Derek Yates on the Ellen Degeneres Show
Derek Yates, a professional actor/model/singer from the Scenic City was announced as Ellen’s new gardener on the Ellen Degeneres Show on Tuesady on NBC.
Mr. Yates caught the attention of Ellen’s producers when his audition video went viral on YouTube and EllenTube a few weeks ago. The video which is now approaching 70,000 views in a combined total on both sites, and was featured on her show and website along with a few other contestants. Last week Mr. Yates got the call that they wanted to fly him out to LA and be on the show in person out of thousands of others who submitted.
“It is honestly a dream come true to be on Ellen’s show," said Mr. Yates. "I can’t help but feel good while watching her show, and now I get to be a part of that for her audience and viewers also."
The segment of this episode shows Mr. Yates and two other finalists walking a catwalk with an introduction by Ellen. Mr. Yates and the finalists at the end of the catwalk rip their shirts off before walking off stage one by one. Each are brought back out together, lined up, and Ellen asked each a random question. She gives the audience the power to vote by round of applause and cheers, and when Ellen asks the audience their thoughts on Mr. Yates after the other two finalists they went wild at which point Ellen makes the big announcement. Mr. Yates is given a blue sash reading “Temporary Gardener” along with a golden hoe and a prize of a $1,000 Target gift card as the audience continues to cheer and applaud.
Mr. Yates is an actor, singer, and model currently residing in Chattanooga, and has been involved in the arts since he was a child. He also is the co-founder of 1N3. Mr. Yates is currently represented by the Jana VanDyke Agency in Atlanta and soon plans to move to Los Angeles to further his entertainment career. He attributes his success to the strong support of his friends and family in the pursuit of his entertainment dreams.
Derek Yates