"American Idol" contestant Elliott Yamin almost missed U.S. President George Bush's White House meeting with the TV show's finalists, claiming he overslept.

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"I had press to do this morning," Yamin said, the New York Post reported. "My sleep was interrupted, and I was trying to make up for it. The tour manager called me at the last minute (Friday) and said, 'We'll have a taxi to take you there for the photo.' And that's what I did."

People.com said Yamin showed up sprinting to the Oval Office about five minutes after nine other "Idol" finalists were introduced to the president. the Post said.

Fans speculated Yamin may have been late over indecision about what to wear, but his fellow Idols cited Yamin's busy schedule.

"He was sleeping," Ace Young told the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch.

Yamin has been touring with other "Idol" finalists since July 6.

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