ldyjocelyn Posted January 2 Report Share Posted January 2 jamestownsun.com Once 'American Idol' rivals, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken to share Fargo Theatre stage Quote Once 'American Idol' rivals, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken to share Fargo Theatre stage 20 years after their historic finale, the singers will pair up for an 'Idol' encore in Fargo on Thursday, Jan. 4 Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken perform at the Fargo Theatre on Thursday. Contributed By John Lamb Today at 7:20 AM FARGO — In its 21 seasons, “American Idol” has lived up to its name, producing stars like Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry, Fantasia Barrino and more. Still, no year could match the down-to-the-wire competition of the second season in 2003, which saw Ruben Studdard squeak out a victory over Clay Aiken. That finale episode is still the single most-watched in the show’s history, attracting 38.1 million viewers, the biggest audiences for a regularly scheduled, live, non-sporting event in the 21st Century. The singers hit the road last year celebrating the 20th anniversary of the show that made them household names. They’ll bring the tour to the Fargo Theatre on Thursday night, Jan. 4. The concert includes songs the singers performed on “American Idol,” like “Superstar,” “Open Arms” and “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” as well as a medley inspired by “Idol” mentors, like Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson and Olivia Newton-John. “There are songs we sang on ‘Idol’ and songs from ‘Idol’ that inspired us,” Studdard explains from his home in Alabama. “We want to give people that Ruben and Clay experience.” While Studdrad has performed regularly over the last 20 years, Aiken spent much of the last decade unsuccessfully running for Congress in his home state of North Carolina. The tour marks Aiken’s return to the road for the first time since 2012. “The only thing that’s changed in 20 years is that we’re older and now we have families,” Studdard says. “We just enjoy getting to do a job we love.” Both singers were 24 when they were on “American Idol.” While Studdard studied music in college and had decided to focus on a career as a singer, he was not prepared for what an experience like “American Idol” could mean. “I was really excited about the prospects, but didn’t know what to expect because I didn’t watch the first season. Every week was a new experience and opportunity,” he says. A big part of that experience was performing before judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. By the second season, Cowell’s sometimes sharp criticism was almost as well known as the performances, but Studdard felt his opinions were in line. “Listen, Simon was par for the course,” the singer says. “I was a music major and his critiques weren’t any different from voice teachers I had in school. You need that. The music industry is a lot tougher than Simon is on ‘Idol’ because they go over everything to make sure they’re getting a return on investment.” While the judging created some tension in the episodes, Studdard says there was little drama behind the scenes. The performers lived together in a mansion and got along, making for a cohesive environment. “The way we were in that house was all like a family because 75% of us were from the South,” he says. “It was hard to foster a spirit of competition until we were on the stage and even then it wasn’t really a competition with each other.” In a November interview in The Washington Post about the tour, Aiken said the camaraderie was genuine among that season’s contestants. “I think one of the reasons we became not only friends with each other, but friends with everyone in our group, is because we had no idea what we were getting into,” Aiken said. “In subsequent seasons, I happen to know for a fact ... the winner and runner-up had not spoken since their season ended. And we were both like, ‘What?’” In that interview, Aiken also revealed that a staffer on that season of the show was his first boyfriend. Studdard emerged victorious in the final episode, winning by 134,000 votes out of 24 million votes, a relatively slim margin that prompted some outrage from Aiken fans. Claymates, as they are known, may have felt vindicated when the singer’s first single, “This is the Night,” topped Studdard’s “Flying Without Wings” on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became the best-selling single of 2003. Studdard didn’t mind. He released his full-length debut, “Soulful,” later that year and his version of “Superstar” was nominated for a Grammy. That honor put him in competition with his idol, Luther Vandross, who won the Best Male R&B Vocal Performance award for “Dance with My Father.” “It