Continue to Hollywoodlife () SKIP AD
Hollywood Life Logo Image

Hollywood Life

Today's Top Stories

  • Karl-Anthony Towns & Jordyn Woods
    See Message

    Jordyn Woods Supports BF Karl-Anthony Towns After He Tests Positive For COVID-19

  • eminem
    Watch

    Eminem’s Daughter Hailie Jade, 24, Stuns In Mom Jeans For New Mirror Selfie Video

  • Thermal Leggings for Women
    SHOP

    Stay Cozy & Warm This Winter In These High-Waisted, Thermal Yoga Pants Women Love

Hollywood Life
  • Home
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Celebrity Bios
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Shopping
  • Celebrity News
  • World News
  • Exclusives
  • Politics
  • Celebrity Babies
  • Opinions
ALL NEWS
  • Vivica A. Fox

    Vivica A. Fox, 56, Confesses She’s Been ‘Dating’ A Mystery Man In Quarantine: ‘The Honeymoon Period Is Over’

  • Jordyn Woods Supports BF Karl-Anthony Towns After He Tests Positive For COVID-19: ‘You’re A True Fighter’

  • Serena Williams’ Daughter Olympia, 3, Laughs As She Watches Shakira Dance With Her Doll Qai Qai

  • Award Shows
  • At The Movies
  • TV
  • Music
  • Sports
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Holidays
  • Entertainment Features
  • Podcast
  • Oscar Contenders
ALL ENTERTAINMENT
  • light therapy lamp

    Feeling Stressed? This Light Therapy Lamp Brightens Your Mood & It’s 44% Off

  • Elle Winter Finds Herself Trapped In A ‘Sad Girl Heaven’ Full Of Basic Boys In Her New Music Video

  • Jimmy Kimmel & Mindy Kaling Are Shocked By A Mysterious #FlatMatthew In Teaser For Doritos’ SB Ad

  • Taylor Swift
  • Rihanna
  • Selena Gomez
  • Kim Kardashian
  • Kylie Jenner
  • Kendall Jenner
  • Justin Bieber
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Gigi Hadid
  • Khloe Kardashian
  • Jennifer Lopez
  • Angelina Jolie
  • Harry Styles
  • Kourtney Kardashian
ALL CELEBRITY BIOS
  • Vivica A. Fox

    Vivica A. Fox, 56, Confesses She’s Been ‘Dating’ A Mystery Man In Quarantine: ‘The Honeymoon Period Is Over’

  • Jordyn Woods Supports BF Karl-Anthony Towns After He Tests Positive For COVID-19: ‘You’re A True Fighter’

  • Serena Williams’ Daughter Olympia, 3, Laughs As She Watches Shakira Dance With Her Doll Qai Qai

  • Fragrance
  • Hair Care
  • Health
  • Makeup
  • Nails
  • Beauty Features
  • Skincare
  • Makeover
  • Diet & Fitness
ALL BEAUTY
  • Missy Elliott

    Missy Elliott Debuts Rockin’ Bright Purple Pixie Cut Hair Makeover — See Pics

  • Jennifer Garner Rocks Bangs While Out In LA & 15 More Stars Who Look Great With The Hair Makeover

  • These Patches Have 6k Reviews & Help Treat Frown Lines For Less Than A Quarter Of The Price Of Botox

  • Red Carpet
  • Weddings
  • Fashion Features
  • Shopping
ALL FASHION
  • Larsa Pippen Cozies Up To Look-A-Like Daughter Sophia, 13, Wearing A $1700 Fanny Pack: See Pic

  • Kim Kardashian Rocks Sexy Sheer Top: Plus 12 Times The KarJenners Wowed In See-Through Looks

  • Gigi Hadid, Jennifer Lopez & More Best Dressed Celebrities Of The Week – Quarantine Edition

  • Share This Article
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Print
  • Talk
Next Up

Joe Jonas Taps Sophie Turner’s Backside In LA As She Covers Stomach With Sweatshirt — Pics

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Newsletters
  • Search Close

Trending

  • Bonnie Says
  • Celeb Babies
  • TV
  • Celeb Galleries
  • Podcast
Search

NewsExpand Menu

  • Celebrity News
  • World News
  • Exclusives
  • Politics
  • Celebrity Babies
  • Opinions
  • Rock The Vote

EntertainmentExpand Menu

  • Entertainment Features
  • TV
  • Award Shows
  • At The Movies
  • Music
  • Sports
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Podcast
  • At Home With...

