Taylor Reuben Hicks of Alabama, United States is the winner of the fifth season of “American Idol”. The singing competition television series was created by Simon Fuller, who was born in Cyprus.
Runner-up to Hicks was Katharine Hope McPhee. Born in Los Angeles, California, USA, she turned 22 on March 25, 2006.
Taylor Hicks
Hicks was born in Birmingham, Alabama to Bradley Hicks and Pamela Dickinson. In 1984, the family moved to Hoover, Alabama.
In 1992, Taylor bough his first harmonica for $2 at a flea market in Bessemer, Alabama. On October 7, 2005, he turned 29.
Taylor is the second male winner of “American Idol” following Ruben Studdard, who won the second season. The first, third and fourth seasons were won by Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino and Carrie Underwood, respectively.
“American Idol” Season 5
- singing competition: “American Idol“
- season: 5
- television network: Fox
- dates: January 17, 2006 – May 24, 2006
- judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson
- host: Ryan Seacrest
| PLACEMENT | SINGER |
| Winner | Taylor Hicks |
| 1st runner-up | Katharine McPhee |
| 3rd | Elliott Yamin |
| 4th | Chris Daughtry |
| 5th | Paris Bennett |
| 6th | Kellie Pickler |
| 7th | Ace Young |
| 8th | Bucky Covington |
| 9th | Mandisa |
| 10th | Lisa Tucker |
| 11th | Kevin Covais |
| 12th | Melissa McGhee |
| Top 16 | Ayla Brown Gedeon McKinney Kinnik Sky Will Makar |
| Top 20 | Brenna Gethers David Radford Heather Cox José “Sway” Penala |
| Top 24 | Becky O’Donohue Bobby Bennett Patrick Hall Stevie Scott |
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