was an adjustment going from obscurity to everyone knowing who you were,” Studdard says about the attention he received following his “Idol” win. The singer has kept busy recording and touring and in 2018 released a very personal album, a tribute to Vandross who died in 2005. He’s been able to feature a couple of those songs in his tour with Aiken. “He was my mother’s favorite artist so I grew up around his music and I became a fan. To have people compare me to him is a blessing,” Studdard says, adding that he’s excited to see the new documentary on Vandross. If you go What: Ruben Studard & Clay Aiken When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4 Where: Fargo Theatre Info: Tickets from $49.50 to $69.50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted January 4 Author Report Share Posted January 4 startribune.com From 'American Idol' rivals to besties, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken explain Quote From 'American Idol' rivals to besties, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken explain Headed to Minneapolis, they discuss first impressions, pet peeves, parenting and their brotherly relationship. By Jon Bream Star Tribune JANUARY 4, 2024 — 5:00AM CASSIDY ARAIZA, FOR THE WASHINGTON POST Clay Aiken, top, and Ruben Studdard are on the concert tour “Twenty” to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their “American Idol” showdown in 2003. They seemed an unlikely couple — the teddy bear from Alabama with the gospelly R&B voice and the geeky pop singer from North Carolina. But Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken hit it off on "American Idol" in 2003, finishing as winner and runner-up, respectively — and best friends. Unlike any other "Idol" contestants, they've been forever linked. They toured together in 2010 and four years later they did a Christmas show on Broadway. They call it a brotherly relationship with divergent paths. While Studdard has had a steady career of touring and recording R&B albums, Aiken twice ran unsuccessfully for Congress in North Carolina. He hasn't released an album since 2010 or performed since 2014. Both singers ended up on reality TV: Aiken on "The Celebrity Apprentice" in 2012 and Studdard on "The Biggest Loser" in 2014. Last year, Aiken finally returned to music to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his and Studdard's "American Idol" run. Headed to the Dakota in Minneapolis, Studdard and Aiken, both 45, started talking about the Twin Cities before they entertained questions in a joint phone interview last weekend. Aiken reminisced about opening the 2003 "American Idol" tour in St. Paul, where they rehearsed for a week. Studdard has been a regular Thanksgiving visitor because his best childhood friend lives in Mendota Heights. Here are excerpts from an hourlong conversation. Q: Ruben, how did you convince Clay to return to the road after all these years? RS: We talked about it before, but I don't think he really considered it until he came to see my Luther [Vandross] show a couple years ago. CA: Ruben had been on the road for 20 years solid. I had stopped and taken an ill-advised detour into, should we call, "public service." He stayed supportive during the whole time I did that. When you see Ruben perform, it just makes you happy. Not often do I see a show that makes me want to get back onstage. Q: Why is the set list all covers? No solo hits like Clay's "Invisible" or Ruben's "Sorry 2004." RS: It's the Ruben and Clay Show, not the Ruben Studdard or Clay Aiken show. We try to give people opportunity to have fun from the perspective of where they met us, which is on "American Idol." CA: It's a celebration of that pivotal moment not only in our lives but in America's lives. Season 2 was the year the show exploded. It's not a co-headlining where we each do our own set. You still get a heavy dose of Ruben singing "Flying Without Wings" and me doing "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Q: Clay, what was your first impression of Ruben 20 years ago? CA: Omigod, I was intimidated. My first impression of him onstage was that's the dude I've got to beat. My first impression of him as a person is the same as it is today: He'll talk to anybody, can talk to anybody, he is the most sociable, friendly. He walked up to me in the restaurant at the Hilton [Hotel] and we've been barely separated since. Q: Ruben, what was your first impression of Clay? RS: I thought he was hella cool. I saw him around a bunch of ladies that had been singing. The next day I got to hear how extremely talented he was. We had this spiritual thing. When they put us in that "Idol" house, we ended up being like the brother we never had. We ate cereal together, we played video games, anything you could think of. Q: Ruben, how has Clay changed