BeautyExpand Menu

  • Fragrance
  • Hair Care
  • Health
  • Makeup
  • Nails
  • Skincare
  • Beauty Features
  • Diet & Fitness
  • Shopping

FashionExpand Menu

  • Red Carpet
  • Weddings
  • Fashion Features
  • Shopping

TrendingExpand Menu

  • Bonnie Says
  • TV
  • Celeb Galleries
  • PODCAST

About UsExpand Menu

  • About Us
  • Writer Bios
  • Scoops, Tips & Corrections
  • Subscribe To Newsletter
  • Contact Us

Celebrity ProfilesExpand Menu

  • Kim Kardashian
  • Kylie Jenner
  • Justin Bieber
  • Selena Gomez
  • Taylor Swift
  • Rihanna
  • Kendall Jenner
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Gigi Hadid
  • Jennifer Lopez
  • Angelina Jolie
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Newsletters
Alerts & Newsletters
  • Jobs
  • Scoops & Corrections
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • AdChoices
  • Data Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
© 2021 Penske Media Corporation
  • News
  • Celebrity News
  • Taylor Hicks
Interview
March 7, 2020 12:51AM EST

‘American Idol’s Taylor Hicks Says He ‘Held On For Dear Life’ During Deadly Tennessee Tornado

Shutterstock
AMERICAN IDOL - Music industry legends and all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, along with Emmy®-winning producer and host Ryan Seacrest, and multimedia personality and in-house mentor Bobby Bones, were on hand when ABC's "American Idol" kicked off auditions for the upcoming season in search for the next singing sensation in Savannah, Georgia, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. (ABC/Eliza Morse)
LIONEL RICHIE, RYAN SEACREST, KATY PERRY, BOBBY BONES, LUKE BRYAN
AMERICAN IDOL – "316 (On with the Show: Grand Finale)" - "American Idol" rounds out its all-new innovative and critically celebrated season on ABC, crowning its next singing sensation live during the epic grand finale event, SUNDAY, MAY 17 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT). (ABC)
JUST SAM
AMERICAN IDOL – ABC’s “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest with judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, and in-house mentor Bobby Bones. (ABC/Gavin Bond)
KATY PERRY
AMERICAN IDOL – ABC’s “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest with judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, and in-house mentor Bobby Bones. (ABC/Gavin Bond)
LIONEL RICHIE View Gallery View Gallery 19 Photos.
Jade Boren
Evening Writer
  • Share This Article
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Print
  • Talk

Taylor Hicks, the Season 5 winner of ‘American Idol,’ survived the blindsiding tornadoes that cost the lives of 25 people in Tennessee. He has now opened up about the ‘traumatic experience.’

“This tornado seemed like it came out of nowhere,” Taylor Hicks, 43, recalled after tornadoes devastated Middle Tennessee on March 3. American Idol‘s Season 5 winner was right there in Nashville when one of the tornadoes hit, and he retold his “life and death” experience three days later in an interview with PEOPLE. From the beginning, the singer knew that something ominous was happening on that Tuesday morning. “I remember looking outside my window and there was so much lightning, and then the power went off,” Taylor said, calling the power outage “eerie” since the lights didn’t flicker. “It went off immediately in a blink of an eye, [and] that’s when I knew I needed to get into a safe place.”

That safe space was Taylor’s garage, from which he saw “huge pieces of debris flying 100 feet in the air.” His survival instincts kicked in. “I could feel the whole house completely shake and I just had to get into the crawl space and I held on,” he explained. “I heard the debris. I heard the train sound. I held on for dear life.” Taylor even admitted that it felt like he “went through temporary insanity because it’s such a traumatic experience,” since he was left in the dark as to “where the storm is tracking.” Keep in mind that Taylor had to go through all of this without anyone by his side.

