Taylor Hicks' Career Goes Idle

What a difference a year makes!

Just one year after being crowned "American Idol" in the usual media frenzy, Taylor Hicks performed at The Grove in Anaheim last night -- to little or no hoopla. Taylor who?

While paparazzi and fans staked out the nearby House of Blues to catch Britney's wigged-out mime-a-palooza, TMZ was the lone camera documenting the noticeably tamer crowd at the Hicks show. The Soul Patrol has left the building.

As America nears coronation of a new "Idol," Melinda Doolittle and Jordin Sparks should take heed: Sometimes when you win, you actually lose. Just ask Ruben Studdard.



Tags: Taylor Hicks, TaylorHicks

Reader Comments

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46. My GOD -- can this get anymore ridiculous?! Taylor Hicks did not win because of any specific talent. Sure -- he can hold a tune, but he's not in a class with past contestants like Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson or Latoya London. Heck -- his contemporaries from Season 5 -- Elliot Yamin, Chris Daughtry and Katherine McPhee -- were more skilled as vocalists. He 'won' because a segment of the "American Idol" voting public enjoyed watching him hop around on stage like he was on a crack binge! Taylor was a momentary fad, pure and simple. You can be sure that his label is looking to buy him out of his contract.

Posted at 4:42PM on May 3rd 2007 by Mervin Malone Jr.

47. Hicks did not "screw" Chris Daughtry out of anything. Fans were either complacent about voting or his fans were just lurker viewers and never voted but bought his music when it came out. Either way it is just plain ridiculous to blame his loss on Hicks. Hicks by the way is enjoying his own brand of success with sold out concerts across the county and an album that contrary to popular belief has gone platinum. I personally wish both men the best of luck in thier future careers.

Posted at 6:47PM on May 3rd 2007 by Anne

48. Last year's American Idol produced a lot of success stories. Chris Daughtry is doing great in rock, both Bucky Covington and Kellie Pickler have hit CD's in the country genreTaylor Hicks is doing what he loves by touring and live performances. They are all very successful in the fields of their choice. I don't hear anything about Katherine McFee, or Elliot or Ace - what are they doing? And I'd love to hear Mandisa sing again - she was great?

Posted at 4:52PM on May 3rd 2007 by just wondering

49. YUCK YUCK AND MORE YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!
I neaver could stand to hear him sing and he's ugly.
THEY should have chosen Katherine or Chris

Posted at 4:56PM on May 3rd 2007 by YUCKt

50. I agree with Simon, who said Taylor Hicks would not have won had it not been for his grey hair.

Posted at 4:55PM on May 3rd 2007 by coolbreeze

51. Just saw Hicks perform in Baltimore. Sorry TMZ, but your erstanding of the real meaning of the word "idle" needs some work. Daughtry may have a number one hit, but so what? Hicks is about artistry and his VERY busy tour is selling out across the country. His Baltimore gig was SRO and tons of people had to be turned away (and not just soccer moms either) and we've gotten reports from numerous parts of the country that tell similar truths. On top of that, his LP went to number two and went platinum. If that's failure, give me some of that!

Taylor is happy, healthy, kicking butt onstage, making REAL music, being sought out by stellar artists (most recently the Allman Brothers) to sit in, and having the career of his dreams. Sounds like a winner to me. And this is a marathon, not a sprint -- as Daughtry sings, "It's not over." Idle? Puh-leeze. As if selling scads of derivative, Nickelback cops to tweens and 20somethings is seen as some sort of accomplishment. The mainstream is great for those not adventurous, brave, creative, knowledgeable or intelligent enough to look beyond the Clearchannel-approved wasteland. Trust me, the world we non-mainstreamers inhabit is far more stimulating and meaningful on levels artistic, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional. Chris Daughtry wouldn't fit into that world, so thank goodness he has your world, the world of people whose taste resides only in their mouths, to embrace him. Our world has Taylor and other true musicians you likely would ridicule (branding you as the clueless one). Too bad for you.

