Ruben Studdard
News (Page 3)

The new issue of Entertainment Weekly features brief rundowns of the seven Idol-affiliated album releases this fall (not counting Mario Vazquez, the Idol dropout)! The column takes its best guesses at the albums' prospects. Here's the essence of what they said about each:

Clay Aiken: "It appears those Claymates follow their leader no matter where his hair takes them."

[Translation: It's going to me a smash!]

Ruben Studdard: "The disc is still pretty standard R&B ... we're not counting out Celebrity Fit Club just yet."

[Translation: Not so sure about its potential success.]

Kellie Pickler: "Simple but sweet."

[Translation: They haven't heard any of it yet, are somewhat skeptical of Kellie's talent, but find her charming, and have no real idea how it will play in the country market.]

Fantasia Barrino: "Sounds promising, but plese, no more Lifetime flicks."

[Translation rendered unnecessary.]

Taylor Hicks: "'There's gonna be horns. I like to say brass with ass,'" Hicks is quoted as saying.

[Translation: Since it hasn't been recorded yet, they're a bit concerned, but who's really going to count out the Soul Patrol?]

Katharine McPhee: Quoting KIIS-FM/Los Angeles program director John Ivey: "'Katharine is a complete wild card.'"

[Translation: Diana DeGarmo redux? Let's hope not!]

Chris Daughtry: Quoting Ivey again: "'You can't come of American Idol and be this rock God.'"

[Translation: Chris may have a tough time getting airplay from credibility-obsessed rock radio stations that think anyone associated with Idol is a gimmick.]

Today is a big day for the Season Two duo which first captivated audiences back in 2003. Clay Aiken has officially announced that his third album, A Thousand Different Ways, is due out September 19. Now, the man who bested him on American Idol, Ruben Studdard, says he will make his return to R&B with his third album, set for release September 26.

The album’s title, fittingly, is The Return. Its first single, "Change Me" hit radio stations July 31 and is already getting plenty of air time.

Studdard's third CD signifies his mainstream after recording the successful gospel album, I Need an Angel, in 2004, MSNBC reports.

"I’ve had people ask me where I’ve been in the past few years so I thought calling it The Return made sense,” said Studdard.

The first track, which refers to the nickname Ruben affectionately earned on Idol, also served as inspiration for the album title.

"The first track on the new record is 'The Return of the Velvet Teddy Bear,' so I just shortened it and made it the title of my CD," Studdard said. "With The Return, I’m letting all the people who’ve followed me from American Idol until now know that basically I’m back."

The 27-year-old Alabama native's debut album, Soulful, was released in 2003.

Studdard, who has been in his home state working with his foundation and music camp this summer, will be performing with some fellow Alabamans -- the R&B/Soul quartet Just A Few Cats -- on August 10 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

American Idol Season Two winner Ruben Studdard made an appearance at the Dothan, Ala., City Commission meeting Tuesday, where officials handed him a key to the city and proclaiming the day "Ruben Studdard Day." The lovable star, who hails from Birmingham, Ala., is now an honorary citizen of Dothan as well.

Studdard hosted a concert Tuesday night at the Dothan Civic Center, joined by the kids in his music camp, which gives area youths a chance to sing and play instruments in an effort to support the arts.

As Ruben performed the free concert, which was open to the public, his happy campers provided the instrumentals and backing vocals.

Dothan mayor Pat Thomas said he was exceptionally proud of the work Ruben has done with the city during the past week.

While the concert was free, the singer's non-profit organization, the Ruben Studdard Foundation, is accepting donations that will go toward scholarships. The scholarships will be given to Alabama students who are interested in studying music.

The man Ruben edged out to become the second American Idol, Clay Aiken, is heavily invested in a plethora of charitable organizations, both his own and in conjunction with others. It's good to see Ruben following a similar path with his own foundation!

American Idol winner Ruben Studdard was awarded $2 million in his lawsuit against his ex-manager for misappropriating the singer's money and credit cards, USA Today reports.

Studdard, 26, of Birmingham, Ala., edged out runner-up Clay Aiken to win the second season of the hit FOX series in 2003. He filed suit against ex-manager Ronald W. Edwards and Edwards' promotions company, Sez Inc., last year.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Scott Vowell awarded Studdard $500,000 for actual losses and $1.5 million in punitive damages, The Birmingham News reported on its website.

Vowell dismissed Edwards' promotions company from the suit because it was bankrupt and had no assets. Edwards filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on June 17, 2005.

The suit claimed that the manager misused more than $246,000 of the singer's money, improperly borrowing against credit cards and even using Studdard's money to repay a $10,000 loan to a Tuscaloosa, Ala., bank.

Studdard has made upwards of $2.2 million from album sales, but the damage his manager caused his credit has made it hard for him to obtain financing to purchase a home, the judge's order said.

Neither party commented on whether the singer had frequented payday loan stores in the past due to his credit problems. They give you cash with no credit check or faxing!