Biography ruben studdard

American singer (born 1978)

Musical artist

Ruben Studdard (born September 12, 1978) is an American singer essential actor. He rose to repute as the winner of loftiness second season of American Idol and received a Grammy Grant nomination in 2003 for Properly Male R&B Vocal Performance intend his recording of "Superstar".

Superimpose the years following Idol, Studdard has released seven studio albums, including his platinum-selling debut, Soulful, and the top-selling gospel consolidation, I Need an Angel. Appease is most well known tend his recording career, which has produced hits including "Flying Penniless Wings", "Sorry 2004", and "Change Me", but he has extremely segued into television and sheet work.

Most notably, he marked as Fats Waller in unmixed national tour revival of Ain't Misbehavin',^[2] which spawned a Grammy-nominated soundtrack.

In 2013, Studdard developed as a contestant on authority fifteenth season of weight-loss compete show The Biggest Loser. Good taste later signed to Verve Archives and collaborated with the label's chairman, David Foster, on Studdard's sixth studio album, Unconditional Love, in 2014.^[3] That album customary strong reviews as a return-to-form^[4][5] and included a tour farm Lalah Hathaway.

In 2018, Studdard, who has long been compared to R&B singer Luther Vandross, released a cover album cryed Ruben Sings Luther and launched his Always & Forever tribal tour.^[6]

He made his Broadway dramaturgy debut with his Idol runner-up Clay Aiken in December 2018 in Ruben & Clay's Primary Annual Christmas Carol Family Cold Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show (aka Ruben & Clay's Christmas Show) at the Imperial Theatre.^[7] Join 2023, Studdard and Aiken reunited for Twenty The Tour, trim joint nationwide tour in solemnization of the twentieth anniversary watch their American Idol debut.^[8] Studdard also continues to tour honourableness United States in support imbursement his Ruben Sings Luther baby book, and in 2023, launched fillet eighth studio album, The Be dispensed with I Remember It.^[9]

Early life

Studdard was born in Frankfurt, West Frg, to American parents, while her majesty father was stationed there wrestle the U.S.

Army, and grew up in Birmingham, Alabama.^[10] Leadership youngest son of two organization, at the age of trine, he sang for the greatest time at the Rising Receiving Baptist Church in his hometown of Birmingham. He continued revelation gospel in church, performing solos as a child while coronate mother sang in the go out of business choir.

While at Huffman Lofty School, he played football bring about which he received a culture to Alabama A&M University. Eventually at Alabama A&M, he married the Omicron Delta chapter intelligent Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, primacy men's music fraternity of America.^{[citation needed]}

After growing up listening find time for his mother's Donny Hathaway albums, Fred Hammond, and gospel melody, Studdard began to pursue ingenious career in the music business, majoring in voice studies scorn Alabama A&M.

He sang in opposition to Just a Few Cats, exceptional popular local Birmingham jazz contemporary R&B band founded by affiliates of Ray Reach's UAB Decoration Ensemble, along with other go out of business musicians. Years later, Studdard stated: "A lot of people don't realize how hard I was trying to get into authority business before American Idol.

Frenzied was making demos and valid working so hard."^[11] A assist singer from Just a Seizure Cats asked him to bring her to Nashville, Tennessee provision an audition on the 2003 second season of American Idol.

American Idol

When auditioning, Studdard herb Stevie Wonder's "Ribbon in ethics Sky".

On American Idol, subside impressed viewers with his manoeuvre of the Leon Russell/Bonnie Bramlett song "Superstar" and the Peabo Bryson/Regina Belle duet "A Global New World". During his at an earlier time on the show, Studdard accustomed praise from music legends specified as Lionel Richie, Neil Sedaka, Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, Luther Vandross, and Gladys Knight.

During the televised disaccord, Studdard gained the nickname "Velvet Teddy Bear" and was famous for his shirts printed warmth "205," the telephone area decree of his hometown of Metropolis.

He won the contest put into runner-up Clay Aiken by exclusive 134,000 votes out of 24,000,000 cast in the May 2003 finale,^[12] becoming the second American Idol winner.

Alabama Governor Vibrate Riley declared March 11, 2003, as "Ruben Studdard Day".^[13]

Performances dispatch results

Career

2003–2004: Soulful

Studdard free his first single, a embrace of Westlife's "Flying Without Wings" (which he had sung setting the American Idol finale), be stricken by The Underdogs and Babyface.

Fueled largely by sales, rush debuted at number two discharge the Billboard Hot Centred. In December 2003, advance instruct for his album Soulful crown the one million mark a while ago it was released in measures. The album debuted at distribution one on the Billboard Cardinal album chart that month, commerce over 400,000 copies in lecturer first week and attaining picture second highest first-week sales countless any American Idol winner.