Posted at 5:10PM on May 3rd 2007 by Real Musician

52. Taylor is the winner of American Idol Season 5. (period no discussion) Fact: Sour grapes from other fan groups will not change that fact. Fact:Taylor Hicks is a platinum recording artist. Certified Platinum by RIAA in January 2007. Fact: Taylor Hicks is selling out concerts across the United States. Fact: Taylor Hicks is in demand as an entertainer in many different setting. Opinion: Taylor Hicks is the best live entertainer I have seen in years. Opinion: Taylor Hicks is a class action and keeps his focus on producing good live music. Opinion:American Idol has not treated their reign winner well. Fact: I no longer watch American Idol

Posted at 5:23PM on May 3rd 2007 by Claireb7tx

53. I agree that Chris Daughtry is the true winner from last season. He is going to have the best career. In my opinion, Taylor won because he won the hearts of a lot of people, but he was by far NOT the most talented. I personally don't see his future being HUGE, but there's room in this world for more than one person. Just because I'm not a Taylor fan, I'm not going to sit anonymously behind my keyboard and trash the guy. I hope things go well for him, and if he has a fan base that loves him, great for all of them.

I'm tired of people being trashed and dissed just because they're there.

Posted at 5:29PM on May 3rd 2007 by Sarah G.

54. Actually, Taylor has done all right, selling nearly 700,000 copies of his album and performing to sold-out crowds in cities across the U.S. No, he's not a multi-platinum seller like other former Idol winners, but he's doing what he loves to do, making money, and establishing himself for the long haul. Taylor is going to be around for a while. Don't count him out just yet.

Posted at 5:47PM on May 3rd 2007 by foxydonna

55. You've GOT to be kidding Harvey and TMZ! I didn't see any empty seats. We saw him perform in March in Milwaukee...sold out, standing ovations, great entertainer. He isn't a performer where everyone stands throughout the entire concert like a Bon Jovi gig! It's a mellow crowd, various ages of fans. Chris has a different fan base...so does Ruben, Fantasia and Clay.

Posted at 5:40PM on May 3rd 2007 by Soul Patrol!!

56. Seems back in the 1950's, there was another guy from the south with strange hair and strange dance moves, a guy that kinda mumbled when he talked, and had a cult following. A lot of people thought that he'd be a flash in the pan, too, and he had to reinvent his career a few times through the years. Even though he moved like he was stung by a bee, and even though his voice and appearance was different, he outlasted everyone from the 50's and 60's and even performed on American Idol last week with Celine Dion, and was the star of the show. Those southern boys like Elvis and Taylor have a charm and durability about them, so don't count Taylor out yet. I don't know what Taylor's legacy will ultimately be, I'm betting that he'll be around for a long time.......

Posted at 5:45PM on May 3rd 2007 by just wondering

57. If you are going to defend someone, you should have your facts straight. Ruben's first album was certified DOUBLE PLATINUM. His second album, the gospel one, is certified gold and is one of the top 30 best selling gospel albums of all time. His latest album has two songs that have hit the top of the charts. He earned his Grammy nod on his first every single, before he ever released an album. The album came out too late to be considered. He also has Billboard, NAACP Image, Teen Choice and various other awards. He has been honored by his city, his state, and the Boys and Girls Club. The list of his accomplishments goes on and on, but the subject of this article is really Taylor.

Taylor's goal in entering American Idol was to tour the country and maybe the world eventually. He calls the tour bus his home. He is living his dream. That is success.

Posted at 6:04PM on May 3rd 2007 by The Truth

58. Forgot to add, no Ruben fan calls Clay "Gayken". Trolls and people who think they were his lover do.

Posted at 6:07PM on May 3rd 2007 by The Truth

59. Taylor Hicks is the worst American Idol EVER. He has the lowest sales of a winner and has shown himself to be rude to interviewers and fans alike. He hops around on stage like he has insects crawling all over him. Maybe if he would stop smoking, he might be able to hold a note for longer than one quarter of a second. How this joke won, I will never know, but I do know what is good music and he is not a good singer. He will be forgotten by fall of 2007.

Posted at 6:14PM on May 3rd 2007 by Auburn-Taylorfan

60. I can't believe that anyone takes an article seriously that pretty much states that the place to be last night was at a Britney Spears concert......LMAO.....Entertainment Tonight reported that she lip synched the whole show...that just goes to show how shallow the entertainment press is.....they do not know what musical artistry is....Taylor Hicks is fantastic in concert.....and believe me...Chris Daughtry and all the other contestants from last year would be the first to agree with me....

Posted at 6:57PM on May 3rd 2007 by Terry

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