“You know what’s interesting — the spiritual aspect of going through it alone,” Taylor continued. “Everyone goes to heaven alone. You’re standing and waiting to get into the pearly gates but everyone stands alone when doing that. When you’re in a life and death experience it’s a very solace mindset. I think what my mind did during those nine seconds is check out. You would almost rather your mind be in a different place than what you’re going through.” Taylor even ventured to say that his experience with the tornado was “the closest anyone can get to death.”

Tennessee Tornadoes
Tornadoes ravaged central Tennessee’s community on March 3, 2020. (Shutterstock)

Even though Taylor survived the tragedy, he is still dealing with the tornado’s horrendous consequences. “There were trees snapped. My roof is damaged. My patio furniture was in a tree three blocks from me…Halfway down my alleyway buildings had collapsed and roofs were missing,” he revealed. There’s also the guilt Taylor is now battling with, since he wasn’t one of the deaths in the wake of the tragedy: 25 total, according to USA Today.

“You think about the people who were lost in this tornado too,” he told PEOPLE. “You stand there alive but then you immediately see within 100 yards there was death. That’s where you put things into perspective and you ask ‘What about those that were lost and why you — why did you survive?’”

In Nashville alone, 48 structures “collapsed” and throughout Middle Tennessee, “homes, businesses and schools” were destroyed, USA Today reported. Fifty-thousand customers lost power during the natural hazard, according to the outlet. Another fellow American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood, was also affected by the tornadoes. Although she was safe in New York City when they hit, she revealed on the TODAY show that her husband Miker Fisher and their two sons, Isaiah and Jacob, had to hide in a “safe room” in their Nashville family home, like Taylor. Thankfully, like Taylor as well, everyone is okay.

Click to Subscribe to Our HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get more celeb news.
  • Share This Article
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Print
  • Talk
taylor hicks

More 'American Idol' News:

  • 'American Idol' Season 18 -- Photos
  • Carrie Underwood Admits She Only Ate 800 Calories A Day After Being Called 'Fat' On 'American Idol'
  • 'American Idol' Recap: One Determined Singer Brings Ryan Seacrest & Katy Perry To Tears

Most Read

8 Pics Of Joseph Baena Recreating Dad Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Iconic Bodybuilder Poses

Jamie Lynn Spears Wears Extremely Short Shorts Like Sister Britney In Sexy New Selfies

Jamie Lynn Spears

Selena Gomez Sings About Being ‘Stronger Alone’ On ‘De Una Vez’ & Fans Are Convinced It’s About Justin Bieber

Selena Gomez

Kim Kardashian’s Kids Hilariously Fight Over Candy While She Tries To Promote New Perfume  

Kim Kardashian & her kids

Eminem’s Daughter Hailie Jade, 24, Stuns In Mom Jeans For New Mirror Selfie Video — Watch

eminem

Have news, pics or video on a breaking news story?

Send us your Tip

Have news, pics or video on a breaking news story?

Send us your Tip

More From Our Brands

  • Costco is Selling Valentine's Day Hot Cocoa Bombs & Be Still, My Heart
    SheKnows

    Costco is Selling Valentine's Day Hot Cocoa Bombs & Be Still, My Heart

  • Under-The-Radar Meal Delivery Programs to Elevate Your WFH Lunch Lineup
    StyleCaster

    Under-The-Radar Meal Delivery Programs to Elevate Your WFH Lunch Lineup

  • Justin Hartley to Star in Crime Thriller The Never Game From This Is Us EP
    TVLine

    Justin Hartley to Star in Crime Thriller The Never Game From This Is Us EP

  • Trump Calls in Pillow Salesman to Discuss Possibility of Instituting Martial Law
    Rolling Stone

    Trump Calls in Pillow Salesman to Discuss Possibility of Instituting Martial Law

  • 11 Men’s Work Boots for Safety & Style
    FootwearNews

    11 Men’s Work Boots for Safety & Style

    HollywoodLife

    • About Us
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Advertise With Us
    • Careers
    • Scoops & Corrections
    • Contact Us

    Legal

    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Rights
    • AdChoices
    • EU Privacy Preferences
    • Terms of Use
    • Data Policy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    News

    • Celebrity News
    • World News
    • Exclusives
    • Celebrity Babies

    Connect

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
SheKnows Media - Entertainment
© Copyright 2021 HollywoodLife, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC.
Powered by WordPress.com VIP
ad