Interviews &
Clips
News
Awards &
Nominations

Ruben Studdard

:

Overview

Avg.User Rating: 
47 Ratings
Rate this person:
Actor
Biography:Partway through the second American Idol in early 2003, guest judge Gladys Knight christened corpulent crooner Ruben Studdard a "velvet teddy bear," a nod to his smooth, Luther Vandross-styled voice and his Barry White-sized girth. It was a nickname that stuck, since it captured the persona of the 25-year-old Birmingham, AL, native who had unexpectedly become the front-runner in the national televised talent show. Surrounded by skinny kids emulating Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, the two singers who walked away with the debut American Idol in 2002, Studdard stood out with his massive frame, winning smile, easygoing style, mellow voice, and trademark jerseys bearing the number 205, the area code of his hometown. That hometown looms large in the background of Ruben. The son of two teachers, Studdard was born in Birmingham on July 14, 1978. As a child, he sang at his parents' Baptist church, but it... Full Biography
Photos
Clay Aiken congratulates winner Ruben Studdard during the "American Idol" Season 2 Final Show at the...
Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken rehearse for the 31st Annual American Music Awards at the Shrine...
"American Idol" Season 2 contestants Corey Clark, Rickey Smith, Vanessa Olivarez, Julia DeMato,...
Ruben Studdard, Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken perform during the "American Idol" Season 2 Final Show...
Ruben Studdard and Kelis
Ruben Studdard gets in the groove.
Ruben Studdard
advertisement