Taylor Hicks was crowned the winner of “American Idol” season 5 in 2006. Since then, he’s released three studio albums. 20 years after his victory, the crooner is returning to the “Idol” stage for a performance. Ahead of his return, Hicks is reflecting on his career. Plus, his new song, “The Mirror,” will be released on May 4.
Hicks spoke to PEOPLE in April 2026. In speaking about the legacy of the show, Hicks said, “I guess when you see just how long the show’s been running, you see the winners over the years, and you definitely start doing the math a little bit.”
He continued, “But at the same time, it’s been a whirlwind since my win in show business. I mean, I’m coming up on almost 23 or 24 years in show business, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Taylor Hicks Opens Up About His ‘American Idol’ Return
GettyHicks continued his PEOPLE interview, reflecting on what “American Idol” meant for him and his career. According to him, “I mean, it was the greatest platform … The dream that I had when I was a little boy, in making it and being an entertainer, was realized on ‘American Idol’ and [with] that win.”
He added, “And I’m very nostalgic about going back on the show and seeing everybody.” As fans will recall, season 5 of “American Idol” was stacked with talent, including Katherine McPhee and Chris Daughtry.
Regarding where he stands with his fellow contestants, Hicks stated, “I feel like I have most of the top 10 in my cell phone still, and I do keep up with everybody as much as we can. People learned how to actually text message on my season. I mean, literally, they learned how to text on their phones watching ‘American Idol’ in 2006 on season 5.”
He continued reflecting on 2006, saying, “It was just when the communal aspect of social media was just forming. And that’s what’s really another nostalgic thing for me, is [that] we were a part of history. And I must say, we made for some great television.”
After that, Hicks was asked if he watched old clips from his “American Idol” days. He stated that he sees a “really green apple,” alluding to the experience he’s gained as a performer since his earlier days.
The singer added, “I mean, literally, ‘Idol’ is a crash in show business in six months. I went from playing to 50 people in my little bar called the Oasis in Birmingham to touring Southeast Asia in seven months. So that’s the kind of impact that Idol made for me at that time.”
Who Else Is Performing on The ‘Idol’ Reunion
GettySeason 24 of “American Idol” is ongoing, and the May 4 episode is set to serve as a “class of 2006” reunion special. According to Good Housekeeping, the top 5 contestants from this season will sing with “Idol” legends.
The five people competing for the crown are: Chris Tungseth, Hannah Harper, Brandon Rumfelt, Keyla Richardson, and Jordan McCullough.
In addition to Hicks, Kellie Pickler, Paris Bennett, Bucky Covington, and Elliot Yamin will perform alongside one of the remaining contestants. Additionally, former judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson will appear.
As mentioned, Hicks will release his new single, “The Mirror,” on the same day as his “American Idol” return.
