American Idol’s Taylor Hicks Spills on Season 5 Finalists’ Reunion: Are They Still in Touch Before 20th Anniversary Special?

WARNING! THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS ABOUT AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 24! As the highly anticipated reunion episode of American Idol Season 24 approaches on May 4, former winner Taylor Hicks has shared that he remains in close contact with most of his fellow Top 10 finalists from Season 5. Hicks clinched the title in 2006, outshining runner-up Katharine McPhee, largely due to the unwavering support of his dedicated fan base known as the Soul Patrol.

In the nearly two decades following his victory, Hicks has been busy carving out a diverse career. He has released two studio albums titled Taylor Hicks and The Distance, along with his 2023 single, “Porch Swing.” His talents have also taken him to the stage, where he starred in a Broadway revival and national tour of Grease as Teen Angel. Additionally, Hicks has enjoyed a Las Vegas residency, made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry, hosted the INSP original series State Plate, and opened SAW’s Juke Joint, a restaurant in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. On May 4, coinciding with his return to the American Idol stage, Hicks will release his latest single, “The Mirror.”

The Season 5 Top 10 finalists included Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Paris Bennett, Kellie Pickler, Ace Young, Bucky Covington, the late Mandisa, and Lisa Tucker. Each contestant has carved out a successful path in the entertainment industry since their American Idol days. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their season, Taylor, Elliott, Paris, Kellie, and Bucky are set to return to the show. They will perform duets with the current Top 5 contestants: Braden Rumfelt, Chris Tungseth, Hannah Harper, Jordan McCullough, and Keyla Richardson.

The American Idol season 5 Top 10 finalists consisted of Taylor, Katharine, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Paris Bennett, Kellie Pickler, Ace Young, Bucky Covington, the late Mandisa, and Lisa Tucker, in order. All of these contestants have gone on to have very successful careers in the entertainment business. Now, Taylor, Elliott, Paris, Kellie, and Bucky will return to American Idol to celebrate their season’s 20th anniversary, and sing duets with the current Top 5: Braden Rumfelt, Chris Tungseth, Hannah Harper, Jordan McCullough, and Keyla Richardson.

Taylor Hicks Still Keeps In Touch With His Fellow American Idol Season 5 Finalists

In an interview with People, Taylor revealed that he still keeps in touch with most of his fellow American Idol season 5 Top 10 finalists. He shared, “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.” Taylor also stated that he’s proud to see many of his fellow contestants still having success in the industry.

Taylor Feels Nostalgic About Returning To American Idol

Via billboard.com

Taylor is looking forward to his American Idol return, and feels nostalgic about being back on that stage. He said, “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. And I’m very nostalgic about going back on the show and seeing everybody.”

Taylor also can’t wait to interact with the American Idol season 24 Top 5 finalists, Braden, Chris, Hannah, Jordan, and Keyla. He gushed, “I’m really excited to be around the contestants. I’m excited to hear those voices live. And mostly just soaking up all of the vibe and the nostalgia of really being blessed to be back on after 20 years and still kicking.”

Not only will Taylor have the chance to meet the newest bunch of American Idol finalists, but he’ll have a blast from the past as the original judges who discovered him during his season, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, will return for the season 5 20th anniversary episode. Randy will serve as the mentor for the Top 5 finalists, while Paula will be a guest judge, alongside the current judges, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan. However, the third original judge, Simon Cowell, has not been announced as a returnee for the episode.

It’s very sweet to hear that Taylor and his fellow American Idol season 5 Top 10 finalists still keep in touch twenty years after they took the show by storm. Taylor, Elliott, Paris, Kellie, and Bucky will surely help the current Top 5 finalists, Braden, Chris, Hannah, Jordan, and Keyla, soar to new heights during their duets. This is the penultimate episode before the finale, and only three of them will advance. The May 4 episode will also have a Dancing With The Stars crossover round, so the finalists will have two chances to earn America’s Vote. American Idol season 24 has the potential to give rise to just as many superstars as season 5, and it’s going to be thrilling to see what the future holds for the finalists.

Source: People

Release Date

2002 – 2016-00-00

Network

ABC

Showrunner

Nigel Lythgoe

Directors

Ken Warwick

Franchise(s)

American Idol