Twenty years after winning “American Idol,” singer/songwriter Taylor Hicks still has an amazing voice — but he’s keeping quiet about what happened after his adorable offer to Kelly Clarkson went viral in March 2026.
After Clarkson revealed on her talk show that she never received the Ford Mustang promised to her as part of her “American Idol” winnings in 2002, Hicks sang her praises to Page Six, calling himself a “big fan,” and then quipped, “I would be more than happy to help her find a new Mustang.” His comments instantly went viral, so we’re sure Clarkson got wind of them — so, has the Grammy winner taken Hicks up on his offer?
Taylor Hicks is Keeping What Happened Next Under Wraps
Hicks’ flirty invitation was picked up by media outlets around the world in mid-March. He even added a little fuel to the fire by sharing one of the articles on Instagram and writing, “Just waiting for the call, @kellyclarkson!”
When EntertainmentNow asked whether all the buzz took him aback, Hicks laughed, “Nothing surprises me in this business anymore, but Kelly is a sweetheart and a consummate professional. And I always love going on her show.”
Hicks continued, “She’s a doll, she’s a gem, and, you know, sometimes it’s just (about) having good fun in the press like that. You know, it’s a wholesome way of having a good time. And we need that. We need more of that.”
As for whether Clarkson has responded to his offer, Hicks just smiled widely and exclaimed, “I can’t tell all the secrets!”
He did note that there’s no better time for Clarkson, who’s leaving her talk show after the current season, to treat herself to the car she never got, teasing, “She needs a Mustang, a convertible. I think she’s not hosting this year, so she’s got some free time. She’s gonna want to have some wind in her hair! And a driver.”
Taylor Hicks Can’t Wait to Celebrate His 20th Anniversary With ‘American Idol’
GettyHicks is still busy making music and touring 20 years after winning “American Idol.” In fact, he performed his 2024 single “Porch Swing” on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”
Next up, Hicks told EntertainmentNow, he recorded a new single — “a country, soulful ditty” called “The Mirror” — at the iconic Sun Studios in Memphis, slated for release in early May.
“American Idol” executive producer Megan Michaels Woflick told Billboard that a 20th anniversary reunion “with the class of 2006” will happen during the final weeks of season 24, which will wrap up in mid-May.
While she did not reveal which contestants will return, Hicks is a shoo-in as the 2006 winner and can’t wait to be back on the “American Idol” stage, see some of his peers, and reconnect with people behind the scenes who’ve been there all these years.
As for which contestants he’s remained connected to since 2006, Hicks told EntertainmentNow, “I keep in touch with Katherine (McPhee) a little bit, and Chris Daughtry. Elliot (Yamin), I’m really close to. Kellie Pickler. There’s, you know, five or six of us that we all kind of keep in touch with over the years. We keep up with our texts.”
“And I mean, it truly changed our lives,” he continued. “When you go through something like that with somebody, especially fame to a certain degree, now that we’re 20 years in, you look back on it and you’re very fond of the people you went through that with.”
Season 24 of “American Idol” airs Monday nights on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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