Taylor Hicks has won US talent show, 'American Idol'. The Alabama singer - whose prize includes a $1 million recording contract and a Ford Mustang convertible - beat 22-year-old Katharine McPhee to take the title.

After his win, Hicks told journalists: "It's an exhilarating feeling. I am flabbergasted. I can't believe I'm the next American Idol.

"When I heard my called I had to tell myself, 'Don't just fall to the floor. Don't let your knees buckle'." He added: "Now I want to record an album that will be a really good representation of who I am as an artist - possibly something a little bit cutting-edge."

Host Ryan Seacrest revealed 63.4 million votes were cast during the two-hour final, saying: "That's more than any President in this country has ever received."

Hicks - who started out in the music industry fronting a blues band in Alabama - was favourite to win, especially after judge Simon Cowell recently told the singer live on TV: "Assuming that I was right and the show was tied, then you have just won 'American Idol'."

Hicks' mother, Pam Dickinson, also believed he had the competition sown up. During a recent interview, she said: "I knew this would happen.

"I knew he was going to become a star."

Screw that. Taylor is not even CLOSE to being the most talented one of this year’s group. Just goes to show you what a little audience manipulation will do. Rock on, Kat, you deserved to win!

I’m glad they picked him, its nice to see something different than pop music. I hope he does well. I like his hair too.

i like him but i do see the audience manipulation on the judges part….....that isn’t right

I wanted Katherine to win

I was a big Chris fan, but I’m really happy that Taylor won, even though he’s not the best singer of the group. His voice and vocal style is different and I like that. He has a great personality and he seems like a genuinely nice, happy person. Kat is a good singer, but she’s boring. She has a wooden personality and is way too arrogant for my taste. Rock on, Taylor! You deserve all the accolades in the world!

I had his son on the radio and I must say that this guy could actually sing.  The song was amazing and hearing it on the radio is completely different than hearing him sing it live with the screaming crowd.  On the radio it’s much cleaner, he reminds me of Bryan Adams.  Great songwriter and singer.  Compare Taylor and Bryan and you’ll see they sound just alike.

I thought Clay looked hot, yeah ppl say he looked gayer than ever, but its the first time I’ve ever even taken notice to him! I have alot more interest in him and his music now. I didnt really care who won because I think American Idol has been pretty lame this season.

BLAH BLAH BLAH>...Am I the only one who doesn’t like that TAYLOR won?  I loved Chris!  He’s a true star~  I’d buy his CD over anyone else’s on the show~  Maybe Elliot Yamin’s too~

I agree that Elliot and Chris were awesome, but I liked Taylor as well.  Most of all I am just happy that the talentless ass clown Katharine did not win.  If you listen to just the MP3 of her songs on tues night, they were HORRIBLE.  She really cannot sing.  Thank God for Taylor.

Damn, he’s fine.  I know that’s not supposed to be the basis for choosing the winner, and he does have a wonderful voice, but I just gotta say it… I’d tap that.

He takes the phrase “silver fox” to a whole new level.

he looks like a mix of jay leno and matthew perry.. not good that is..

I did not care who won, but I am glad that Taylor beat Katharine. I did not like Kat at all, but Taylor had the better performance than she did, especiallt their last song. I originally wanted either Chris or Paris to win. Chris had a better voice & stage presence, like he was a rock star already, and Paris could blow her little ass off. Taylor is not the best singer of the competition, but what was intriging about him was he acted a fool with his spasmatic dancing every week, he put on a show. He was not my favorite but I am happy Kat did not win. Something about her I just did not like. But I believe she will still sell records because she is attractive & does have a nice voice. I honestly think that American Idol is rigged because the best singers was not in the finals. Taylor & Katharine were not the best singers. Chris should have won, IMHO.

A few years ago a country singer friend and I used to go to Sam’s Town here in Vegas for Karaoke every week. When Idol began it’s auditions this season we instantly recognized Taylor Hicks from the Karoake nights where he used to sing as well. We enjoyed his unique performances then as much as now. It felt like watching an old friend win the brass ring he struggled so hard to grab. Way to go Taylor!

I’ve had it with these motherfuckin’ popup ads! Argh!

I noticed two things about Kat last night.  When they were signing with Carrie in the beginning, Kat was out in front of everyone else…kind of overshadowing Carrie.  Second..when the girls were all signing together, Kat was next to I think Paris and ??  and as they were finishing the song Kat kept looking back and forth to the girls on her sides while the girls kept looking at the audience.  It was like she was saying, I am so much better then you and you should be honored to be singing next to me.  Glad Taylor won…but Chris should of had it in the bag.  He sounded better singing the Live song..then the bands lead singer.  Wow..I feel better now. 

Oh and another thing…lol…I didn’t like Paris during the competition…but she freaking rocked it last night.  Good for her.  She is so much better as herself, then when she tries to imitate Beyonce or Mary J.  When is Chris’s record coming out?!?!?! 

He then revealed that he is actually 47 yrs old.

Seriously, will someone please verify the authenticity of his documentation.  29?!

I swear Taylor looks like he is 45 years old. Come on, dude, 29??? You were born in 1976?? The salt & pepper hair??? Surely, you gest!!! Next season, in the audition rounds, they should start making these older looking auditioners show their original birth certificates cause when I first saw Taylor, he did not look nowhere near no damn 29. Feed me, we are on the same page!!!

It’s entirely possible that he is in fact 29.  I’ve known men who go completely gray as early as 22 or 23.  I think it shows a lot of confidence to go natural.  He could have easily reached for the Grecian Male, but he didn’t.  Good for him!!

SOUL PATROL!!!!! I am so glad Taylor won. I have rooted for Taylor, Elliot, and Chris since the get-go. I think Chris should have won, but Taylor is waay better than Kat—just cause she’s hot, cmon people, she killed SO many songs and even forgot the lyrics!!!

I’m glad he won. This was the first time I ever watched any of it. I don’t think it’s right that the girl got to be on there since her dad is an employee of Fox and she was just a little too full of herself.

HEY RYAN!! You don’t vote for the U.S. President by phone and you can’t vote more than once you freakin’ MORON!!!!

IT’s about time a white male won!!!

I thought he was good- not the most talented, but I like to see that someone who could be himself- no dyed hair, no crappy pop music- could win. Not to mention that he’s from around here… we seem to be getting a lot of winers lately, not sure why.

I’m glad he won, katherine can sing but her voice wasn’t all that. Taylor has a nice voice and i like how he stayed true to himself by not selling out. But i can’t wait to see what he does in the future.

American Idol is one big joke.  Never watched it.

Maybe I am getting old.

I’ve had it with these motherfuckin’ popup ads! Argh!

Posted by janicedickinson

AMEN JANICE!

GREAT JOB TAYLOR! YOUR AWESOME! WE LOVE YOU!

The bitch even looks surprised that she lost! Way to go Taylor..whatta hotty! My husband went gray very young too. he’s 33 and is all gray!

TAYLOR IS AN ORIGINAL!!!  TO ALL YOU MACPHEE FANS, CRY TOGETHER!!!

There is a disorder that causes people to go gray sooner in their lives thasn others. I have seen kids younger than 12 with gray hair. Its sad.  Taylor was the right person to win. That bitch was robotic and mechanical. She came off as cold and insincere. Not a good entertainer. Maybe a good, trained voice but nothing more than tits other than that.
Glad Taylor won.

It’s not just the gray hair that makes him seem old, it’s the double chin, droopy eyes, deeplines in his face, doughy body, and the dance moves straight from 1970’s Joe Cocker.  ALL that makes him look old enough to be Anderson Cooper’s father.