Elliott Yamin filmography

I had dreamed of tapping into American Idol for years, but I'd gotten sucked into the reality of the Show more I had dreamed of tapping into American Idol for years, but I'd gotten sucked into the reality of the daily grind. Hide

On making his debut CD: "I'm a baby in this game and I'm not afraid to admit it. Collaborating on th Show more On making his debut CD: "I'm a baby in this game and I'm not afraid to admit it. Collaborating on the songs with these talented people who've been involved in music way longer than me and who share my passion for it has been an incredible experience. I've learned so much from them as an artist and as a person. The key to writing is to come from the heart. People relate to real feelings." Hide

Other talents he'd like to have: "I'd love to be able to play the guitar and piano. I'd like to be t Show more Other talents he'd like to have: "I'd love to be able to play the guitar and piano. I'd like to be taller, just so I can dunk a basketball!" Hide

I would absolutely love to be a father someday. But not for a long time... And I will definitely int Show more I would absolutely love to be a father someday. But not for a long time... And I will definitely introduce my children to music. I think that's such an important part of life! But I will never force it. I will support my child in whatever it is he or she chooses to do...just like my parents did. Hide

I don't want to be the type to say it's me or nothing. I'm not afraid to sing other people's songs. Show more I don't want to be the type to say it's me or nothing. I'm not afraid to sing other people's songs. Not to discredit myself, but I'm not a polished writer yet. I definitely want to write a lot more for this next album and learn, Hide

On his decision to audition for American Idol: "My friends kept saying I had nothing to lose and I r Show more On his decision to audition for American Idol: "My friends kept saying I had nothing to lose and I really didn't. I was at a point in my life where I had no direction. I was just scraping by at my job. I thought, I'm 27 years old and what do I have to show for it? I was lost. Deep down inside, I wondered if by trying out, I could somehow put myself on a path to something I'd always longed for but never admitted to anyone." Hide

On his singing ability in spite of his allergies, diabetes and hearing loss: "I don't know how to ex Show more On his singing ability in spite of his allergies, diabetes and hearing loss: "I don't know how to explain it, because I'm not a religious person. It's a gift." Hide

On talking about American Idol for the rest of his life: I've accepted it. I know I'll be forever sy Show more On talking about American Idol for the rest of his life: I've accepted it. I know I'll be forever synonymous with those two words. But so what? I knew what I was getting myself into. I didn't know the magnitude of how big it was, but I'll talk about until I'm blue in the face. So many doors have opened because of it. Now, I get to do what I love everyday. Hide

I often wish I had formal training...and I will, as soon as I have the time. It actually took me a l Show more I often wish I had formal training...and I will, as soon as I have the time. It actually took me a long time to realize that what I have is truly a gift, and for me to continue on without using my gift would be a sin. Before American Idol, I was always shy and afraid to use my voice/talent. The exposure gave me so much more confidence than I'd ever imagined possible. Hide

I was always loud, interrupting my mom on the phone or my brother doing his homework. I would annoy Show more I was always loud, interrupting my mom on the phone or my brother doing his homework. I would annoy everybody. Hide

Before Idol, I was lost.... Now, I've actually followed through with something. I am a better man fo Show more Before Idol, I was lost.... Now, I've actually followed through with something. I am a better man for it! Hide

On singing the National Anthem at game 2 of the NBA Finals -- "First of all, I looked like a fool wh Show more On singing the National Anthem at game 2 of the NBA Finals -- "First of all, I looked like a fool when I walked out there. I didn't want to mispronounce anything or get nervous." Hide

To me, obstacles in life build character. You have to be able to overcome adversity in order to succ Show more To me, obstacles in life build character. You have to be able to overcome adversity in order to succeed and appreciate the simple things life has to offer...that's where most of my inspiration for writing and singing comes from. Hide

On his American Idol: "My mom - she's overcome a lot of adverse situations. She's a very strong-will Show more On his American Idol: "My mom - she's overcome a lot of adverse situations. She's a very strong-willed woman!" Hide

On describing his debut CD: "The album is very eclectic with bluesy elements and some pop/R&B, club Show more On describing his debut CD: "The album is very eclectic with bluesy elements and some pop/R&B, club bangers with hip-hop beats and very heartfelt ballads." Hide

On why he didn't sign with 19 Management: I felt they weren't going to pick me up on the management Show more On why he didn't sign with 19 Management: I felt they weren't going to pick me up on the management side or the record company side, so I called Simon Fuller personally and I said 'I appreciate everything you've done. I've gotten amazing opportunities.' I thanked him and told him what a great time I had on the show, then I said 'I'd like to cede the deal with 19 Entertainment.' And he said 'That's cool, just don't put out a record before Kat, Taylor or Chris.' I was, like, 'No problem, I'll take my time.' That was that. I wasn't like, 'That's fucked up, why didn't they pick me?' I was more relieved. They were trying to manage a lot of people at one time and they didn't indicate that in the future, away from Idol, they'd give me a hundred percent of the attention that I need. It wasn't the right fit. Hide

On Paula Abdul: "She has a big heart, like I do." On Paula Abdul: "She has a big heart, like I do."

