Taylor Hicks Goes from Idol to Teen Angel

• May 16, 2008 03:04 PM ET
• by The Idol Chatters

Our favorite gray-haired, funky-dancing, soulful-singing American Idol winner Taylor Hicks will join the Broadway cast of Grease on June 6, reports the AP. You'd think the former Idol, who's been missing in action since losing his deal with J Records after selling a respectable 702K albums, would go after a part like sexy Danny Zuko or troublemaker Kenickie. But, no, this Idol winner wants to be your Teen Angel, and plans to add his trademark soulful sound to his version of "Beauty School Dropout."

Hicks joins a growing list of former Idols who have joined Broadway shows, including Fantasia ( The Color Purple), Clay Aiken ( Spamalot), Tamyra Gray ( Rent) and more. Hicks considers his debut "the opportunity of a lifetime," and a great way to season his skills as a performer.

And coming up this summer, Hicks will be finishing up his second album where he "had creative freedom and the time to write some of the best music that I've ever writen." And even though he's sans record deal, he adds, "there has been some great interest now that I'm a free agent." Soul Patrolers rejoice, your boy is back in town!

Would you go see Taylor belt out "Beauty School Dropout?" - Erin Fox

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