in 20 years? RS: As far as personality, he's become a lot more assertive. Which is something that concerned me at the beginning of our friendship. Because I used to not like the way he handled things. CA: Now he's concerned for the other reason. He's like: "Damn, be less assertive, please." RS: Yeah, but he's definitely come into who he is as an adult. I think we were still trying to find ourselves on that show. I think "Idol" really centered me in that vision [of who I am]. Q: Clay, how has Ruben changed in 20 years? CA: Ruben has always been sort of — sage is the wrong word to use. When we'd sit in group meetings when the top 12 had to make a decision without the producers, Ruben would be the one that people would defer to. Now Ruben has that same sage ability to guide folks and mentor others. He's a calming presence when I lose my temper. He's a mentor to the band, to the crew, to the people in Alabama who line up to be his background singers. Q: Do you share fatherhood tips? RS: I just watch [Clay]. He is the prototypical Southern father. We're different as it pertains to discipline down here. We're "yes ma'am, no sir." That stuff is paramount. The pleasantries that we have to exhibit that go a long way to get you places. I've seen him in his co-parenting role. I know he tripped and stumbled a couple of times but he does it with grace and good character. He has a good heart. I know his son appreciates that. CA: He doesn't like his dad at this moment. He's 16. The tour came through Raleigh back in the spring and after the show I had friends and family milling around. Afterward I had four different people send me a photo of Ruben and Parker [Aiken's son] together. Ruben had his hand on Parker's shoulder. They had this really serious conversation. You can just see in Parker's eyes that he was listening to what Uncle Ruben was telling him and he was taking it to heart. We have been less advisers to each other as far as parenting goes as opposed to Ruben has been an uncle figure who he can ask for advice. God help us one day Olivier [Ruben's young son] will ask me for advice. Q: How often do you text or talk when not working together? RS: I would say as often as I would text my own brother. Once every two or three weeks. CA: Ruben is better about that than I am. Sometimes we'll hop on the phone. Q: Clay, what's your biggest pet peeve about Ruben? CA: He'll answer his phone — no matter who it is even if he doesn't know who it is — in the middle of anything. It could be a blocked number and he could be in the middle of planning a funeral and he'd answer the phone and it'll be someone from Birmingham asking if he'll come to their Little League game. Studdard laughed. Q: Ruben, what's your pet peeve about Clay? RS: There's so many. Aiken laughed. CA: You don't have to be diplomatic. Just say it. RS: Clay is a lot more serious in moments when I want him to enjoy the experience. A lot of times Clay is very meticulous and focused on the minor things. That is the producer in him and the person who has run his own campaign and has to be meticulous as opposed to enjoying the fact that he's actually running for Congress. CA: You can tell Ruben would be a great politician himself. What he's saying is I'm anal and have a temper. He's saying it so nicely. He's always been extra nice. RS: We are a team. We can argue internally but no one outside of us will know we argued. Q: Why haven't "Idol" contestants had more success in the record industry? RS: We were on a television show, and it doesn't have anything to do with the record industry. It gives you a platform to recognize your talent but it doesn't give you a golden ticket to sell a million records. Truth of the matter is "Idol" doesn't have the same record machine when [legendary record executive] Clive Davis was a part of the show. Different companies have different objectives. CA: When Ruben and I and Kelly [Clarkson] and Fantasia and Carrie Underwood were on the show, "Idol" was produced by a record company, 19 Entertainment. Simon Fuller created it and the winner was signed to his label. So for the first four years, it was a motivation to make sure that each person on the show became a long-term artist. As years went on and the show became owned by Fox and later ABC and Disney, the motivation is to create a good TV show. What's important is that the overnights [ratings] come in good. Now social media is important so a lot of the show needs to be produced so there are shareable moments. The way we measure success is different now. It's followers and shares. Q: Clay, what did you learn in politics that helps you in your performing career? CA: Nothing. This tour is the first thing I've done since I finally bleached myself of that world that has made me realize how much more authentic entertainment is than