👍
Watching this also gave me chills. Elliot is super talented. His voice is so indescribably Fantastic.❤️❤️❤️
I like Elliot because he sings from the heart!
If you listen closely to his voice, his voice will remind you of Donny Hathaway.
Don't even have to listen closely. He's Donny here, big time. He hadn't found HIS voice yet. He was really good at doing Donny though.
Sort of yes? *rolls eyes* Elliott was the contestant I wanted to win. He always reminded me of Stevie Wonder.
I know you posted this 3 years ago, but I had the same reaction. This man said "sort of yes" smh. Simon's got a God complex sometimes that just makes me cringe.
@@CoachBillyMcMahon “Wait for you” is such a good song, glad he proved Simon wrong even if it was only one hit.
He was one of the ones I wanted to win that year.
I wanted Elliott to win so badly! The week he went home. It was practically a 3 way tie. I still want him to win! Hehehe
TheMusicalJourneys yes he has such a nice voice. i like the first cd because he speak with meaning. The lyrics to some of my favorite songs on the cd have deep. www.cdbaby.com/paulabenson
Simon to one of the top five non-winners in AI history...."sort of yes."
In other words, he swung and missed on this one fella. Elliot rules.
Remember, he said no to Taylor too
Whatever happened to him I bought his first album and I love his voice this man can sing
He has latest release in 2020 but bad production. Hoping he goes back doing R&B. His voice shines better in it.
I'm so disappointed that one of the best ever male vocalist of AI didn't perform during the 20th year anniversary😭 I did see him in the audience🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Elliott is THE best American Idol contestant to me! ❤️
i like his song,wait for you :)
*me too -fc*
Me too it's one of my most favorite love songs ever.
I thought he was going to win the whole time!! I remember loving that song when I was little because it was my favorite contestant and he made it😂
He's hot af now
Stef Rahn he's getting old
Uhh he was hot then
His style looked like Shawn desmand tho
I can’t watch the show any more. No one ever comes close. Best singer ever!
Why did he drop off? The talent was unreal and his first release after the show was epic. I wish he would drop more music.....
And the fact this was in 2006 and it's been 15years since he was on the show makes me feel unbelievably old! He's in his 40s now and I'm not far behind him... 💔💔💔💔 why must time fly so fast!!!!!??????????!!!!!!!?????
Probably top 3 of all time best vocal singers on Idol. Dude can sing anything.
...his voice...my godd
Oh yeah I've loved that song since it came out! But I've never heard his voice so raw and unfiltered.
I miss AI when it was good back in these days. Elliott always had such great soul.
He was my American Idol that year.
this has to be the best season of AI
I absolutely love this guy! I remember his audition way back when. Talk about under-rated! He is my absolute favorite idol ever. Everything about Elliot is amazing, from his trip to Africa, his love for his Mom. Elliot, I can't wait for you to come out with something, Me and all my friends will buy all your albums
14 years and we are still on Team Yamin!
My cousin went to middle school with him, and I went there too! I have his middle school yearbook.... how weird is that hahaha
He’s my family friend trust me this is super weird for me too.. ik he sang and had some song but seriously didn’t know he had fans and stuff this is so weird
YES! Elliott Yamin was one of the all-time greatest performers on AI. Was so ecstatic to hear him live in Columbus, OH last year with Blake Lewis, who is another of the standout AI perfomers. Fantastic talent.
Elliott Yamin thanks for the “ Wait for you “ song ..❤️❤️ ilove hearing it 🥰😍
Soul. Raw, deep, hardcore soul, man!
Katherine definitely robbed him out of a spot in the finale. It should've been Taylor vs Elliott in the top 2! Taylor for some reason had a massive fanbase that season! He was most likely going to win regardless of who he was going up against!
HE WAS ROBBED THEY ROBBED HIM
Best American Idol ever! This guy is just awesome!
Israeli Pride FTW!!! :D
I always thought Elliot was so foineee🥺🥵💘💘💘
I am an uber-fan but it's interesting to hear this audition -- he changed key a couple of times and it must have been due to nerves, since I've heard him a cappella since then and he's pitch perfect. I'm so glad the judges put him through to Hollywood as I LOVE his music and have all his CDs (including the one he released in Japan last year). If you get a chance to see this guy perform live, don't hesitate because his energy and vocals will blow you away!
MY American Idol!! Met him and saw him in concert!! One of the highlights of my life. He is so nice and so humble! :)
I love his shades& he sings like an angel. ❤
True talent such as this is very difficult to find.
Bravo, Elliott -- he is such an amazing talent! I LOVE his CDs and his live performances. Thanks for posting this!!!
He's got soul,and yes i agree. He is from my neck of the woods : Va !
I agree with you, though, i think he shoulda won !
Why can't he get with some good producers because he can SANG!
Wait For You is one of my favorite songs by ANY AI alums --- to include Kelly!
Get that guy some good songs!
I always thought the same
Yo Kel --- don't say THOUGHT, say "thinking"! Yamin ain't dead yet, I'm still hoping . . .
He was my choice for that season! Always love to hear him sing! ♥️
Gives me chills all over again! Thanks so much for posting this! We don't get AI rewind over here.
I just LOVE this guy! What a voice!
Watching in 2018. He was my favorite idol contestant.
Hands down bruh was one of the best male vocalists on AI. He has a very rich tone in his voice. You knew he killed it when Simon started smiling.
He’s always been the best male idol imo. His voice just always had a tone that cut through.
He is a beautiful singer
Talented!
Still ............after all of these years probably one of the best singers they ever had.
Blessings in an abundance of the faith. I salute you. 😘🙏Grace and peace be unto you and to this place. God bless you. Thank you. 🤍🌈🤍Will you believe and receive Jesus Christ as your LORD and personal saviour??? I do. 😊
I just LOVE Elliot... and this brings back some good vibes 🥰 Awsome Yamin
Why does Simon say "sort of yes"? Elliot has such a wonderful voice.
Because he's jealous! Simon's always a dick. It's part of his schtick
Simon always drew lines between high quality musicians and pop stars. He’s saying Elliott unquestionably had the talent to be a professional singer but wasn’t marketable for American Idol.
I get why he did that...he's not saying a session singer is bad which is why he voted yes to give him a chance, it's just that the point of the show from his perspective was to find not just a great singer but a new celebrity who can drive their own multi-million dollar industry. Sometimes he was right that somebody would be super commercial like Carrie Underwood who is basically a country icon now, but then again he was wrong thinking Chris Daughtry wouldn’t be a hit. Elliott did great on the show and he has been decently successful since, but not like crazy popular so maybe Simon had a point. He was also meh on Taylor Hicks who obviously won and has done fine but isn’t an “idol” or anything.
Having said that Simon has said in recent years that he was wrong to be so image-focused and that he's glad things are becoming more open-minded, but this is a good example of where things were at in 2006. And it's not just on Simon, his instincts were based on his experiences seeing people buy pop music. Sadly you can't just make anybody with amazing talent become extremely famous or there'd be tons more superstars, but I think Randy and Paula were always more open to anybody becoming a surprise hit, whereas Simon had more of an "I know it when I see it" attitude.
He in no way has a pop star look
Watching in 2017 and still so impressed. Great memories.
Thanks! I looked for him at Barnes & Noble, found his albums there. He has such a nice voice, I love listening to him.
God man, I listen to his song I'll wait for you. It's like my favorite song. I love this guy!
He Was One Of The Best That Season.