Ruben Studdard

Vital Statistics:

Ruben is 24 years old and is from Birmingham, AL. He is the winner of American Idol 2!

His American Idol performances were:

• Superstar
• Baby I Need Your Lovin
• A Whole New World
• Sweet Home Alabama
• Can’t Get Enough of Your Love
• Kiss and Say Goodbye
• Just the Way You Are
• Music Of My Heart
• Aint Too Proud To Beg
• Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
• Nights On Broadway
• How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
• If Ever You're In My Arms Again
• Smile
• Signed, Sealed, Delivered
• A House Is Not A Home
• Imagine
• Flying Without Wings

Why Ruben, Not Clay?, by Sting7: Ruben is the American Idol and at least half of America is glad he is. But, why Ruben and not Clay? What makes Ruben so special? We take a look at the Ruben phenomena for answers.

A Two-Hour Debacle, by Donna Reynolds: Donna is less than thrilled with the outcome of last night’s show. Actually, it’s not just the results, but the way the entire show was put together. Watch out, she’s on a roll!

Clay and Ruben: Does It Matter Who Won?, by David Bloomberg: By now we all know the results, and many feelings have already been aired on the message boards. But if we look at the big picture, does it really matter who won? The answer to that question remains up in the air.

Was Clay Robbed?, by David Bloomberg: Clay fans are up in arms - "Clay was robbed!" Certainly there were problems with the vote, some of which we've discussed already. But then Ryan couldn't even get the numbers right! So is it a conspiracy? Was Clay robbed? Can we even know the answer?

American Idol 2, May 21: This Is It!, by Sting7: Last night, Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard (right) made their final pitch to be the American Idol. Both performed spectacular numbers that promised to decrease the already narrow gap between them. America has voted and now, the results. It was really close! Who is the American Idol?

American Idol’s Final Voting Process: Fair or Flawed?, by David Bloomberg: The phone lines for both Ruben and Clay were jammed for the full three hours. What does this mean for the vote totals? Will there even be a real difference? Could Fox have done anything to fix the problem? What will the results tell us?

Mike’s Idol Thoughts, May 20: Disappointment, by Mike DeGeorge: Mike was really looking forward to the head-to-head battle, but came away from it a bit disappointed. Find out why, who he favors overall, and who he thinks will end up with the title of The American Idol.

Thoughts on Contestants and Judges, May 20: Can’t We Just Call It a Tie?, by David Bloomberg: With three performances each, Clay and Ruben had the chance to swing those final votes over to their side. A couple of the performances blew the roof off the place, but others showed that perhaps they've been working too hard. It's the final performance show, and David shares his thoughts.

American Idol 2, May 20: Decide, by Sting7: Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this. Ruben and Clay can't believe it's happening to them. I can't believe what a dazzling night it was! Neither can Paul Anka! Read on!

The Odds on Ruben, Clay, and the Guy Suing to Stop the Show, by David Bloomberg: Fans are debating who will win – Clay or Ruben. They aren’t the only ones. Bookies are wondering as well. And then there’s the guy suing the show to get it stopped altogether. What do you suppose his odds are?

American Idol 2, May 19’s Final Two Show: Gonzo and the Turkey Sandwich, by Sting7: A special look at the remaining two contestants on American Idol, Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard. Plus, Vanessa's back! Josh is not! Who the heck is Gonzo, and why did someone get knocked out over a turkey sandwich?

Triumph of the South on American Idol 2, by James Shepherd: We started American Idol 2 with a fairly good mix of contestants from various areas. But the final three are all from the South. Is this a bit odd or is there possibly a good reason?

Vocal Masterclass 401 for ‘American Idol’ Contestants: The Triumverate, by Rosanne Simunovic: Rosanne is back with another look at how the finalists have been singing. Last week’s final three performances showed some of the best singing yet, but there are still a few problems to work out.

The Top 20 Greatest American Idol Performances Ever, by Sting7 & Mike DeGeorge: Season Two of American Idol is almost in the books. Now is a great time to look back and rank the Top 20 Greatest American Idol Performances Ever. There's no way Nikki McKibbin could make this list, could she?

