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Elliott Yamin: ''I felt the opposite of bitter'' | 145431__yamin_l

When I talked to Chris Daughtry last week, he said you guys and Taylor got really close during the competition. Did it help you to have those guys around for support?
Yeah — me, Chris, and Taylor got real close. We've been the only three guys for a while, so we got to know each other really well. We all formed these great relationships that will last a lifetime. We're in our own fraternity. The funny thing about Chris is before this he never lived on his own. He dated his wife right after high school and moved in with her and never really had that roommate experience. He was like a little kid. The rest of us had been on our own, so we helped him out with that.

Have any ideas about the kind of album you're going to make?
I do. I want to make an R&B album. I want to do something real soulful and R&B-ish. I think I've shown on the show that I do have versatility and I can sing any kind of music. And I would love to explore different genres...

After this week's Ford commercial, you might have a career as an old-man rapper ahead of you.
That's right, my old man. There are all kinds of different genres I can do. I have a very eclectic ear. I like all music, even classical. But my preference and what I love? I am strictly an R&B head.

Gotta ask about your makeover. It was crazy seeing how different you looked in that flashback to the auditions.
I know. I looked totally different.

I've heard hundreds of dentists have phoned the production offices offering to fix your teeth. Are you going to take them up on it?
That's something I'm seriously considering. It has to be the right time and the right place for it. The calls have been pouring in from dentists from all over the country. On the red carpet at the top-12 party, somebody asked me something like, ''If I would change one thing about my appearance what would it be?'' And I think I said something like, ''I'd like to have a nicer smile.'' They published it, and next thing you know, I'm getting calls right and left, the show is fielding calls, my mother is fielding calls... It's cool. All these people want to help me out for free. And from what I understand, dental work is expensive.

Speaking of your mother, I think most of America wants to be adopted by her. What did she have to say to you after the show?
She just expressed her pride and her gratitude. She was real emotional and crying. She just told me how much she loved me and how much this whole thing has meant to her.

I know a lot of fans were really moved by what you've dealt with in your life, including having diabetes and being deaf in one ear. Did you get a lot of feedback from people you met in the past few months?
So many people I've come into contact with have told me that I've been an inspiration. They say, ''You really touched our lives — our daughter is diabetic,'' or ''He's having surgery on his ear.'' It's an awesome feeling to be able to do what I love to do and be an inspiration to others. I plan on doing a whole lot of work with different diabetes foundations. I hope to do speaking engagements. There's this American Diabetes Association camp they run for kids in Pittsburgh. We just so happen to be in town on our tour this summer, so I'm trying to coordinate visiting those kids. There are so many things I can do with my voice now, and I'm so grateful for the opportunities.

I have to tell you, you are an absolute mensch, or, as Simon would say, a great guy. And I love that in Hebrew your last name, Yamin, means right and connotes a certain strength. I feel like that's a proper name for you.
How do you know that? Are you Jewish?

I am.
Me too! My father's Israeli! My real name is actually Ephraim, which was the name of one of the tribes of Israel.

Well, Ephraim, what are the chances you're going to go back to working the counter at the pharmacy?
I like to say at this point the chances are slim to none. No offense to anyone there, because I love those guys, and they helped me out a lot. But I've got bigger fish to fry and I'm looking forward to frying those fish.