What is Ruben Studdard’s Net Worth?
Ruben Studdard, the winner of season two of “American Idol”, is an American singer who specializes in R&B, pop and gospel music. According to recent estimates, Studdard’s net worth is around $3 million dollars.
Although he gained fame through his win on “American Idol”, Studdard has established himself as a gospel singer, while also exploring other genres such as Pop and R&B.
Ruben Studdard’s Early Life
Ruben Studdard was born in Frankfurt, West Germany in 1978 to American parents. His father was in the Army and the family moved to Birmingham, Alabama when he was a child. Ruben sang in church from a young age and was inspired by his mother’s Donny Hathaway albums. He played football in high school and received a scholarship to Alabama A&M University, where he studied voice and sang with a local jazz and R&B group.
While at university, a back-up singer from his band asked him to accompany her to an audition for the second season of “American Idol” in 2003. This opportunity would change the course of Studdard’s life and lead to his successful music career.
Ruben Studdard Wins American Idol Season 2
Ruben Studdard auditioned for American Idol with Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon in the Sky” and made it to the local finals. He impressed viewers with his performances of “Superstar” and “A Whole New World” on the show and earned the nickname “Velvet Teddy Bear.” Music legends like Luther Vandross, Gladys Knight, and Lionel Richie praised his talent. In the May 2003 finale, Studdard beat out Clay Aiken by 134,000 votes and became the second American Idol winner and the first male winner. Alabama Governor Bob Riley even declared March 11, 2003, as Ruben Studdard Day.
Ruben Studdard’s Music Career
Ruben Studdard’s first single “Flying Without Wings” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut album “Soulful” topped the 1 million mark in advance orders and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. He was nominated for a Grammy in 2003 for “Best Male R&B Vocal Performance”.
Studdard’s gospel album “I Need an Angel” sold over 95,000 copies its first week and topped the gospel charts at No. 1. His album “The Return” was released in 2006, and he appeared on the finale of American Idol’s sixth season. He was dropped from his record company, J Records, due to poor sales of the album in 2007.
His next album “Love Is” was released in 2009 and received positive reviews. In 2011, Studdard signed with Shanachie Entertainment and released his fifth studio album “Letters from Birmingham”. His sixth studio album “Unconditional Love” was released in 2015 and received some of his best reviews.
In 2018, Studdard released a tribute album to Luther Vandross titled “Ruben Sings Luther” on the SEG Music label. He continues to appear regularly on American Idol as a mentor and performer with contestants.
Ruben Studdard’s Career Beyond Music
Ruben Studdard has appeared on various television shows such as “Simple Rules”, “Life on a Stick”, “All of Us,” and “Eve.” He also had a cameo in the film “Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. He has toured with Robin Givens in the comedy-drama Heaven I Need a Hug, as well as he accepted the role of Fats Waller in a national tour of “Ain’t Misbehavin” in 2008.
Studdard made his Broadway debut in December 2018 when he reunited with Clay Aiken in “Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show (aka Ruben & Clay’s Christmas Show).”
In 2013, he participated in the fifteenth season of the competitive weight loss show “The Biggest Loser.” The first ever celebrity contestant, at 6’3 and 462 pounds, Studdard had the highest starting weight and BMI of the entire cast. At the show’s finale, it was revealed he had lost 119 pounds ending in a weight of 343 pounds.
Honorary Degree and Personal Life
Ruben Studdard was awarded an honorary Masters of Arts degree from Alabama A&M University during the December 2015 commencement ceremony. He is also a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia singing fraternity.
In October 2006, Studdard met Surata Zuri McCants at a CD signing event in Atlanta. The couple got married in June 2008 but separated in 2011, and their divorce was finalized in April 2012.