Clay and Ruben: A Success Story, by Sting7: Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard are in the pressure cooker and the temperature has never been higher. While some call them the odd couple, there are remarkable similarities between them. One more chapter to write for them on American Idol. Are they really happy with either result?

Ruben or Clay? Clay or Ruben?, by Donna Reynolds: For somebody who has not been a show-long devoted fan of either Ruben or Clay, this week's decision will be especially difficult. Both of them have their positives, and it is quite a chore to make a choice between them.

You Say Tomayto, I Say Tomahto: The Clay Conspiracy, by Andrea Shuman: A number of Clay fans think that he is getting the shaft. Early on, producers decided that Ruben would win, and now they’re making sure that happens. Read on to find out what the complaints are and whether it’s a conspiracy or… something else.

Voter Fraud, Part 2: The Pendulum Swings Back, by Gil Sery: When Gil wrote about the way "The Josh Campaign" was, well, campaigning for votes from people who didn't even watch the show, he got e-mail about some of the other contestants as well. Did any of them pan out? Is there other vote fraud going on?

Oprah Takes Us Behind the Scenes at ‘American Idol’, by David Bloomberg: Earlier this week, Oprah Winfrey dedicated her entire show to American Idol, including a behind-the-scenes look, interviews with the judges and contestants, and Kelly Clarkson singing her newest single!

American Idol 2, May 14: One for the Money, Two for the Show, by Sting7: Poor Simon. Such a talented trio to judge. He looks simply bored. No Nikkis to annihilate this year! In better news, a truly deserving two will face off to be the American Idol in just six days. Clay? Kimberley? Ruben? The answer is here!

American Idol 2, May 13: Sing a Song of Three Picks, by Sting7: For once, the three most deserving contestants remain on American Idol. If there is a darkhorse in this talented trio, it would have to be Kimberley Locke, battling extraordinarily popular opponents with very strong camps. Can she deliver the performances she's capable of to pull off a mild upset?

Thoughts on Contestants & Judges, May 14: Down to Two, by David Bloomberg: With a full hour-long results show featuring Justin Guarini and Tamyra Gray, there is plenty to provide comments on! What about Tamyra’s song choice? And who was better, Justin or Clay?

Thoughts on Contestants & Judges, May 13: Picking from the Best, by David Bloomberg: It’s the second-to-last performance and each of the final three sing three songs. All three of them deserve to be there, but what happened to Ryan? And does Randy know what “random” means? Let’s find out.

Mike’s Idol Thoughts, May 13: An Impossible Choice, by Mike DeGeorge: Picking the “worst” of the top three is like… well, you’ll have to read on to find out what Mike thinks it’s like. Once again, he brings you his thoughts on the American Idol performances!

The American Idol Experience, by Donna Reynolds: Why has American Idol pulled in so many viewers and, more importantly, fans? Donna takes a look at how the show has progressed and drawn us all in.

Can Ruben Really Be the American Idol? Part II, by Melissa McEwan: Melissa's earlier article wondering if Ruben can really be the American Idol brought about a great many responses. Here she considers and responds to these, further discussing the matter at hand: Can Ruben do it?

The American (Idol) Revolution: Gracin the Stage, by Bruce Barker: Bruce thinks that Joshua still has a career ahead of him, and he explains why. But beyond that, who will be the next American Idol? And how should that person be managed and produced? Bruce, of course, has answers.

Vocal Masterclass 301 for ‘American Idol’ Contestants: The Final Four, by Rosanne Simunovic: After the final four performances of this week, it’s time for another class in vocals and performance from our resident voice instructor. Who improved? Who didn’t? And how can they all get better?

Whose Song Is It You Want to Hear?, by L. Dougherty: As we approach the end of American Idol, voters need to ask themselves whose songs they want to hear again and again. After all, this is a talent contest and the winner gets an album contract. So who has the ability to do the most with such an opportunity?

Can Ruben Really Be the American Idol?, by Melissa McEwan: Ruben has a great deal of talent, but does that mean he can be the American Idol? Or are there other factors that hold him back?

