The season 5 champ adds that the only night he didn't get the tip was the finale which saw him winning against Katharine McPhee.
- Jun 30, 2018
AceShowbiz - "American Idol" champion Taylor Hicks reveals a bombshell information about the singing competition show. While the moment when Ryan Seacrest would announce who would be eliminated in each episode serves as a heart-wrenching moment for the viewers, it appears it's not the case for the contestants.
During an interview on WJOX radio Friday, June 29, in Birmingham, AL, Hicks revealed that he was tipped about the results when he joined the show in its season 5. He said, "I had an 'in' in the whole production of the show."
He added that the only night he didn't get the tip was the finale which saw him winning against Katharine McPhee. However, he did get a hint that he would be announced as the winner when executive producer Nigel Lythgoe gave him a "wink and a nod."
Hicks didn't claim that the results were staged, though. However, should Hicks tell the truth, people need to question the shocked looks on the singers' faces during the emilination in each episode.
Meanwhile, it's currently unknown who was Hicks' source and for how many other seasons that the source tipping off the contestants.
After being canceled by FOX, "American Idol" is revived by ABC. The series wrapped its latest season last month. Season 16 finale saw Gabby Barrett, Caleb Lee Hutchinson and Maddie Poppe going against each other to win the champion title before it was announced that Maddie won the competition.
Judge Katy Perry had expressed her desire for Maddie to win. She told Billboard after the show, "I honestly didn't know [who would win]. And maybe that was why I was vocal about it, because I didn't know if a girl next-door singer-songwriter had the chance. Because the country audience is really, really strong. I think Maddie has all kinds of appeal and I think it's written in the stars and that’s what the stars said."
Gabby was the third place finisher, while Maddie's boyfriend Caleb was the runner-up.
