FIRST, “American Idol 2” winner Ruben Studdard lost his record deal – and now “Idol 5” guy Taylor Hicks has reportedly split with J Records.

Hicks sold 650,000 copies of his debut album last year – awfully good for a first-timer, but not up to the expectations of an “Idol” winner.

Now comes word that J Records – the label owned by RCA and run by music mogul Clive Davis – has quietly released Hicks from his deal.

Hicks had only about seven months between winning the TV talent show and his first album release.

Studdard was dropped by J Records last month after three CDs.