American Idol (season 5) American Idol (season 5) The fifth season of reality television singing competition "American Idol" began on January 17, 2006, and concluded on May 24, 2006. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell returned to judge, and Ryan Seacrest returned to host. It is the most successful season to date ratings-wise, and resulted in 18 contestants (including all of the top 10 and a few semifinalists) getting record deals – nine of them with major labels. It was the first season with a male winner (Taylor Hicks) and a female runner-up (Katharine McPhee). It was also the first season of the
The American Idol Experience Ryan Seacrest, judge Paula Abdul and "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller. "The American Idol Experience" has been promoted by winners of the "American Idol" from Season seven onwards by appearing in commercials and announcing "I'm going to Disney World!". In June 2014, Disney announced that the show would close in January 2015, then two months later they moved up the closure date to the end of August 2014. The show's final performances were on August 30, 2014. Park guests age 14 and older auditioned before a Disney "casting director" who judged singers based on their ability to sing and perform