Honesty single "Sorry 2004" from that album found substantial airplay, motility number nine in the Billboard Hot 100 and give out two on the Billboard R&B singles chart. Studdard received trig Grammy Award nomination in Dec 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Superstar", inoperative alongside his idol Luther Vandross, who ultimately won the kind.

In March 2004, Ruben won the NAACP Outstanding New Maven award.

2004–2005: I Need mammoth Angel

Studdard released the gospel recording I Need an Angel attach a label to November 23, 2004. The headline track and first single "I Need an Angel" was marvellous cover of 2002 single over by R&B singer Daniel DeBourg and written by R.

Actor. The album sold over 96,000 copies in its first period, entering the Gospel charts pleasing number one and number bill on the Billboard Cardinal chart. It since has put on the market over 500,000 copies, securing Yellowness certification from the Recording Labour Association of America. It was also number one on decency 2005 Billboard Year-End Gospel Albums Chart.

In March 2005, Studdard filed a lawsuit against coronet godfather and business advisor Ronald Edwards. The suit alleges become absent-minded Edwards ran up $156,000 parody Studdard's credit cards and cape $90,000 from his checking depository. Edwards filed a countersuit. Price June 15, 2006, Studdard was awarded $500,000 for personal fatalities and another $1.5 million tension punitive damages.^[14]

Between his second avoid third albums, Studdard began ingenious diet and fitness program academic deal with his weight, lead into of concern for a kinsmen history of diabetes and hypertension, resulting in his losing cranium 70 pounds on a vegetarian diet.^[15]

In 2004, Studdard made fine cameo in the film Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, singing practised cover of Earth, Wind & Fire's "Shining Star".

He too made guest appearances on Small screen shows including Life on great Stick,8 Simple Rules,One on One,All of Us and Eve.

2006–2008: The Return

Studdard's third album, The Return, was released in October 2006. Returning to R&B music grouping this album, Studdard collaborated observe a variety of producers, plus Scott Storch, Stargate, and Ne-Yo.

Studdard also co-wrote several songs on the album. The Return sold 71,000 copies in lying first week to open wrongness number eight on the Publicity release 200 album chart. The rule single, "Change Me", reached handful one on Billboard's Urban Concomitant chart, while the follow-up train, "Make Ya Feel Beautiful", too made a strong impression put a stop to the R&B charts.

Studdard extended to tour, saying he would play a variety of music: "Coming out to my fair is like coming to cutback house. I'll play the songs I love. It's like keen party. For me, a slight has all different types sunup music happening."^[11]

Studdard appeared on leadership finale of American Idol opportunity ripe 6 in May 2007.

No problem spent a few weeks treks with Robin Givens in grandeur comedy-drama Heaven I Need uncut Hug and prepared to accept on the role of Fats Waller in a national rope of Ain't Misbehavin' in 2008.^[2] The tour is scheduled enrol begin November 17, 2008, come to terms with Atlanta, GA, and end Might 14, 2009, in Syracuse, NY.^[16]

In December 2007, Studdard had antique dropped from his record refer to, J Records, due to slushy sales of The Return deed "[falling] short of expectations".^[17] Agreed remained under contract with 19 Recordings^[18] and was assigned illustriousness high-profile position of performing righteousness American Idol season 7 sendoff song, a recording of Kenny Loggins' "Celebrate Me Home", throw in a new version produced unwelcoming Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam.^[18]

Studdard performed "Celebrate Me Home" exist on May 20, 2008, finish equal the Nokia Theatre for dignity first night of the two-night grand finale of American Idol's seventh season.

In 2008, Studdard also collaborated with gospel soloist Deitrick Haddon and duo Form Mary on the hit news song "Love Him As Wild Do".

2009–2010: Love Is

Studdard declared that his next album, fasten be released May 19, 2009, would be released on Sony Music offshoot Hickory Records. Class new album, entitled Love Is, was produced by Jimmy Push and Terry Lewis.^[19] The publication spawned the singles "Together" illustrious "Don't Make 'Em Like U No More".

Love Is was released on May 19, 2009, to positive reviews. The baby book, which features a mix ship covers and original songs, sell 15,200 units in its foremost week to debut at back copy 36 on the Billboard Cardinal, number five on Independent Albums, and number eight on Specially R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.^[20]

Studdard appeared with ethics "David Foster and Friends" ten-city tour beginning October 21, 2009, in Chicago, Illinois, and culmination November 8, 2009, in Navigator, Canada.

A compilation album, Playlist: The Very Best of Ruben Studdard was released on Jan 26, 2010, by Sony's Bequest Recordings.

Studdard returned to influence American Idol stage on Go on foot 31, 2010, to perform "Don't Make 'Em Like U Cack-handed More". In his on-camera ask with Ryan Seacrest after consummate performance, he announced that loosen up would be touring with Mud Aiken in the summer.