American Idol 2, May 7: Stayin’ Alive?, by David Bloomberg: Last season at this time, we had The Big Shocker of Nikki beating Tamyra. This week, will Josh once again pull through? Or is it finally his time to say goodbye?

Attack of the Killer Males, by Gil Sery: In their final four performance, Gil thinks the men all stepped it up. Will Kimberley make it another week?

Mike’s Idol Thoughts, May 6: Ruben Scores with BeeGees Hits, by Mike DeGeorge: Mike takes a look at the final four performances, answers some questions, and hopes the local Fox affiliate doesn't interrupt the show for weather bulletins! Let's follow along with his thoughts.

American Idol 2, May 6: Pulling Out All the Stops!, by David Bloomberg: The final four know they need to bring it tonight or they may not have another chance. Clay has some fun with one song while Josh countrifies a couple of BeeGee hits. Who will stay and who will go?

Vocal Masterclass 201 for ‘American Idol’ Contestants, by Rosanne Simunovic: Rosanne, a voice instructor, is back again to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of our final five last week. Some have improved greatly, some seriously need a voice coach if they are to overcome their problems.

What Went Wrong and How We Can Prevent It, by Gil Sery: The biggest shock of this week on American Idol might not have been Trenyce leaving and Josh staying, but Ruben being in the bottom two! What went wrong and how can viewers make sure it doesn’t happen again?

American Idol 2, April 30: Love Won’t Keep Us Together, by David Bloomberg: It's the biggest American Idol shocker since Nikki beat out Tamyra. In fact, we even visit some with Tamyra before the results. And Justin Guarini. And Burt Bacharach. And… phew! Eventually we get to those shocking results, though. Not only will you be unable to believe who stays, but you won't believe who is in the bottom two either!

Mike’s Idol Thoughts, April 29: Some Move Up, Others Go Down, by Mike DeGeorge: Clay’s fans may be a bit overzealous, but Clay himself came out and kicked serious butt. Mike provides his thoughts on the performances of the final five. Some have been crowing about Trenyce – what does Mike have to say?

American Idol 2, April 29: Two-for-Tuesday with Neil Sedaka, by David Bloomberg: We're down to the final five and that means time for two performances by each contestant. And one of them is by guest judge Neil Sedaka! One slip-up can knock the performers out of the game. Can Joshua Gracin pull himself up to the level of the other singers, or are we going to tell him goodbye?

First Impressions of the AI2 Love Songs CD, by David Bloomberg: The American Idol Season 2 All-Time Classic American Love Songs CD came out today, so it’s time for a first impressions review. Do Ruben, Clay, and Kimberley live up to their hype? Do the others rise to the challenge? Let’s find out.

The Voters Get It Right – Finally, by Donna Reynolds: Finally, the voters got rid of the person who least deserved to be on American Idol. There are still two more before we get to Donna's dream team, so we'll see if voters continue to go according to talent. How can each of that dream team polish themselves and best prepare to be the American Idol?

Vocal Masterclass 101 for ‘American Idol’ Contestants, by Rosanne Simunovic: Rosanne is a voice teacher who has been watching the contestants American Idol 2. Here we have her Master Class in voice and state technique that looks at the strengths and weaknesses of each of the remaining five plus the two most recently voted off.

The American (Idol) Revolution: Uncomfortably Numb, by Bruce Barker: Bruce thought the war was won, but then a new battle emerged when the Unholy One paid a visit to American Idol. Who lost their fights and who came out not only unscathed, but perhaps even better than before?

Simon Says… I’ve Got to Market One of These Singers, by L. Dougherty: Did you notice how Simon has changed his comments lately, especially with this week’s performances? Have we perhaps gotten to the point where Simon is realizing that he has to market at least one of these singers and so it’s time to start molding them?

American Idol 2, April 23: Love Didn’t Lead Them Back, by David Bloomberg: It's time for the results! David was absolutely certain that Trenyce would be heading home. The judges are certain that Carmen should be the one to go. So who is right? There is a new record number of votes and even a brand new Diane Warren song written just for the contestants. All in all, a lot of TV fit into a single half-hour show.

