Winning American Idol does a lot for someone's musical career. Many past winners are pretty rich and while they're not all household names, many of them are recognized as having a ton of talent.
Fans of the reality competition series enjoy watching Katy Perry and the judges, and it's also really exciting to see who is competing on each season and who is going to go far. Sure, some of the winners aren't quite as famous as others, but many of them are still household names.
Ruben Studdard was the winner of the show's second season, and he has been doing really well ever since. Let's take a look at what happened to him after he took home that big prize in 2003.
An "Amazing" Experience
Kelly Clarkson has done a lot since her win, and it's safe to say that she's the most famous and successful person to have won the show.
Ruben Studdard has done well for himself and back in 2014, he told Rachel Martin at NPR that Idol was an "amazing" experience. He said that many hopefuls who show up on audition day have done a lot of other things in an attempt to become singers. Studdard talked about how long and hard he worked. He said, "You know, that was my story. You know, I started doing everything I could since I was 12 years old to be, you know, to get discovered or, you know, go to XYZ audition, send in demo tapes."
Studdard continued that when he was able to audition for Idol, it was the right time. He said, "And the blessing is that I was prepared for the opportunity when it presented itself. My mother used to always tell me that preparation determines your destination. And I prepared myself to be ready when that door opened for me."
Making Music
Ruben Studdard has been continually making music since he won American Idol.
In the 2014 interview with NPR, he talked about touring with Lalah Hathaway, who is the daughter of Donny Hathaway, who he really looks up to.
Studdard also has released many albums. In 2003, he released Soulful, which was his first album. In November 2004, he came out with I Need An Angel, and then The Return in 2006. In 2009, his next album Love Is was released, and then album number five, Letters from Birmingham, came out in 2012. Album number six is called Unconditional Love and was released in 2014.
Studdard has even appeared on Broadway with Clay Aiken, which is a big dream for many singers. According to Playbill.com, they performed together in a production called Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show in December 2018. Studdard and Aiken got to know each other as they were together being interviewed by the media after American Idol since Aiken was the runner-up.
In 2019, Studdard went on a tour called Ruben Singers Luther: An Evening Of Luther Vandross starring Ruben Studdard as a way to honor the singer that he loved and respected so much. He also came out with an album that was a tribute to Vandross. He told Vaildaily.com, “I really appreciate the opportunity to go around the country performing his songs and sharing these nostalgic moments with people that remember his music. People are receiving it really well. People just love Luther. It’s like going out and doing a tribute to The Beatles."
Time On 'The Biggest Loser'
Years after winning the second season of American Idol, Ruben Studdard became a contestant on season 15 of The Biggest Loser in 2013 and 2014. According to Today.com, he lost 119 pounds, and he was told that he had type 2 diabetes. He started exercising, and he talked about what a good experience he was.
The singer said, “I (did) this for me; this was for my life. I’m so excited I got to take the time and do this. It was something I could do for me, and nobody else. This show has given me a second chance to live the best life I can live. I am going to be the healthiest Ruben Studdard I can be.”
Getting Divorced
Ruben Studdard also got divorced. TMZ.com reported that he filed for divorce from Surata Zuri McCants in 2012. Because of the prenup, things proceeded pretty easily, and the publication says that he was able to stay in their house.
The couple got married in 2008, according to People.com, and they broke up due to "irreconcilable differences."
Ruben Studdard has done a lot since winning the second season of American Idol back in 2003. He has released several albums, gotten married and then divorced, and competed on The Biggest Loser and found a healthy lifestyle. Most importantly of all, he's living the dream of making music.
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