NEW YORK (AP) – Two weeks after Taylor Hicks discussed his first crush as a young boy, the woman from his past has contacted People magazine.

The “American Idol” winner told People in a recent interview that he never forgot his first crush: “I was in the second grade; she was in the sixth.” He added that ever since, he’s always liked older women.

After reading the article, the woman, Christy Lee Worsham, called People. She’s now married, and was surprised she had made such an impact on Hicks.

“He was such a fun kid,” Worsham, 32, said. “I’m married. But I’d like to reconnect. He was like a brother to me.”

Hicks, 29, was ranked as the “hottest bachelor” by People earlier this month. He then said he was on the lookout for another love interest: a mystery blond woman he briefly exchanged glances with on an airline flight.

A spokeswoman for People, which set up an e-mail and mailing address to help track her down, said Thursday there had been no luck yet.

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On the Net:

http://www.people.com

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – A Jordanian salesman who tried to use an identity card with Brad Pitt’s photo was on trial in the Emirates, a newspaper has reported.

The 29-year-old salesman allegedly forged the card with the Hollywood actor’s picture and an Arabic name in an attempt to steal more than $22,000 left unclaimed at an exchange house where his brother worked as a teller, according to a report Thursday in the daily Gulf News.

The man, who told police he did not know who Brad Pitt was, said in court Wednesday that he downloaded the photo from the Internet, the newspaper reported. Police were reportedly alerted by an informant.

Dubai’s public prosecutors charged the man with forgery and embezzlement. A spokesman for the prosecutor’s office was not immediately able to comment on the trial.

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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) – Kiss, the rock group known for putting their brand on everything from action figures and bobble heads to lunchboxes, now is marketing French Kiss Vanilla, Demon Dark Roast and Rockuccino at the first Kiss Coffeehouse.

Bandmates Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, sans the trademark makeup, greeted a crowd of hundreds Tuesday to mark the opening of their coffeehouse in this beach town.

“You can live to rock, but you have to eat to live,” Stanley told the crowd.

Some fans drove from as far away as Colorado and Oregon. One came from Poland.

“I can’t believe I just met them,” said Adrian Czarnbey, who introduced the band at a news conference. “It’s just like seeing Jesus for me.”

Fans were in line as early as 8:30 a.m. for the grand-opening party nearly 12 hours later. The coffeehouse poured its first cup of Rockuccino on Saturday.

Stanley, 54, said Myrtle Beach was the best place to launch the enterprise.

“We’re bringing coffee to a whole “nother generation,” he said.

The two band members drove up in a stretch limousine, then shook hands with fans as they made their way to a news conference and receiving line.

Simmons, known for sticking out his tongue while performing, declined to do so on Tuesday. “I would,” the 56-year-old rocker said, “but I noticed the floor’s kinda dirty.”

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On the Net:

http://www.kissonline.com/