Taylor Hicks
It's been quite a year for Taylor Hicks. After mutually splitting with his record company, Arista, in January, the former American Idol champ took his career into his own hands by starting his own label, Modern Whomp Records, and taking a little music breather to get into acting. And no, there was no From Justin to Kelly monstrosity. Hicks made his Broadway debut in Grease as Teen Angel, the one (role) that he wanted and loved so much that he's joining the musical on a nationwide tour. Before the festivities kick off Dec. 2, the man behind the Soul Patrol chatted with TVGuide.com about jump-starting his acting career, his upcoming, as-yet-untitled album and why he loves working overtime.
TVGuide.com: Let's start at the beginning. How'd you land the role of Teen Angel?
Taylor Hicks: I've been offered to do ...
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Taylor Hicks
Former American Idol champ Taylor Hicks was "very saddened" to hear about the recent death of ex-Idol hopeful and Paula Abdul fan, Paula Goodspeed, outside of Abdul's home.
"My thoughts ...
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Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks has more than his birthday to celebrate on Tuesday.
The Season 5 American Idol champ has partnered with indie company Artist to Market, in conjunction with his own label, Modern Whomp Records, to release his second solo album next winter, he announced.
"In this digital age, when artists can connect more directly with audiences, this is a partnership that makes a lot of sense," the singer said. "I'm very much enjoying being in the studio with Simon [Cline] working on the new album and look forward to releasing it through A2M early next year."
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Taylor Hicks by Jim Spellman/ WireImage.com
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 add...
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Taylor Hicks stamp courtesy Idol Gives Back
How do you know you've gotten a letter from a member of the Soul Patrol? Because this guy on the right is grinning at ya from the corner of the envelope. The latest issue in the Idol Gives Back limited-edition stamp collection is Season 5 champ Taylor Hicks, and TVGuide.com has been offered this sneak peek at his postage. Previous reveals included Idols Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia and Carrie. Only 2,000 of each stamp are being made available per state.The books of stamps are available for purchase at PhotoStamps.com, with $10 of the above-face-value price going to Idol Gives Back's charity efforts. — MWMMore Idol news and views:• Cheers & Jeers: Castro's Reign of Terror Must End!• WATCH VIDEO: Michael Johns and Carly Smithson Sing U2• WATCH VIDEO: Jason Castro Forgets Lyrics• Ryan Seacrest to Replace Larry King on CNN?
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Alyssa Milano by Donato Sardella/ WireImage.com
Most All-Star games are dullsville — did anyone watch last night's Pro Bowl? — but the NBA does its best to keep interesting. The annual NBA All-Star Celebrity Game is often an amusing spectacle leading up to the big game. This year's eclectic collection of singers, actors and WNBA players should keep that tradition going. Ne-Yo? Taylor Hicks? Ando from Heroes?Alyssa Milano and Gabrielle Union will coach the two teams. Access Hollywood co-anchor Tony Potts, who was MVP of last year's game, will be on the floor for Milano's squad.Here are the two teams, which will face off Friday (Feb. 15, 7 pm/ET, ESPN) at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans:New Orleans Team: Ne-Yo (Grammy-winning singer) Zach Gilford (Friday Night Lights) Taylor Hicks (2006 American Idol winner) Seth Gilliam (The Wire) James Lafferty (One Tree Hill) Master P (rapper and Dancing With the Stars alum) Ruth Riley (WNBA All-Star, San Antonio S...
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Chris Sligh courtesy Fox
This Wednesday's American Idol is a "Best of the Rest" recap of the Season 7 auditions we didn't see throughout each city. That got us thinking about some of the best auditions we've seen, regardless of whether the candidate went on to Idol greatness. Instead of a top-10 list, we thought we'd have a battle of the sexes: the best women's auditions versus the best from the men. — Erin FoxTop Five Women's Auditions5) Frenchie Davis, "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" | Watch on YouTubeHoly crap, we think our ear drums just burst listening to her amazing vocal power. Randy and Paula gave her a standing ovation (Simon, of course, stayed seated but clapped as enthusiastically as he could), and if she hadn't been kicked off the show for those naughty pictures, there's no telling how far Frenchie could have gone. 4) Carrie Underwood, "I Can't Make You Love Me" | Watch on YouTubeWho knew this farm girl who sported the '80s wardrobe and glamour-shots makeup at her audition would become ...
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Word of the day: Overwhell. No, not overwhelm, just overwhell….We’ve arrived in Birmingham — the home of Bo Bice, Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard. Frankly, I haven’t seen much of any of them over the past year. Now 11,000 potential American Idols await their fates. Please, someone, tell me what was up with Ms. Abdul? She was definitely on something. She was up, she was down, and that was only during day one. She didn’t even bother to show up for day two. Another night full of many wastes-of-time and only 20 make it to Hollywood. (Thank God, or Simon?)I was terrified when the woman who uttered the word “hisself” was sent to Hollywood. Evidently, correct grammar is not a necessary attribute of an American Idol. Jamie Lynn Ward, aka the Blue-eyed Bombshell, had a boob job and a nose job and couldn’t have been 20 years old. Though after hearing her life story, she deserves whatever happiness she can find. Her father shot her step-mom, no mention ...
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American Idol's Elliott Yamin
There was a time when no one wanted to hear Elliott Yamin sing. "I was always loud, interrupting my mom on the phone or my brother doing his homework," the 27-year-old Virginian recalls with a laugh. "I would annoy everybody."
Today, it's a different story. Yamin may have come in third on American Idol, but he endeared himself to millions during its record-breaking fifth run. (As of May 30, an AOL poll placed him fifth on its "Best Idol of All Time" list. Winner Taylor Hicks tied for third; runner-up
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American Idol's Elliott Yamin
There was a time when no one wanted to hear Elliott Yamin sing. "I was always loud, interrupting my mom on the phone or my brother doing his homework," the 27-year-old Virginian recalls with a laugh. "I would annoy everybody."
Today, it's a different story. Yamin may have come in third on American Idol, but he endeared himself to millions during its record-breaking fifth run. (As of May 30, an AOL poll placed him fifth on its "Best Idol of All Time" list. Winner Taylor Hicks tied for third; runner-up
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