Taylor Hicks
News (Page 5)

Just because he's risen to fame doesn't mean he's set for life. What if an accident happens? What if he has a wife and kids someday. We all love the glitz and glamour of American Idol, but these are real people just like us. They need to ensure that they are financially secure not just now, at the peak of their fame, but down the road a ways.

The average American needs life insurance to protect the loved ones he or she will leave behind. But let’s say you win the lottery, or even better, American Idol! Does Taylor Hicks really need life insurance? After all, he just won a recording contract, a new Ford Mustang and many, many American dollars.

The answer may surprise you.

There are several types of life insurance, the most popular being term life, which is sold in increments of 10, 15, 20 years, etc., i.e., for a specific term. Term life insurance is a great fit for families since it provides affordable coverage and can protect a family from the loss of primary wage earners during the critical years when children are dependents living at home.

Hicks, as all you female fans know, is single, with no family, no loving wife, no children depending on his recording career to keep them afloat. So he naturally doesn't need life insurance, right? Wrong. If you win American Idol, the lottery, or any other substantial cash prize, you might think you are set for life.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The record contract an Idol might sign with Simon Fuller might have some clauses that would require the winners’ estate to pay back money in case of an untimely death, such as one that occurs in the middle of a tour or even a recording session. Once Hicks or a plain old lotto jackpot winner spend all of that money, there might not be enough left over to cover funeral costs, medical bills, or provide for future generations for many years to come.

Taylor, if you are reading this, and we know you are, you probably want to purchase term life insurance in the near future. Trust us.

Thank goodness for Entertainment Weekly. The magazine reviewed a concert from the Season Five American Idol tour last week. With Taylor, Chris and the crew at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, NJ, here's one critic's take on various performers:

Most likely to succeed: Based on audience feedback, Chris Daughtry may be poised for the biggest post-Idol career. It doesn't hurt that the guy is sex on a stick - parents should probably to cover the wee ones' ears and eyes during his cover of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" - but he's also the most polished, confident performer of the bunch.

Most embarrassing: Ace Young will never advance beyond cheesy Idol also-ran status, if only for his painfully literal on-stage gestures. He traced a tear down his face on two separate occasions - singing the words "cried" on "Father Figure" and "cries" on Maroon 5's "Harder to Breathe." He also tapped his head meaningfully on the word "mind." That's just wrong.

Most surprising: Tenth-place finisher Lisa Tucker had the night's strongest showing among the women, sitting down at the piano to offer a restrained, heartfelt rendition of Elton John's "Your Song" - with no accompaniment from the band.

Most disappointing: Since her grandma Ann Nesby is apparently unwilling to say it, I'll deliver a much needed newsflash to Paris Bennett: "Young lady, you are not, nor will you ever be, the next Beyoncé Knowles." Paris' shenanigans on "Crazy in Love" provided too much awkward wiggle, and almost no vocal sizzle.

Most in need of a good life coach: After hearing his awesome one-two-three punch of "Moody's Mood for Love," "Never Too Much," and "Trouble," who could deny that Elliott Yamin is the best singer on the entire Idol tour? However, even after winning over millions of fans en route to a third-place finish, the guy still looks vaguely skittish at center stage. It might help if he traded a solo career for fronting a smooth jazz-R&B band.

Most sincere: It was actually Kellie Pickler. She sounded sincerely genuine thanking her fans for giving her a chance at fulfilling her dreams.

Most puzzling: No doubt, Taylor Hicks has a fine voice. And no doubt, he's going to sell boatloads of records. Still, this year's champ offered up a set that was just slightly underwhelming. Perhaps he's a little burned out from taking the lion's share of tour publicity, but after opening strong on "Jailhouse Rock" and Bob Seeger's "Hollywood Nights," he seemed oddly detached on "Sweet Soul Music" and "Don't Let Me Down."

What can't the American Idol finalists live without?