Mike’s Idol Thoughts, April 22: Top 3/Bottom 3, by Mike DeGeorge: After watching this week's performances, it's easy for Mike to pick a top three for the night and a bottom three. Within that top group, though, it's not so easy to place 'em. Who does Mike think did well and who will be going home? Let's take a look.

American Idol: The Mind of the Voter, by David Bloomberg: While those of us who write about American Idol have a very good idea of how we think people should vote, they often surprise us. Other viewers have their own ideas about how they should make up their minds. Some make sense, others not so much, but in the end will it come down to a rightful winner?

American Idol 2, April 22: Big Hits and Bigger Misses, by David Bloomberg: Diane Warren has written some huge hits. But sometimes when you swing for the fence, you end up striking out instead. Which was the case for Josh Gracin? He changed style again, but is that a good thing or a bad thing?

American Idol 2, April 21: The ‘Halfway Home’ Special, by David Bloomberg: Sometimes, two nights a week of American Idol just isn't enough - at least as far as Fox is concerned. So we get a full hour special on Monday night to look at the six remaining finalists and hear them each perform a song of their choosing. No judges, no results, just chatting with Ryan and singing.

An American Idol Passover, by Andrea Shuman: When Andrea’s Passover seder turned into an opportunity to watch the American Idol results show with younger family members, she got some insight into the viewing – and voting – habits of the younger crowd.

American Idol 2, April 16: Wake Up, Virginia…, by Sting7: Despite the protestations of his fans, Clay Aiken has slid to number two in this race. Last night, Clay showed he's savvy enough to make fun of his own ballad-rich reputation, and talented enough to pull off an up-tempo number. Or did he? Can America embrace this new incarnation of Clay?

Thoughts on Contestants & Judges, April 15: Sing Us a Song…, by David Bloomberg: It was time for the contestants to tackle the Piano Man himself, Billy Joel. Some did a great job with the material while others just didn’t seem to know what to do with it at all. Which category was Carmen in? Read on for David’s thoughts – and you can also play along in a hidden song game.

Mike’s Idol Thoughts, April 15: Streetlife Serenaders, by Mike DeGeorge: Mike's a big Billy Joel fan, but did the contestants live up to his expectations? Did Ruben continue to impress him? Did Clay's attempt to break out of his mold make him want to tell you about it?

American Idol 2, April 15: You Have to Be a Big Shot, Don’t You?, by Sting7: Meet Ruben Studdard, by all accounts the heir-apparent to the American Idol crown. But, the race is not over; in fact, the game has definitely changed! Tonight marked the occasion of his first negative critique, and another contestant has made their presence known! Is Ruben in jeopardy?

American Idol 2: Mid-Season Report Card, by Sting7: When you are Number One, there's nowhere else to go. No problems to solve. It ain't broke; don't fix it. Right? Not so fast. Time for midterms for everyone involved in American Idol, in front of and behind the cameras. An exhaustive look at where they are, and what may be in store for them.

American Idol 2, April 9 – Corey Clark: The Aftermath, by Sting7: What has Kimberley Locke ever done to you? She's nailed her performances for the last three weeks. She hasn't broken any laws. Yet she was in the bottom three on last week's results show. It counts this week too! Randy Jackson cried foul, but does America say her "heart will go on"?

Thoughts on Contestants & Judges, April 8: They Can’t All Be #1, by David Bloomberg: All of the songs performed this week may have been #1 on the charts, but most of the singers definitely did not perform up to #1 standards. A few had to have the performances of their lives… and didn't. Those who were almost certainly safe were the ones who just added another new layer. Can Carmen make it through this week?

Mike’s Idol Thoughts, April 8: Too Much Celine, But…, by Mike DeGeorge: Out of all the #1 singles released, the eight finalists had to choose two Celine Dion songs? But still, one of the singers made it sound good to Mike. Was it Kimberley Locke or Trenyce? You'll just have to read on to find out.

American Idol 2, April 8: No, Really, What Did You Think?, by Sting7: Poor Trenyce. This beautiful and gifted entertainer has found herself in the wake of Corey Clark's spiral! She was actually in the bottom two of last week's results show, though few think she deserved to be there. Now, she has a chance to get out of the basement. Will 'the power of love' move her up?

