Taylor Hicks: I Won't Change

Says Winning 'American Idol' Won't Mean He'll Stray From Who He Is

(CBS)  "I'm not going to change for anything," he insisted, whether it's his musical style or his salt and pepper hair. "I'm just who I am. I'm the same guy that I am now as when I started the competition."

And when he started, Cowell, the notoriously critical judge, was very critical of Hicks, saying he sounded like a karaoke singer, and putting down his dance moves.

"He said I'd never make it," Hick recalled. "But, thanks to (viewers and fans), I'm here. I'm the 'American Idol.' "

Hicks admits it was gratifying to prove Cowell wrong, but added: "I got to shake hands with Simon. … He was a nice guy, and very cordial. And you know, it was an interesting season, you know, him and I going back and forth. And you know, I'm just very — it's an American TV show, you know, so I'm very grateful for the opportunity."

Storm wondered what it was like during those moments leading up the naming of the winner.

"I was just telling myself not to fall over, you know, and not for my knees to buckle," Hicks said. "You know, here I am. And I'm just very grateful that I'm living this dream."

Hicks says he began to think it was possible that he'd win during the last couple of weeks, which he said "were very comfortable for me, for some reason. You know, I was just very comfortable with the music I was singing."