politics. That's a shame. That has a lot to do with why people hate politicians. Ruben and I go onstage and we're just ourselves. We're not guarded. People have fun and enjoy it. It's so much easier. Politics, even when you try to be yourself, you have 15, 20 people telling you not to. I pushed hard not to follow that stuff but there's a constant pressure to do what the polls tell you to do. Or what your communications [staff] tell you to say. The only thing I want to learn from politics is what not to do and how not to be. Q: How much do you pay attention to "Idol" these days? RS: I watch. I'm not invested in the kids like I used to be in early seasons. CA: Without watching this last season, I strayed for several years. Megan Wolflick used to drive us around when she was 24 as a producer on our season of "Idol," now she's the showrunner. Both of us have gotten a little more interested in it. She's bringing back some of the elements that made "Idol" great 20 years ago. Q: What's next after this tour? RS: Going out to perform my new record [released in October] — "The Way I Remember It." CA: I don't know the answer. I'm enjoying performing so much that I'll probably keep on. I'm certainly not going back to politics. But I think before our 25th anniversary, there will be a Ruben & Clay project of some kind because we enjoy working together so much. Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken When: 6:30 and 9 p.m. Fri. Where: The Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. Tickets: $65-$80, dakotacooks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted January 8 Author Report Share Posted January 8 timesonline.com Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken bringing those 2003 vibes and classic music here Quote Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken bringing those 2003 vibes and classic music here Ahead of their January tour, the 'American Idol' stars discuss their tour, aspirations and motivations. Scott Tady Beaver County Times Remember when we associated the initials "AI" with amazing live performances and heart-tugging emotions, and not something so artificial and robotic? Simpler times those were, when "American Idol" ruled the television landscape, drawing 20 million viewers loyally rooting on young singers chasing lofty dreams of musical superstardom. "American Idol's" 2002 debut, which crowned Kelly Clarkson as champion, was an earth-shaker, prompting Fox to hurry up a second season just four months later. That Season Two finale drew 38 million viewers − still the most-watched "Idol" episode − as Ruben Studdard, nicknamed "The Velvet Teddy Bear" − narrowly defeated runner-up Clay Aiken. Studdard and Aiken will whisk fans back to that era when their 20th-anniversary tour continues its second leg this month. Upcoming shows include Jan. 12: Robis Theatre, Warren, Ohio; Jan. 14, Edwin J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, Akron, Ohio; Jan. 15 Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall, Munhall, Pa.; Jan. 17, Plymouth Memorial Hall, Plymouth Mass.; Jan. 18, Issac Harris Cary Memorial Building, Lexington, Mass.; Jan. 19, NYCB Theatre at Westbury, Westbury, N.Y.; Jan. 21, Levoy Theatre, Millville, N.J.; Jan. 22 Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, Bethesda, Md. An extra $300 scores concertgoers access to the VIP soundcheck party where they'll hear an exclusive song performed live by Studdard and Aiken, with a personal meet-and-greet photo op and a bundle of merchandise (hoodie, unscented candle, tote bag). Studdard and Aiken granted a phone interview Jan. 4 to talk about the tour and share their "Idol" perspective. Here's what they said: The Times: Greetings and happy New Year. Did either of you make any New Year's Resolutions, and if so, have you kept them? Clay: I usually don't make them, but I did this year. I made a resolution to get dressed every day. I know that sounds stupid, but ever since COVID I got to the point where I'm lazy and I'll just wear the same sweatpants. So, I made a resolution this year to get dressed every day, and I've done it so far. You can hold me accountable the rest of the month, Ruben. I usually fail by the end of the first month, so keep me honest. The setlist for your tour looks impressive, including some Motown songs, a Boy Band medley, some R&B classics. How did you craft it? Ruben: This setlist is based upon who we are as individuals. A lot of this music is music we grew up on, and we want to tell a full story of how we got to the point of being on 'American Idol' and then also the people that were a part of our journey. Get the Daily Briefing newsletter in your inbox. Start your day with the morning's top news Delivery: Daily Your Email Clay: This is our third Ruben & Clay show; we did a tour in 2010 