The American (Idol) Revolution: The Torture Chamber, by Bruce Barker: After being tortured for an hour by disco music, at least we could look forward to the Results Show, right? Well, no, not really. Bruce is one unhappy camper after that waste of time – and here is why.

American Idol 2, April 2: Too Much Time on My Hands, by Sting7: Disco Week left Simon eager for the last dance, and willing to give a scathing critique to can't-go-wrong Clay Aiken, and a good review to his own Wildcard pick Carmen Rasmusen. Hmmm. Does America also think she is "the most commercial?" Prepare to be shocked!

Thoughts on Contestants & Judges, April 1: Let Disco Die, by David Bloomberg: It’s back to the days of Disco – why can’t we just let them die away?! Anyway, we have a lousy explanation from Fox on Corey’s expulsion, a lousy explanation from Corey on what happened, and a really lousy job of singing by one of the contestants. Nobody was as good as usual, which is another reason to let Disco die. But let’s see what the contestants and judges did and said.

Mike’s Idol Thoughts, April 1: Get Up and Dance, by Mike DeGeorge: Mike substituted in an American Idol column last week, but now it’s time for more. Follow Mike as he presents his thoughts as the action is happening on the screen. It’s like you’re in his living room with him!

American Idol 2, April 1: Fool Me Once…, by Sting7: This time, American Idol couldn't brush the expulsion under the rug. Corey Clark speaks in his own defense. It's also Disco Week: Simon warned Joshua Gracin that this could be trouble for him if he intends to stay country. Is it "taps" for the popular Marine?

The American (Idol) Revolution: Death Before Disco, by Bruce Barker: It's another missive from the ultra-secret revolutionary headquarters. We've managed to sneak some more rock into American Idol, but more importantly we have potential idols who go completely against the grain. Let's take a look at how everybody did.

Thoughts and Impressions on ‘American Idol’: March 25, by Mike DeGeorge: How did the top 10 perform in the genre of country-rock (or at least songs that at one time were recorded as country)? What singled out a great performance from a bad one when both were singing songs Mike doesn’t like? And how did “country” contestants Joshua and Carmen do?

American Idol 2, March 26: Third Time’s the Charm, by David Bloomberg: Tuesday night gave us an interesting mix, which made it difficult to predict just who would end up leaving. I had predicted Julia, Corey, and Trenyce. Was I even close? And what did the judges think of the three America picked?

American Idol 2, March 25: Country? Rock? Or Just More Ballads?, by David Bloomberg: The theme for this week is supposed to be "country-rock." But you wouldn't know it from listening to a number of the contestants, who just took the opportunity to bring us more ballads. Did Ruben fall into this trap or did he jump into the new genre?

Versatility Will Narrow the Field, by Carl Esperance: As we move through the weeks of American Idol, the singers are being asked to perform for different genres. What will this mean for somebody like Joshua, who is now saying he’s sticking to country, as opposed to Clay, who has tackled a variety of different types of songs? Who can we expect to face the challenge and succeed?

Most Contestants Raising Their Game, by L. Dougherty: Whether it was the presence of Gladys Knight or last year’s winner Kelly Clarkson, something raised the game of a number of our contestants. Unfortunately, not everybody was included in that group. Charles wasn’t one of them, but did he deserve to go or should it have been somebody else?

American Idol 2, March 19: You Can’t Win, by David Bloomberg: American Idol had a full hour to fill with its results show. Two group songs showed off the vocal talents of our performers, but it wasn't until near the end that we found out our bottom three. Could Julia survive another week?

Thoughts and Impressions on ‘American Idol’: March 18, by Sting7: Kimberley seeks redemption, Josh seeks a genre, Julia seeks to endear herself to America again, Clay seeks to show his range (there's more?), Kimberly Caldwell seeks her big, convincing performance, and Charles seeks to survive another week. My thoughts on a very satisfying week of performances.