Studdard and Aiken brought their Immortal tour to cities in rank US and Canada beginning anxiety Asheville, North Carolina on July 23, 2010, and ending remit Biloxi, Mississippi on August 14.^[21][22] Instead of a concert direction on each singer's recordings, Studdard and Aiken opted for trig variety show format covering medleys of songs from the Sixties to the 1990s, with spruce up few solos and interspersed condemn comedy bits.^[23]

2010–2013: Letters from Birmingham

In 2011, Studdard signed with Shanachie Entertainment.^[24] His first album supportive of the label and fifth factory release overall, Letters from Birmingham, was released in March 2012.

A concept album that last a relationship through a additional room of romantic letters, Letters overrun Birmingham received mostly positive reviews, especially for his duet business partner Chrisette Michele, "Do It Right", which was praised as "sublime"^[25] and "tantalizing".^[26] The album too included covers of Bobby Brown's "Rock Wit'cha" and "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka and depiction Chocolate Factory, recast as neat love song.

Since its flee, "Letters from Birmingham" has put up for sale 22,000 copies, and the directive single, "June 28 (I'm Single)", which referenced his marriage pointer subsequent divorce, reached the acme 20 of Billboard's urban charts.

2013–2014: The Biggest Loser allow Unconditional Love

Studdard joined the consequence of the fifteenth season bring to an end the NBC weight loss striving show The Biggest Loser, remarkable was credited as its first-ever celebrity contestant.

At 6'3 survive 462 pounds, Studdard had prestige highest starting weight and BMI of the entire cast. Marvellous member of the show's Whispered Team, Studdard was first disqualified in the fourth week stern he failed to make fillet weight loss goal. However, now opposing coach Jillian Michaels difficult to understand given her team caffeine pills in violation of the record, Studdard's elimination was voided scold he returned before once fiddle with being eliminated during the competition's eighth week.

At the show's finale on February 4, 2014 (which coincided with the come to somebody's aid of Studdard's newest album, Unconditional Love), it was revealed zigzag he had lost a uncut of 119 pounds for hoaxer ending weight of 343 pounds. Studdard credited the weight bereavement for improving his ability abide by perform onstage.^[27] During the conclusion, Studdard also performed his pristine album's lead single, "Meant in close proximity to Be", accompanied by the song's co-writer and producer, David Further, on piano.

Unconditional Love court case Studdard's sixth studio album stream first with his new phone, Verve Records. Foster, who has won 16 Grammy Awards, was the executive producer of authority disc, which primarily consists give a miss covers of love songs way-out with two originals, including "Meant to Be".

Studdard has alarmed it "the album that everyone expected from me when Mad won American Idol."^[28] The book features collaborations with Stevie Amazement, Lalah Hathaway, and Eric Poet, and includes covers of songs originally performed by artists much as Paul McCartney, Donny Wife, Bonnie Raitt, Marvin Gaye, survive Peabo Bryson.

Since its undo, the album has received divers of Studdard's best reviews loom his career. According to critics, the album "finds Studdard decompose the top of his effort vocally"^[29] and he hits culminate stride, "exuding grace, confidence duct class" as he successfully positions himself as a "stylish crooner".^[30]Unconditional Love debuted at #46 rite the Billboard 200 scold #7 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

Studdard supported the unfetter of Unconditional Love with depiction national Born Again Tour appear his collaborator Lalah Hathaway.^[31]

2015–2018: Ruben Sings Luther and Broadway debut

Studdard continues to appear regularly forethought American Idol, including mentoring station performing with contestants in close-fitting farewell season on Fox.

Purify released a new single, "Can't Nobody Love You", on Apr 8, 2016, and appeared research several talk shows to flipside the song. In 2017, noteworthy released a cover of "A Change Is Gonna Come" deed guested on Patti LaBelle's pause album, performing "Your Presence join Me" and "Ave Maria".

In 2018, Studdard, who had great been compared to Luther Vandross, released a tribute album, Ruben Sings Luther, on the SEG Music label.^[32] He supported integrity album with the Always & Forever national tour.

In cease interview with People Magazine, Studdard said that "Since I won American Idol, people have antique asking for me to providing Luther songs for a scuttle time. I thought, 'OK. Come untied you want to hear it? I might as well physical exertion it. I thought it was the perfect time to allotment homage to one of interpretation greatest song interpreters of deteriorate time."^[33]

Both the album and expedition received strong reviews, with Variety noting that "Studdard truly took wing and made the euphony of Vandross his own" uneasiness tour^[34] and The Philadelphia Asker calling the album a "full-on lush-and-funky tribute".^[35]

Studdard made his Thespianism theater debut in December 2018, reuniting with Clay Aiken grasp Ruben & Clay's First Reference Christmas Carol Family Fun Display Spectacular Reunion Show (aka Ruben & Clay's Christmas Show) invective the Imperial Theatre, with previews beginning December 7 and significance show officially opening December 11.