A lot of things, ranging from the physically essential (insulin) to the spiritual (the Bible) to the emotional (a blanket from home). As they kick off their 51-city tour in Manchester, N.H., the awesome Idols told People Magazine what special things they'll be taking with them on the road. The tour begins July 5. That's today!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I have two things: a bracelet that my fans made for me that says Ace Music on it and beanies so I can throw them out to fans. I have over 300 made. They're going to have a logo that my fans and I have put together." -- Ace Young

"A Taylor travel guitar. It's a little bitty one. It'll go in the bunk with me." -- Taylor Hicks

"A couple pictures of my family and my dog Lily." -- Katharine McPhee

"I have to bring my cowboy hat, black and brown." -- Bucky Covington

"My Bible, of course. The Psalms is a really great book because it runs every emotion possible. I imagine I could use that on tour." -- Mandisa

"My teddy bear. I got it for my Sweet 16 birthday last year and he's still alive. He's a caramel color and so soft. I bought him a new outfit because I just turned 17 on June 13." -- Lisa Tucker

"My little blankie from home. I've had it ever since I was little. It was passed along my family from my grandparents, from grandma to grandma to grandma." -- Kellie Pickler

"My stuffed-animal SpongeBob and my SpongeBob blanket. Kellie's blankie is not as cool as mine!" -- Paris Bennett

"Insulin. I really can't live without it (as a diabetic)." -- Elliott Yamin

Two weeks after reigning American Idol champion Taylor Hicks publicly talked about his first crush as a young boy, the girl from his past has contacted People magazine.

In a recent interview with People, the 29-year old Hicks said he never forgot his first crush.

"I was in the second grade, she was in the sixth," said Hicks, who added that he's always liked older women ever since.

After reading the article, 32-year old Christy Lee Worsham, now married, called People. She was surprised she made such an impact on Hicks.

"He was such a fun kid," Worsham said. "I'm married. But I'd like to reconnect. He was like a brother to me."

Hicks was ranked "hottest bachelor" by People earlier this month, and told the publication that he is on the lookout for another love interest -- a mystery blond woman he briefly exchanged glances with on an airline flight.

A spokeswoman for People, who set up an e-mail and mailing address to help track down Taylor's mystery woman, said there had been no luck in finding her as of Thursday. Oh well. We think he'll be alright. If he gets lonely, he could always holler at Katharine McPhee...

Fans of hip hop legend Snoop Dogg were stunned Saturday by the appearance of American Idol winner Taylor Hicks at one of the Doggfather's concerts.

Unbeknownst to fans until they saw him in person, Hicks joined the rap star on stage and played harmonica to one of Snoop's signature tracks, "Gin and Juice," at the Birmingham (Ala.) City Stages festival.

Hicks also performed some of his famous dance moves later in the rapper's set. The Alabama native was thrilled to share the stage with the rap mogul.

"I have the greatest respect for Snoop Dogg as an artist, but also as a family man, a businessman and an integral part of pop culture," he said. "Rap music has the most advanced lyricism there is. Rap is real. There's nothing pretentious about it. I'm very excited about appearing with Snoop. I think it's great."

Could their be a duet on the horizon for these unlikely friends? Probably not. But we'd like to see it. The two share such undeniable chemistry. Please send any bootlegs from Saturday to us immediately. We have got to hear this.

Taylor Hicks has always been a charmer... even way back in the day when he had brown hair.

At least according to Brooke Kelley Campbell, who dated the American Idol star and took him to her senior prom at Hoover High School in Birmingham, Alabama. Hicks' former girlfriend reflected on her time with the newest Idol singing phenom in an interview with People Magazine.

"Taylor was a fashion guy and he wanted to make sure that he matched my gloves and all that. My dress was green, and his tux was like a crisp green and navy plaid," said Campbell, now 29 and married, living with her husband and 18-month-old son in Roswell, Ga.

At the prom, Hicks was the center of attention, showing some signs of the choreography that helped him shine on American Idol, where he edged out Katharine McPhee to win the fifth season's top honor.

"[Taylor] was such a good dancer. He did what he called the 'Carlton Dance,' from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," Campbell said.

The singer's romance with Campbell lasted well after prom, as the pair dated for about a year. Hicks even went on a family vacation with her to Highlands, N.C., during that time.

"My mom thought he hung the moon. He was one of those guys that, if he was coming to pick me up to go somewhere and I wasn't quite ready, he would sit down in the den with my parents and just talk and talk and talk," Campbell said. "I would come in and say, 'OK, it's time to go. C'mon, Taylor, let's go.'"

It was also hard to drag him away from the basement of one of his friends, an early performing venue for Hicks.

"Taylor would be playing music, and that is just where we would go. Taylor was right in the middle of it. We all went over there because there was going to be entertainment, and Taylor happened to be the entertainment," Campbell said.

Some things never change.