together and we did a Broadway show in 2018, and now this one, and I'd have to say this was the easiest setlist to come together. We just started talking about things we remembered, and Ruben would tell a story, like 'Remember that time we met Lamont Dozier, the Motown songwriter?' And I was like, oh my God, we should talk about that story, and then this full setlist kind of came together on just us sitting down together and talking about 20 years ago and finding the stories we thought were worth telling and then putting the music together to go with it. It was a really natural build. What made the 20th anniversary of your 'American Idol" appearance the right time to get back on the road together? Ruben: 20 years is a real monumental moment in your life after achieving something I never thought would happen to us. I always wanted to be a part of the music industry, but I never thought in a million years it would happen the way it did, being on "American Idol." And we wanted to celebrate with the people who gave us the chance to live out both of our dreams in some ways. This is something to be proud of and celebrated and just thankful we're still here 20 years after. Clay: Yeah, not many people get that chance. I mean, how many people would love to do it for five years? And especially today in this new music and media landscape, where people are TikTok-famous or YouTube-famous. My son gets his music from TikTok. Career artists are a much rarer breed these days. And so for Ruben and I to have been able to spend 20 years doing this and be career artists in that way, we're just thrilled and honored. Twenty years is a celebration. Can "American Idol" ever be as big a phenomenon as it was 20 years ago, now that there's so much competition from TikTok, YouTube and streaming services? Ruben: I don't know. Particularly with what you said, there's so much competition. We were the only game in town, when "American Idol" was on with us. Now there's "The Voice," "America's Got Talent" and all these other shows that compete with "American Idol" for the attention of America. And America's attention span is a lot shorter than it was when we were on the show. I think we were on the show at the perfect time. People got a taste of it with Kelly and it just blew up when our season came on. Clay: We do talk about how lucky we feel that we were there with Season 2. Maybe I'm biased (laughs) but as far as your question about 'Idol's' ability to be as big, I think it really comes down to how they measure success now. When we were on the show, obviously it came in ratings – our finale was the highest-rated episode in a century or something ... it was big – so ratings were big then. And then the careers of the artists who came off the show was really important to the record label that also produced the show at the time. Now, there's so much of an emphasis on becoming shareable. While 'Idol' does not yet get the 40 million viewers it did when Ruben and I were on regular TV, they get clips that are shared by millions of people. And they get clips that become viral. And they produce the show in a way that is geared to go viral in little clips. And so they measure success in a very different way. And I think still to this day, 'Idol' is the most social media-shared show in the country. They clearly are being successful in a different way than when we were on it. When you speak with fans at meet-and-greets, what do they say about the impact watching you on "American Idol" had on their lives? Ruben: I think for people in our particular states it gave them a sense of happiness and pride. One thing about the Southern states, we are really enthusiastic about our sports teams, and this was like a sporting event for those people in North Carolina and Alabama and Tennessee and all the places we represented, and I think that is something that was really unique about the show. Clay: 2003 was the year we also went to war in Iraq. That happened two weeks after we started our live 'Idol' shows. It was a really heavy year in the U.S. We've had a lot of people talk about how the show gave them an opportunity to escape twice a week; they could get together and forget about the problems of the world and the whole family could do something together. And that's what we've really tried to recreate in many ways with this live tour, giving folks an opportunity to escape from the crap that's going on in their lives and their worlds now in 2024, and it's a show the whole family can come to, and everybody knows the music and the songs. We've really tried to create that escape that 'Idol' provided back then and we're able to provide now. What was the moment where the sheer magnitude of 'Idol' hit you? Where you realized just how colossal it was? Ruben: A lot of the moments I couldn't believe I was