Irresistible Ruben Studdard proved he’s got what it takes to win the hearts of millions when the then-25-year-old Birmingham, Alabama, native edged out Clay Aiken on the second season of American Idol’s finale. As a result, Studdard became a singing sensation, taken under the wing of music industry legend Clive Davis. Within a month of the show’s completion, Ruben’s first single, “Flying Without Wings,” was released. Ruben worked frenetically – recording his debut, touring and filming a cameo for Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. Soulful, was finally released on December 9, 2003. Sporting two Top Ten hits, the album quickly went platinum. The gospel album, I Need an Angel, followed one year later. Studdard returned to his urban roots in 2006 with an aptly named third album, The Return. Lead-off single “Change Me” topped the urban contemporary charts that same year. In 2008, Ruben took a well-received foray into theater by portraying Fats Waller in a revival tour of Ain’t Misbehavin’. Following the show’s completion in May 2009, he returned to his studio career with another album, Love Is. In 2012, Studdard released Letters from Birmingham. He followed with Unconditional Love in 2014. Ruben Studdard continues to perform all over the world.
