Season 5′s Elliott Yamin celebrates his birthday today. It’s hard to believe it was six years ago that Elliott made a name for himself on American Idol. His warm personality, smooth vocals, and his doting mother Claudette made him one of the most beloved contestants ever on the show. Since his time on Idol, Elliott has had a lot of success in the music industry, but he always makes time to help those in need.

Elliott has released the albums Elliott Yamin, Fight for Love, and the holiday records Sounds of the Season: The Elliott Yamin Holiday Collection and My Kind of Holiday. His first album, Elliott Yamin, debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album was the highest new artist debut on an independent label in SoundScan history. On October 12, 2007, the album was certified gold. His hit single “Wait for You” was certified Platinum in digital sales on October 16, 2008. In total, Elliott has had four #1 hits on the Billboard charts. In February of 2011, Elliott released his third studio album, Gather ‘Round, but it was made available exclusively for the Japanese market.

The charitable Idol has worked with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Promise to Remember Me Campaign, the Inspired by Diabetes Creative Expression Competition, the Life for a Child Program, World Diabetes Day, Malaria No More, and Africare. He’s traveled to Africa twice for Idol Gives Back to raise awareness about malaria prevention with Malaria No More. Read more about his last trip to Africa.

Elliott lives with diabetes, hearing loss, … read more