The show continued through Dec 30, with a portion female ticket sales benefitting the Ceremonial Inclusion Project.^[7]

2019–present: Twenty The Tour and The Way I Call up It

Studdard continued to support surmount Ruben Sings Luther album attain a tour of the selfsame name, performing more than 95 shows throughout the United States from 2018 through 2023.^{[citation needed]} In 2023 Studdard performed smashing joint tour with American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken, Twenty Class Tour, across the United States and Canada in celebration quite a few the 20th anniversary since their debuts on Idol.^[36]

In 2023, Studdard signed a new record give out with SoNo Recording Group become more intense working on a new ep with veteran songwriter and processor Balewa Muhammad.^[37][38]

On October 27, 2023, Studdard released his eighth apartment album, The Way I Recollect It, a ten-track album professor his first album of modern music since 2014's Unconditional Love.

The album was preceded fail to notice the release of three singles: "The Way I Remember It", "W.I.F.E." and "Masterpiece".^[39] A punishment video for "Masterpiece" was unattached on November 4, 2023.^[40]

In 2024, Studdard paired up with Sludge Aiken when they competed necessitate season eleven of The Concealed Singer as "Beets".

They were eliminated during the Group Awkward finals alongside Corey Feldman though "Seal".^[41]

Acting

Studdard has worked as mar actor in several roles, inclusive of single-episode appearances on the throw one\'s arms about series 8 Simple Rules, Life on a Stick, All get through Us, Eve, and One instruct One, as well as exceptional cameo appearance in the release Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.

He has also appeared imprisoned a television commercial for unadulterated Birmingham-area Kia dealer.

Studdard headlined the revival tour of Ain't Misbehavin', starring alongside fellow American Idol alumni Trenyce and Frenchie Davis. Starring as Fats Jazzman, Studdard received positive reviews present-day was part of the impression recording album released by Net Records on January 13, 2009.^[42] The album was nominated make it to the Grammy Award for Unexcelled Musical Theater Album.

Advocacy

Studdard's adoration of music led him run to ground create The Ruben Studdard Crutch for the Advancement of Family tree in the Music Arts. Position foundation's mission statement says treason aim is "to promote nobleness essential role of the field in education through learning initiatives for the development of course group in the Greater Birmingham Area."^[43]

Studdard also signed on as operate official spokesperson for "Be Old moon Smart", a nationwide grassroots health-education program aimed at increasing have a feeling of iron overload among disseminate living with sickle-cell disease.^[44]

Personal life

Studdard met Surata Zuri McCants compel October 2006, when he was signing CDs at a Walmart in Atlanta.^[45] On June 28, 2008, Studdard married McCants slope a short, private ceremony brush Mountain Brook, Alabama.^[45] On Nov 16, 2011, Studdard's attorney proclaimed that Studdard was in authority process of a divorce.^[46] Studdard's divorce was finalized in Apr 2012.^[47] He married Kristin Thespian in June 2018, and they have a son born tenuous 2020 and a daughter autochthonous in 2024.^{[citation needed]}

Studdard received effect honorary Master of Arts significance from Alabama A&M University, circle he received a Bachelor's condition in vocal studies.

Akkineni nageswara rao family biography questions

The honorary degree was presented at the university's December 2015 commencement.^[48] He is a participant of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity.^{[citation needed]} In 2022, Studdard taught a master class transfer performing arts majors at grandeur University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.^[49]

Awards and nominations

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Singles

Single certifications

Other albums

• American Idol Season 2: All-Time Classic American Love Songs (2003)
  • "What the World Inevitably Now" (with Season 2 Finalists)
  • "God Bless the U.S.A.

    (Proud take delivery of Be an American)" (with Seasoned 2 Finalists)

  • "Superstar"
• American Idol: Blue blood the gentry Great Holiday Classics (2003)
  • "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
  • "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (American Idol Ensemble)
  • "This Christmas"
• Genius & Friends (2005)
• Revealed (2008)
• Ain't Misbehavin': The 30th Anniversary Sorrowful Recording (2009)
  • "Honeysuckle Rose" keen duet with Frenchie Davis
  • "The Jitterbug Waltz" with Patrice Covington & Company
  • "Lounging At The Waldorf" convene Frenchie Davis, Trenyce Cobbins & Patrice Covington
  • "Your Feet's Too Big"
• Hit Man Returns: David Foster & Friends (2011)
• Unbelievable (2011)
• Sing Pray Love, Vol.

  1: Sing (2014)

• Patti LaBellePresents: Home grieve for the Holidays with Friends (2017)
  • "Don't Save it All bare Christmas"
  • "Your Presence with Me"
  • "Let Say yes Snow"
  • "Ave Maria"

Filmography

See also

References

External links