Taylor Hicks credits his blue-collar Birmingham roots and faith for keeping him grounded nearly 20 years after winning 'American Idol' in 2006.
Taylor Hicks credits faith and blue-collar Birmingham roots for keeping him grounded after ' American Idol' winSteven McBee says his father’s prison sentence will end up as the ‘best moment’ for their familyAnne Wilson says Christians must be bold about their faith Jessie James Decker is surprised by how much she still loves her husband after more than a decade of marriageDrew Baldridge says faith and family keep him grounded as career takes offTaylor Hicks credits faith and blue-collar Birmingham roots for keeping him grounded after ' American Idol' win" in 2006, Taylor Hicks has cemented his status as a beloved entertainer.
From sold-out shows and a successful Las Vegas residency to television hosting and Broadway appearances, the Birmingham, Alabama-native has remained steadfastly grounded. He credits his humbleness to two things: his blue-collar roots and faith.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, the 49-year-old — who was dubbed the"Soul Patrol" leader during his run on the singing competition show 20 years ago — spoke about how his hometown has helped him navigate Hollywood's ups and downs and shared what makes him happiest these days.
" is a blue-collar town. You know, I think it would be kind of like growing up in Pittsburgh or something," said Hicks.
"So, you know, Boston, which I love to go there and perform because I got a pretty big constituency in blue-collar towns. I think it's a testament to the people that live there, the hard work, my family ... I had a really, really good, hardworking base of Birmingham folks that I love, and I still get to see.
"," he said. "I'm really happy that you know I can be in the business that I will always love to be in. Over the years, the arc of my career, I am going on 20-something years in show business plus, and I am very, very fortunate to be able to be in the business I love, and I don't go to work every day. I love what I do and am just very blessed.
" CARRIE UNDERWOOD WARNS HOLLYWOOD IS A 'SELF-SERVING BUSINESS,' CREDITS FAITH FOR KEEPING HER GROUNDED Before his"Idol" run, Hicks — who released his latest single"The Mirror" last month — often performed at local bars and clubs throughout the Southeast. When he auditioned for the show at 29 years old, however, the musician had no idea what was in store for him.
"It's been a whirlwind since my win in show business," he recently told People. "I mean, I'm coming up on almost 23 or 24 years in show business, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. ""I mean, was the greatest platform," he continued. "The dream that I had when I was a little boy, in making it and being an entertainer, was realized on 'American Idoland that win," he says.
"And I'm very nostalgic about going back on the show and seeing everybody. ""I went from playing to 50 people in my little bar called the Oasis in Birmingham to touring Southeast Asia in seven months," he added. "So that's the kind of impact that 'Idol' made for me at that time. "," Hicks told Fox News Digital.
"I think the last talent show that was on television was 'Star Search. ' And once 'Idol' became so successful, I think 'America's Got Talent,' 'So You Think You Can Dance. ' There's all these entities that kind of popped up that you really have to compete for now. So I think it is tougher for contestants on shows like that, because they're kind of spreading the love.
""The first thing that I would tell myself right when I won 'American Idol' is enjoy the wave as much as you can because in this business, sooner or later, it's going to crash, and you've got to catch another one. "
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