From the Studio to the Live Stage: How to Get Out of the Shadows of Ruben and Clay, by Carl Esperance: The winner of the second American Idol will not come merely from having the best vocal ability, but also from being able to interact well with the audience and the viewers at home. Ruben and Clay have a head start because they definitely have the voices. Here is some advice for the others.

American Idol 2, March 18: Grooving to the Movies, by David Bloomberg: It's time for movie songs as Gladys Knight joins the judges and Kelly Clarkson sings a song from her own upcoming film. But what about the contestants? There are a few snags and a few greats. Where does Joshua Gracin fit in with his country version of an Aerosmith tune?

The American (Idol) Revolution: The X Factor, by Bruce Barker: Even though Vanessa has been executed, the revolution continues – and Simon can’t stop it now. There are so many contestants left who don’t fit neatly into some pop category that we are taking back our freedom of music. See what Bruce has to say about the remaining 11 and how they stack up – and why does he say that Joshua Gracin is this year’s Tamyra?

Is It Better to Be Bad than Mediocre?, by Brent Wolgamott: We’ve seen a number of theories about why Vanessa lost, but Brent thinks he’s hit on the main one: She wasn’t bad, but she wasn’t great. Read on for his explanation and his predictions of how others, including Carmen and Charles will do.

American Idol 2, March 12: Blame the Producers, by Sting7: The first to go has been decided. In the early stages of the competition like this, anything can happen, and the most innocent things can be devastating. Charles Grigsby (right), we learned, sings as he stocks shelves at his local grocery store. Will America send him back to that store and the real world?

Thoughts on Contestants & Judges – The Top 12 Show Why They’re There, by David Bloomberg: If the talent shown Tuesday night is any indication, we are in for a great ride this season. Nobody blew it big-time, at least in the singing. And several really showed their stuff. But will backlash against Carmen or the egotistical display of Julia cost them this week?

American Idol 2, March 11: Make Me Motown, by Sting7: The first night in front of a live audience, the first theme is Motown. The first time we see some separate from the pack, others start to show cracks, and one individual should have their bags packed. Is America preparing to dismiss its favorite Marine, Joshua Gracin?

The Changing Look of the American Idol, by Sharon Rose: Last year every American Idol contestant was pretty much thin and trim. This year, however, we have a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

American Idol Fashion – What Worked and What Didn’t in Group 2?, by Andrea Shuman: Andrea didn’t set out to become the Foxes On Idol fashion commentator, but it appears she’s got the job for now. Who in this second group needed a friend to tell them that they needed to change clothes before hitting the stage?

American Idol 2, February 12: This Year’s Model, by Sting7: Two more seats will be filled in the Top Ten this week. We already know that you just never know how America will vote! It appears that Ruben Studdard is the unanimous choice of the judges, while Rebecca Bond was "all wrong." What will America say?

Thoughts on Contestants & Judges – The Second Group: Singers & Fighters, by David Bloomberg: At first, it looked like another night of some good singers but nothing great. Then came Ruben and Kimberley. But how will all the fighting with Simon affect the outcome for everybody? Let's take a look at some thoughts and impressions about the contestants and judges.

American Idol 2, February 11: Jive Talkin’, by Sting7: The second group of eight did a lot of back-talking, but some of them did their talking with their performances! Kimberley Locke earned Simon's respect with spunk, but what about her performance?

American Idol 2, January 29: Four Days to 32, by Sting7: How do you narrow 234 to 32? Four days of intense auditioning. There was good performances, bad decisions, dog bonding, cat fighting, crying Paula, furious Simon, all leading to the top 32. I pegged Kimberly Caldwell as an early favorite. Will she make it?

American Idol 2, January 28: The Good, the Bad, and the WORST, by Sting7: Two cities to go! Atlanta and Nashville get their turn at producing the next American Idol. However, one particular contestant was anointed with a title all their own: The Worst Singer In the World!

You can find reviews and thoughts about all of Ruben’s performances – along with the other contestants and judges – at The RealityNewsOnline American Idol 2 Page:
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To see articles about the other American Idol contestants or the judges, click on one of the following links:
The Girls | The Guys | The Judges

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