Soulful Idol

Background:

“I got over stage fright early in life so I never got nervous doing the show, week after week. Having a career in music is what I've always wanted to do so this is the fulfillment of my dreams!” Ruben Studdard

Fox's talent search contest “American Idol” second season winner Ruben Studdard, who received the nicknames "The Round Mound of Sound" and "Velvet Teddy Bear" during the televised competition, has released three albums: “Soulful” (2003), “I Need an Angel” (2004), and “The Return” (2006).

His hit singles include "Flying Without Wings" (2003), "Superstar" (2003), "Sorry 2004" (2004), "I Need an Angel" (2004), "Change Me" (2006) and "Make Ya Feel Beautiful" (2007). He recently recorded a cover of Bob James and Kenny Loggins' song "Celebrate Me Home," which was used as "American Idol’s” seventh season top 12 exit song and is currently a song played for eliminated teams in the 2008 NBA Playoffs.

Studdard has also worked as an actor and played minor roles in an episode of the television series “8 Simple Rules,” “Life on a Stick,” “All of Us” and “Eve.” He also had a cameo appearance in the film “Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed” (2004) and appeared in a television commercial for a Birmingham-area Kia dealer.

The super-sized pop/R&B/gospel singer, who runs three times a week on a treadmill to build endurance, married Surata Zuri McCants in June 2008.

"I don't have any concerns about my weight. I've always been healthy. I eat right. I'm just a big dude. I've always been happy with the person I am. So that will never change." Ruben Studdard

The Velvet Teddy Bear

Childhood and Family:

Born in Frankfurt, Germany, on September 12, 1978, while his father was stationed there with the U.S. Army, Christopher Ruben Studdard, nicknamed Ruu, The Velvet Teddy Bear, or Chris, grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. The youngest son of two teachers, Studdard attended Huffman High School where he played football and received a scholarship to Alabama A&M University. He later switched his major and study voice at the school, graduating with a degree in 2000. He is a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the largest music fraternity in the United States.

On June 28, 2008, Studdard married Surata Zuri McCants in a short, private ceremony outside of Birmingham, Alabama.

Flying Without Wings

Career:

"A lot of people don't realize how hard I was trying to get into the business before 'American Idol.' I was making demos and just working so hard." Ruben Studdard

Ruben Studdard began singing at age three at his parents' Baptist church. At a teen, he abandoned a promising career in football and became serious about music while in college. Ruben began his professional career as a singer with a popular Birmingham-based jazz and soul band called “Just a Few Cats,” which was founded by members of Ray Reach's UAB Jazz Ensemble.

In 2002, alongside a back-up singer from "Just a Few Cats,” Studdard auditioned for the 2003 season of "American Idol.” He subsequently won a slot on the national television program where he impressed audiences and judges alike with his large voice and easy confidence. He also received praise from music legends such as Lionel Richie, Neil Sedaka, Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, Luther Vandross, and Gladys Knight.

Studdard, who gained the nickname "Velvet Teddy Bear,” won the competition after beating fellow finalist Clay Aiken.

A month later, in June 2003, Studdard released his first single, a cover of Westlife's "Flying Without Wings," which he sang on the show's finale. Produced by the Underdogs and Face, the single debuted at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, #13 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and #27 on the Adult Contemporary Chart.

Studdard subsequently released his debut album, "Soulful," on December 9, 2003, through J Records. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 U.S. album chart, sold over 400,000 copies in its first week, and has since been certified platinum. Besides "Flying Without Wings," the album also spawned the singles "Superstar" and "Sorry 2004," the latter of which received substantial airplay, rising to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Billboard R&B singles chart.

Meanwhile, Studdard also received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Superstar" in December 2003 and won the NAACP Outstanding New Artist award in March 2004.

"I want to be around for a long time. I don't want to be a one-hit wonder. I want to make sure I continue to make good music that my mom and everybody around me can be proud of." Ruben Studdard

"I Need an Angel," Studdard's sophomore effort, hit the music stores on November 23, 2004. An album of gospel music, "I Need an Angel" climbed to #20 on the Billboard 200 U.S. album chart, and has since been certified gold. It also topped the Billboard Gospel Albums and Year-End Gospel Albums charts.

After being awarded $500,000 for personal losses and another $1.5 million for punitive damages against his godfather and business advisor Ronald Edwards and losing over 70 pounds on a vegetarian diet, Studdard released his third album, "The Return," on October 17, 2006. The album that was preceded by the single "Change Me" (released on July 31, 2006) debuted and peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200, but only sold 237,000 copies in the U.S., which led to Studdard being dropped from J Records in December 2007.

Studdard recently recorded a cover of Bob James and Kenny Loggins' song "Celebrate Me Home," which was used as "American Idol’s” seventh season top 12 exit song and is currently played for eliminated teams in the 2008 NBA Playoffs. The recording was made available for iTunes download on March 12, 2008.

Besides singing, Studdard has also worked as an actor and played minor roles in an episode of the television series “8 Simple Rules,” “Life on a Stick,” “All of Us,” and “Eve.” Studdard, who was considered for the role of "Fat Albert" (2004) in the film of the same name, also had a cameo appearance in the film “Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed” (2004). Additionally, he appeared on a television commercial for a Birmingham-area Kia dealer.

"The only thing about my life that's really changed is the fact that a lot of people know me now. I'm still the same person." Ruben Studdard

Awards:

• Image: Outstanding New Artist, "Soulful," 2004

• Teen Choice: Choice TV Reality/Variety Star - Male, "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar," 2003