Taylor Hicks, the Season 5 winner of "American Idol," has revealed that navigating fame after the competition was significantly more challenging than many viewers might have imagined.

Nearly two decades after his victory, Hicks reflected on the period following the show's finale, identifying the biggest misconception about achieving stardom through the popular singing competition. "It is a lot tougher than it seems," Hicks told Fox News Digital.

While "American Idol" provided significant opportunities, Hicks noted that the realities of the entertainment industry presented steep learning curves. "If I could look back and somebody would tell me some advice, I would probably say, ‘Be patient and trust in God,’" he said.

Hicks credited his upbringing in Alabama for helping him maintain a grounded perspective amidst the fluctuations of his career. "One trait that my parents taught me and my values is to stay grounded and make sure that you are nice to others," he stated. "Karma’s a real thing, so be nice, be sweet and be happy."

The singer suggested that contemporary aspiring reality TV stars face a more competitive landscape than he did. "Luckily for me, ‘American Idol’ was the only game in town," Hicks previously said. "I think the last talent show that was on television was ‘Star Search.’ And once ‘Idol’ became so successful, I think ‘America’s Got Talent,’ ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’ There’s all these entities that kind of popped up that you really have to compete for now. So I think it is tougher for contestants on shows like that, because they’re kind of spreading the love."

Despite these difficulties, Hicks expressed gratitude for the opportunities his "American Idol" win afforded him. Reflecting on his life-changing victory, he would advise his past self to "enjoy the wave as much as you can because in this business, sooner or later, it’s going to crash, and you’ve got to catch another one."

Hicks has also been involved in events commemorating America's 250th anniversary. He recently performed "Nineteen," a tribute to young Americans who served after the September 11 terrorist attacks. "Well, I think we’ve come a long way as a country. From where we started, from our Founding Fathers to this point, this is an amazing time in history for our country and we all should be proud that we’ve made it to 250, and here’s to 250 more," Hicks commented.

Currently, Hicks is active on the performance circuit, with scheduled appearances at the Flora-Bama Lounge on July 11 and as host for the Connecticut Country Music Festival on August 1.