In last night's final "American Idol" showdown between soul singer Taylor Hicks and sexy Katharine McPhee, the "American Idol" winner was clear to one person: Simon Cowell.

"Assuming that I was right — the show was tied — then you have just won American Idol," Simon Cowell told Hicks following his last performance, according to Associated Press.

Taylor Hicks wore a purple velvet jacket — "arguably the worst jacket I've ever seen in my life," Simon Cowell sniped.

Taylor Hicks told The Associated Press in response to Simon Cowell's comment: "I just hope that people don't get complacent."

McPhee and Hicks each performed three songs in Tuesday's "American Idol" sing-off, staged in front of more than 3,000 fans at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

"American Idol" winner will be crowned today.

 

"American Idol" has since been renewed for five more years, meaning it is expected to air until at least 2011, running for a total of at least 10 seasons.

The auditions for "American Idol" Season 6 are likely to be held between July and October 2006, with the show expected to begin airing in January 2007.

The audition cities have not been announced; they will likely be announced around or just after "American Idol" Season 5 finale.

Auditioning contestants will have to be between ages 16 and 28, likely born between August 1977 to August 1990. 

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