American musician Ruben Studdard was born on September 12, 1978. He became well-known after winning the second season of American Idol, and his rendition of “Superstar” was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 2003. Studdard has recorded seven studio albums since his Idol days. His first, Soulful, went platinum, and his gospel follow-up, I Need an Angel, was a huge commercial success.
Ruben Studdard Net Worth
Ruben Studdard is an American R&B, pop and gospel singer who has a net worth of $3 million dollars. He is best known as the winner of the second season of “American Idol”. Studdard is best known for his work in gospel, although he also excels in the genres of pop and R&B.
Ruben Studdard Earlier Years
Christopher Theodore Ruben Studdard was born to American parents on September 12, 1978, in Frankfurt, West Germany. After his father finished his military service in Germany, the family relocated to Birmingham, Alabama, where both of his parents found teaching jobs. Ruben sung for the first time at age three at the Rising Star Baptist Church in Birmingham.
Even though his mother was a member of the church choir, he never stopped singing gospel at church or giving solo performances. He found motivation in his mother’s collection of Donny Hathaway records. Studdard earned a scholarship to Alabama A&M University thanks to his football skills while at Huffman High School.
While attending the university Studdard joined the Omicron Delta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a men’s music fraternity. He studied voice in college and is a member of a well-known R&B/jazz band in town called Just a Few Cats. While working on these demos, a band member requested Ruben to come to Nashville with her to try out for the second season of “American Idol” in 2003.
Ruben Studdard American Idol
Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon in the Sky” was Studdard’s audition song. Because of this, he ended up as a top contender in his hometown. He became a fan favorite on “American Idol” after his renditions of “Superstar” and “A Whole New World” impressed audiences, earning him the moniker “Velvet Teddy Bear.”
Music icons like Luther Vandross, Gladys Knight, and Lionel Richie all praised Studdard while he was on the show. Studdard won the second “American Idol” champion and the first male champion when he defeated Clay Aiken in the May 2003 finale by a margin of 134,000 votes (out of 24,000,000 total votes cast). Ruben Studdard Day was proclaimed by Governor Bob Riley of Alabama on March 11, 2003.
Ruben Studdard Other Ventures
After establishing himself as a respected musician, Ruben Studdard has made guest appearances on shows like “Simple Rules,” “Life on a Stick,” “All of Us,” and “Eve.”
In addition, he had a brief appearance as himself in Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. Before taking on the role of Fats Waller in a national tour of “Ain’t Misbehavin'” in 2008, he traveled with Robin Givens in the comedy-drama Heaven I Need a Hug.
In December 2018, Studdard made his Broadway debut in “Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show (aka Ruben & Clay’s Christmas Show).” He co-starred with Clay Aiken.
He joined the cast of “The Biggest Loser” for its sixteenth season in 2013. Studdard, the first celebrity contender, weighed in at 462 pounds and stood at a height of 6 feet, 3 inches. In the series conclusion, it was reported that he had dropped from 343 to 343 pounds, a loss of 119 pounds.
Ruben Studdard Private Matters
In December 2015, Studdard attended the graduation ceremony of his alma mater, Alabama A&M University, where he was awarded an honorary Master of Arts degree. He is still active in the singing fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
At a CD signing session in an Atlanta Wal-Mart in October 2006, he was introduced to Surata Zuri McCants. They tied the knot in June of 2008, only to divorce two years later. In April of 2012, they formalized their divorce.
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