Taylor Hicks: What Winning American Idol Is Really Like

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Who Is Taylor Hicks?

Taylor Hicks is a singer who became famous after winning a popular TV singing contest called American Idol in 2006. Here are some simple facts about him:

• He is 49 years old and comes from Birmingham, Alabama.
• His fans call themselves the "Soul Patrol" (like a team of supporters).
• Before the show, he sang at local spots. He was 29 years old when he tried out.
• After winning, he built a busy career:
  • Sold-out concerts (shows where every ticket was bought)
  • A Las Vegas residency (a long-term show he performed in Las Vegas)
  • Broadway performances (singing and acting in famous theaters in New York City)
  • Television hosting (being the master of ceremonies on TV programs)
• He is also known as "The Mirror" singer because of one of his songs.

Life After the Confetti Fell

Winning American Idol made Taylor a star very fast. But he says life after the celebration ended wasn’t as shiny as many fans imagined.

Important Point: Taylor told Fox News Digital exclusively: "It is a lot tougher than it seems." This means sudden fame is harder to handle than people think.

He also shared a hopeful thought:

"Opportunity creates luck. But with a little faith and a little luck, you can accomplish your dreams."

Nearly two decades after his 2006 win, Taylor reflected on the biggest misunderstanding people have about winning such a big contest: they think it’s all easy and glamorous, but reality is different.

Advice to His Younger Self

Because he has been in show business for about 20 years, Taylor thought about what he wishes someone had told him before fame hit.

• He said: "If I could look back and somebody would tell me some advice, I would probably say, ‘Be patient and trust in God.’"
• He also said that right when he won, he would tell his younger self: "Enjoy the wave as much as you can because in this business, sooner or later, it’s going to crash, and you’ve got to catch another one."
  (That simply means: have fun during success, but know it won’t last forever, so be ready for the next opportunity.)

How He Stayed Grounded

Staying normal and kind was the key to dealing with the crazy entertainment world.

• Taylor credits his Alabama upbringing and his parents for keeping him focused.
• His parents taught him: "Stay grounded and make sure that you are nice to others."
• He added: "Karma’s a real thing, so be nice, be sweet and be happy." (Karma is the simple idea that how you treat others comes back to you.)

Important Point: Faith, never giving up (perseverance), and staying true to his hometown roots helped Taylor handle both the good and bad times after winning.

He remains grateful for the doors his American Idol victory opened.

How Talent Shows Have Changed

Taylor says that if you want to be on a reality TV singing show today, it’s much harder than when he started.

• Back then, American Idol was "the only game in town" (the only big show).
• Before Idol, there was a show called Star Search.
• After Idol became popular, many other shows appeared:
  • America’s Got Talent
  • So You Think You Can Dance
  • and more
• Taylor explained that now the audience’s attention is "spreading the love" among many shows, so it’s tougher for contestants.

Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday

Taylor also took part in the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration (the country’s big birthday). He performed a song called "Nineteen", which honors young Americans who stepped up to serve after the September 11 attacks.

He said about the milestone:

"Well, I think we’ve come a long way as a country. From where we started, from our Founding Fathers to this point, this is an amazing time in history for our country and we all should be proud that we’ve made it to 250, and here’s to 250 more."

What’s Next for Taylor?

Taylor is still busy making music and meeting fans:

• He will perform at Flora-Bama Lounge on July 11.
• He will host the Connecticut Country Music Festival in North Haven, Connecticut, on August 1.

Summary

Taylor Hicks won American Idol in 2006 and became famous overnight. But he says being a star is tougher than it looks. Thanks to his parents and his faith, he stayed kind and humble. His advice to young dreamers: be patient, trust in God, and enjoy the good times because they will change. Today, talent shows are more crowded, but he is thankful for his chance. He continues to sing, celebrate America, and tour with upcoming shows in July and August.

FAQ

Q1: Who is Taylor Hicks?
A: He is a singer from Birmingham, Alabama, who won American Idol in 2006 at age 29. His fan group is called the "Soul Patrol."

Q2: What did Taylor say about life after winning?
A: He said it was "a lot tougher than it seems" and not as glamorous as fans imagined.

Q3: What advice would he give to his younger self?
A: He would say "Be patient and trust in God" and to enjoy the wave of success because it will eventually crash.

Q4: How did he stay grounded?
A: He listened to his parents, stayed nice to others, and kept his faith and Alabama roots.

Q5: What is Taylor doing now?
A: He is performing at Flora-Bama Lounge in July, hosting a country music festival in August, and recently sang for America’s 250th birthday.

About the Author

Stephanie Giang-Paunon is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to stephanie.giang@fox.com and on Twitter: @SGiangPaunon.