having was meeting the celebrity guests. The Gladys Knights and all the people who came to be on the show. It was just crazy. Every week it was somebody new. Clay: We had been sort of sequestered in our house in Los Angeles during the entire production of the show. But when we got to the top three they flew Ruben, Kimberly Locke and myself to our hometowns, and for me, it wasn't until I got home and they landed me in the baseball stadium with 20,000 people there that I was like, 'Holy crap, people actually watch this show!' We saw the 300 people in the studio every week, but I don't think I realized how big the show was until I got home. It's admirable how you both used your platform to foster community-minded work. Any current projects like that you'd want to discuss? Ruben: Being on the show gave both of us the opportunities to start foundations. I still do work with my foundation, giving young people the opportunity to go to college and major in music like I did, and have summer music camps. That's what we do with the Ruben Studdard Foundation. Clay: And the National Inclusion Project I started right after 'Idol' is still going strong. We have programs in 40 states now that we help train and accredit programs to include kids with disabilities into summer camps, like Ruben does, or into YMCA camps or after-school programs where kids with disabilities are normally left out. Any new music we might hear from you in 2024? Ruben: I have an album I released last fall called 'The Way I Remember It.' I have no idea what number album it is (laughs) but I'm excited about it. We've had two new singles come out, and one more coming this year. Clay: Ruben is so prolific. I have not recorded something like that in over 10 years. It's just not been my ministry. I don't know though, Ruben, we've had so much fun on this 20-(anniversary) tour that it's kind of encouraged me to want to do a little bit more. So I'm considering it more strongly now than I have in the last 10 years. You've both had success on the theater stage, too. Clay, you in Broadway's 'Spamalot,' and Ruben you in the national tour of 'Ain't Misbehavin'.' Any future acting plans? Ruben: Listen: Clay got me on stage doing the Ruben & Clay Christmas play, and it was a lot of work. But if my brother wants to do it again, I will do it again with him. But I don't know, we'll see. Clay: One of the things we have in common is we've been able to stick around for 20 years without always having specific aims on 'this is what I want to do next.' Reporters always ask: 'What's next?' Maybe it's because we came from a show that surprised us and we didn't expect would change our lives, but we've stayed open to other things changing our lives. Everything I've done and I think most of the things Ruben has done is because we stayed open to possibilities, and didn't become so hyper-laser-focused on this is what I want to do next. Instead, we let go, and we let God. That's been a key to longevity. We're waiting for the opportunity to come to us and be open to it. Clay, in your case that included running for Congress. Any chance you'd seek political office again? Clay: That's one opportunity the door is shut on. I'm never doing that again. (both laugh). Let's bring it back to the tour. How many band members do you have on stage? Ruben: We have five band members on stage. It's pretty similar to most traveling shows. We're having a wonderful time with these amazing musicians, especially the young lady who sings backup for us, Michelle Holloway. She helps bring this show to life in so many ways. We're thankful we continue to get to work with great people. You ever flash back to 20 years ago when you see each other singing? Clay: That's what the whole show is. We do songs we did on 'Idol.' We talk about the experience on 'Idol.' We talk about who we met. We sing songs by Lamont Dozier because we worked with him, and Lionel Richie and Gladys Knight because we got to work with them. Even the music that's played as people walk into the theater and during intermission is the hits from 2003. We try to make it 2003 in the room every night. It's all flashback. That should be the name of our next tour. More:These 14 albums shined the brightest in 2023 Your tour includes a stop here in Pittsburgh. Does that stir up any vivid thoughts or memories? Ruben: I look forward to coming back there always because one of my favorite playwrights, August Wilson, is from Pittsburgh. I'm sure the music and arts community there is alive and well. Clay: I love Pittsburgh. I've done three shows there with the Pittsburgh CLO; 'Grease,' 'A Drowsy Chaperone' and we did a tribute to their 75th anniversary on Heinz Field. So, lovely town, and if it weren't for your harsh winters, I could see myself spending a lot more time there. But your summers? I love them. Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@gannett.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted January 8 Author Report Share Posted January 8 mlive.com Ruben and Clay are about to deliver one of the most fun shows of January in Michigan Quote Ruben and Clay are about to deliver one of the most fun shows of January in Michigan Updated: Jan. 08, 2024, 9:25 a.m.| Published: Jan. 08, 2024, 7:47 a.m. Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken are going on tour together in 2024 with concerts in Metro Detroit and Kalamazoo.rubben studdard and clay aiken Subscribers can gift articles to anyone By Edward Pevos | epevos@MLive.com KALAMAZOO AND CLINTON TWP., MI - Two of the most recognizable voices in “American Idol’s” more than 20 year history have teamed up for what could be two of the most fun concerts of January in Michigan. Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken are coming to both Kalamazoo and Metro Detroit. The two will be at Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo on Thursday, January 11. Tickets can be purchased here. They will also be at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts in Clinton Township on Saturday, January 13. Tickets can be purchased here. Studdard won the second season of the hit TV singing competition while Aiken finished the runner-up. The two promise a night where they will take audience members on a musical trip through both of their “Idol” journeys. “It’s a little bit of everything. We sing both solos and on our own,” Aiken told MLive. “The whole show is kind of reliving the music, experience and the whole vibe of our time on the show in 2003. Ruben performs songs he did on the show and I do songs I performed on the show. We’re both on stage together for probably 80% of the show doing both solos and singing with each other and backup for each other.” And it’s not just about the music at this show. The singers plan to give audience members some insider info on their experiences from Season 2 of “Idol.” “We give fans a behind the scenes look at what went on with the show,” Studdard told MLive. “We try to talk about some things that people had no idea were going on when we were there, so it’s a unique opportunity to give fans some behind the scenes stories, not just musically, but production wise.” As “American Idol” continues to showcase talent from all walks of life from all over the country as it returns for another season this February, and even though the show has evolved over the years, Aiken says he believes the most important thing contestants can do is be themselves. “Being as authentic as possible is the common thread that Ruben and I have seen with people who have been successful on these shows,” Aiken added. “And not just with TV, but it seems like those who are themselves also do well on TikTok and YouTube, the people who know who they are, feel comfortable with themselves and who don’t apologize for who they are.” “We remember people would walk into the audition room dressed like they thought pop stars should look like or what a star might be like. Those folks rarely made it far. Ruben walked in with a football jersey on and I looked a mess. But we were just ourselves. Even today, the people who seem to do the best on TV and on social are the ones that are being just who they are. And that’s infectious.” This tour also has a Michigan connection. Kalamazoo’s Nashon Holloway is a backup singer. But at the Kalamazoo concert, Aiken told us she will also have the spotlight as the opener. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted January 14 Author Report Share Posted January 14 mlive.comRuben and Clay do a throwback-style variety show with plenty of Motown in Motown Quote Ruben and Clay do a throwback-style variety show with plenty of Motown in Motown Updated: Jan. 13, 2024, 11:33 p.m.| Published: Jan. 13, 2024, 11:26 p.m. Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken are on tour together and had two stops in Michigan the week of January 8, 2024.Photo by Lindsey McCutchan Subscribers can gift articles to anyone By Edward Pevos | epevos@MLive.com CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI - They have a lot of chemistry on stage and not just with their powerful harmonies, but also with their witty banter. Rubben Studdard and Clay Aiken teamed up for a concert in Kalamazoo earlier this week and a show at the Macomb Center in Clinton Township tonight. We talked to the “American Idol” season 2 winner, Studdard, and season 2 runner-up, Aiken, last week before seeing them perform, what we can only describe as, a fun-filled variety show, of sorts. Studdard and Aiken, backed by a band, were mostly on stage together, either performing duets of popular songs, harmonies with one another, or background