Former “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul is looking back on the show’s more than 20-year history, including some of the most memorable contestants over the years.
Paula Abdul’s Favorite ‘Idol’ Contestant
Abdul served as judge of the groundbreaking singing competition series for the show’s first eight seasons. She sat down with “Boy Meets World” star Danielle Fishel to discuss the show’s impact.
“I know this is a tough question but off the top of your head, don’t think too much about it, from your eight seasons at the judges table, do you have a favorite that comes to mind?” Fishel asked Abdul.
Abdul did not seem to have to think too much about it before responding.
“Hands down, season 5 Elliott Yamin,” she admitted. “There’s something about that kid. He’s no longer a kid anymore. But there’s something about the purity of his heart and the ability of his voice that pierces the heart strings.”
She added stars like Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, and Kelly Clarkson to her top list.
“I used to put down — and I’d get a notary to notarize it — the top 10, the top 5, and the top 3,” she added. “And my predictions were always right except for when I rallied so hard for Elliott Yamin because I knew Chris Daughtry would win. Also, I never saw Jennifer [Hudson] leaving when she did.”
Yamin ended up placing third behind Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks during season 5 in 2006.
Elliott Yamin Returns to ‘Idol’
The “Wait for You” artist returned to the “American Idol” stage earlier this month, 20 years after competing.
Yamin reunited with Hicks, Kellie Pickler, Paris Bennett, and Bucky Covington.
“My favorite part of tonight were the duets,” Abdul told Fishel. “The seasoned pros that came back were able to infuse a different kind of vibe, fun, emotional, connection. And they have each other. I felt like there was a safety of Elliott being there. There’s a safety of Paris being there. And they thrive having that fun.”
She continued, “I was brought to gut wrenching tears because of Elliott Yamin. He sang “A Song for You” by Donny Hathaway back in season 5. There’s just something about the kid that just pierces my soul.”
Yamin previously opened up about drawing inspiration from Hathaway during an interview with NPR in 2009.
“I guess it just comes from my environment, my background, where I grew up and how I grew up,” Yamin said. “I was introduced to soul music at a very young age — my mom was a soul singer. When I was a kid, I remember trying to emulate Stevie Wonder’s sound, and Donny Hathaway’s sound. It’s just part of who I am — I’m just a soulful kind of dude.”
He added, “I’m still Elliott Yamin. I’m still the funky white Jewish boy from Richmond, Virginia. Everything that we went through on the show — all the hoops, and that whole machine — coming out on the other end, I feel like I’ve really handled it well. And I’ve learned how to handle it well, all from the show, you know?”