The only thing that's really changed is the amount of time I get to spend with them, which isn't ver Show more The only thing that's really changed is the amount of time I get to spend with them, which isn't very much. But that actually makes the time we spend together more precious. It's tough, but everybody understands and they are so supportive. Hide

On coping with sudden fame: "A lot of young people with diabetes have said I've given them hope and Show more On coping with sudden fame: "A lot of young people with diabetes have said I've given them hope and made them believe in the power of music. They've told me how they've struggled and gone through difficult changes in their lives, and that seeing how I was able to achieve something through Idol has inspired them to go for what they want. It's amazing to me that I've played that role in someone's life." Hide

Personal goals: "To help educate young people about music and diabetes. I want to be an inspiration Show more Personal goals: "To help educate young people about music and diabetes. I want to be an inspiration to others. I want to be a great Dad someday...I want to meet Magic Johnson and have a floor seat at a Lakers game. Hide

I've always wanted to pursue a music career, but I didn't dedicate the time and effort. I've always wanted to pursue a music career, but I didn't dedicate the time and effort.

On Randy Jackson: He let me listen to some of the early cuts on the record, the one with the Taberna Show more On Randy Jackson: He let me listen to some of the early cuts on the record, the one with the Tabernacle Choir ['I Understand,' with Bebe Winans, Kim Burrell, Rance Allen, Mariah Carey and Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Tabernacle Church Choir], which is amazing. He's got a great ear. . . . He's always hitting me up on my BlackBerry. I definitely think I'm going to do a couple of tracks with him on my next project. Hide

Most embarrassing moment: "My first Hollywood Round Auditions - I forgot the lyrics to the beginning Show more Most embarrassing moment: "My first Hollywood Round Auditions - I forgot the lyrics to the beginning of my song! I thought I was going home for sure." Hide

When asked what he'd do if he didn't make it on American Idol: "Do whatever I've always done...Survi Show more When asked what he'd do if he didn't make it on American Idol: "Do whatever I've always done...Survive! Of course, I'd still pursue a career in music." Hide

My dad's Isreali. He was born in Baghdad to Iraqi Jews. Then, at age two, his parents wanted to move Show more My dad's Isreali. He was born in Baghdad to Iraqi Jews. Then, at age two, his parents wanted to move to their homeland and he grew up in Israel. I've been there twice, once as a baby and once when I was 15. Hide

There are two songs that I wasn't involved in writing. One is the single, "Fight For Love," which I Show more There are two songs that I wasn't involved in writing. One is the single, "Fight For Love," which I heard was originally offered to Leona Lewis. I don't know what happened, but she didn't get it and I did, so I put my foot all up in it and the rest of history. It's a great song, and there's so much junk and shit trash on the radio now. The landscape of radio has totally changed for the worse since my first promotional tour. I've been out for five weeks going door-to-door at radio, something very few artists do anymore in the pop world, but it's so much tougher this time around. Everybody's walking around like their days are numbered and a lot of the programmers that showed me early love the first time around aren't even there anymore because they got laid off. People don't have interns anymore; when we hit the stations for these ass-crack-of-dawn radio shows, you have to wait for [the jocks] to take their commercial break so they can come let you in. Everybody's understaffed and there's less airtime to play with. Hide

On what his friends thought about him before auditioning-- "They had more faith in me than I did. I' Show more On what his friends thought about him before auditioning-- "They had more faith in me than I did. I've always been so critical of my own sound. I didn't think it sounded so good." Hide

It was kind of tough to talk about how I felt, because her death (his mother) was fresh in my mind a Show more It was kind of tough to talk about how I felt, because her death (his mother) was fresh in my mind and I was still mourning. But I sort of threw all of my emotions out there and with that, just started writing how I was feeling at the time, which anyone who's lost somebody can relate to. Every time I play it for someone, there's not a dry eye in the house. I'm really proud of it. Hide

On auditioning for Idol in Boston's Gillette Stadium -- "The tents were really close together. Lucky Show more On auditioning for Idol in Boston's Gillette Stadium -- "The tents were really close together. Lucky my bad ear was next to the person in the next tent who was singing very loud and very bad." Hide

On first hearing Donny Hathaway's music in the seventh grade -- "His voice spoke to me. I had never Show more On first hearing Donny Hathaway's music in the seventh grade -- "His voice spoke to me. I had never heard anything like it before. I was so fortunate to be exposed to him at that age." Hide

On the single "Wait For You": "A ballad about a man losing the woman he loves but hoping she will co Show more On the single "Wait For You": "A ballad about a man losing the woman he loves but hoping she will come back someday and vowing to wait for her until she does." Hide

On his season's talent: I think it was the best so far, and I'm not being biased. That seems to be t Show more On his season's talent: I think it was the best so far, and I'm not being biased. That seems to be the general consensus from everybody; this year wasn't as good as last year. It's cool to be part of that alumni. Hide

I've kept in touch with Randy since the show, and he's always expressed interest in working with me Show more I've kept in touch with Randy since the show, and he's always expressed interest in working with me and vice versa. I didn't know how dope he was as a producer. And when I was rehearsing for my first leg of the tour in L.A., he called me up and said, 'Is now a good time [to record something]?' So we hooked up, Hide

Growing up, I can remember singing along with my Ma all of the time. I wouldn't say she necessarily Show more Growing up, I can remember singing along with my Ma all of the time. I wouldn't say she necessarily "taught" me how to sing, but she was definitely the first person to inspire me to sing and the first to intrigue me vocally. I've always had a natural ear for music though. Hide

My mom was always supportive, but she didn't try to push me. She knew I hated to be the center of at Show more My mom was always supportive, but she didn't try to push me. She knew I hated to be the center of attention and she respected that. Hide