who won american idol when chris daughtry was on

Taylor Hicks won American Idol Season 5, the season Chris Daughtry competed in back in 2006.

Season Recap

Chris Daughtry was a standout rocker who made it to fourth place , blowing fans away with gritty performances like "Renegade" and "I Dare You." He got eliminated in a shocking Top 4 moment that host Ryan Seacrest teased mercilessly, leaving everyone stunned—many still call it one of Idol's biggest upsets. That paved the way for Taylor Hicks to edge out runner-up Katharine McPhee in the finale, beating expectations in a field packed with stars like Kellie Pickler and Elliott Yamin.

Why Fans Raged

• Daughtry's raw energy and rock edge made him the predicted champ; polls had him leading until that brutal elimination night on May 10, 2006.

• Even celebs like Lisa Marie Presley f-bombed in fury, calling it rigged—though it turned into a win for Chris, launching his band Daughtry to platinum success.

• Hicks' soulful, bluesy vibe won over voters, but forums buzzed for years: "Daughtry robbed us!" Katharine was solid, yet Taylor's quirky charm sealed it.

Trending 20 Years Later

Even in 2026, Season 5 tops "best ever" lists for its talent depth—no weak links, just heartbreak and breakthroughs. Fans on social media relive Daughtry's exit like a fresh wound, with posts asking, "Did Idol make its biggest mistake?" Hicks proved winners can thrive too, dropping albums and touring, but Chris's post-Idol rocket ride (Grammy nods, #1 hits) feels like sweet revenge.

TL;DR: Taylor Hicks took the crown when Daughtry's Season 5 run ended early— a twist that fueled endless debate but supercharged both careers.

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