vocals for the other singer. Kalamazoo’s Nashon Holloway was also on backup vocals and even had a few leads throughout the night. Studdard and Aiken performed all or parts of around 40 songs with many fan favorites from their time on “Idol” through their audition process all the way to the finals with songs like “Superstar,” “Open Arms,” “To Love Somebody” and “Midnight Train To Georgia.” The two also told stories of what went on behind the scenes during their time on the show, like how Aiken dreaded finding out what the song themes were because he said he doesn’t know a lot of popular music, while Studdard, a music guru, always seemed to know what song he wanted to sing each week right away. The two talked about some of the big names they got to sing with on the show or work with over the last 20 years, legends like Babyface, Olivia Newton-John and legendary Motown writer, Lamont Dozier. The two also performed a medley of Motown hits including “I Can’t Help Myself,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted,” “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “Dancing In the Street” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” The two also did a boy band medley and Studdard, who has an entire album of Luther Vandross songs, had a chance to do a few of the legendary singer’s hits, while Aiken did some Barry Manilow and Simon and Garfunkel. The two capped off the show with Studdard’s, “Flying Without Wings” and an encore showstopper with both of them performing “The Impossible Dream.” Ruben and Clay put on such a fun night of music, stories and comedy, they could probably record this two hour show and run it as a prime-time network or Netflix special. Or, you can check them out at a city near you as this tour continues for a few more weeks with shows all over the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken are on tour together and had two stops in Michigan the week of January 8, 2024.Photo by Lindsey McCutchan
ldyjocelyn Posted January 15 Author Report Share Posted January 15 newsday.com Quote Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken Team for "American Idol" Nostalgia Show at Westbury By David J. Criblez david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez January 12, 2024 5:00 am Back in 2003, singers Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard were presented as rivals on the second season of “American Idol.” But that was just on screen. The truth is these two southern gentlemen, winner Studdard and runner-up Aiken, have been the best of friends off-screen and they are currently celebrating their bond with the “Twenty Years / One Night Tour,” which comes to the NYCB Theatre at Westbury on Jan. 19. “The competition between Ruben and I was hyped up for the benefit of the viewing audience,” admits Aiken, 45. “I don’t think we felt competitive against each other at all. We played it up on stage for the benefit of the joke, but we never felt that way.” Studdard, 45, adds, “It couldn’t be further from the truth. Basically, everybody was competing with themselves. On ‘American Idol,’ your job was to be better than you were the day before.” SHOW HAS LI ROOTS Surprisingly, the seed for the current tour originated on Long Island in the venue the duo are about to headline. “In 2014, I semi-left performing and wanted to try other things. I stopped singing from 2014 to the beginning of 2018,” says Aiken. “Then in early 2018 I went to see Ruben perform his ‘Ruben Sings Luther’ show in Westbury. It was at that show that I realized I wanted to perform again but only if I can do it with Ruben.” Studdard says, “We have built a friendship on the show that we have continued over the years. When I say that I mean we are like family. Our current show is the 20th anniversary of our friendship. We want to share 20 years of great memories with the public, which is why we decided to go out on tour.” TURNING BACK THE CLOCK The current show is a nostalgia fest for “American Idol” fans featuring a revue of songs both Aiken and Studdard famously knocked out of the park on “Idol” combined with behind-the-scenes stories. “The show is broken down into sections and it’s about the people that inspired us,” says Studdard, who recently released his 8th album, “The Way I Remember It.” “We tell stories about the things we did, the people that we worked with and we have songs that coincide with the people that we are talking about.” Aiken adds, “Ruben sings by himself quite a bit and I sing by myself as well. We perform medleys together and reminisce. Our goal is to recreate the magic that was 2003 because it was a pivotal moment in our lives.” What made “American Idol” stand out from other talent shows was that it was the first time people at home got to vote. “This element created an ownership and competition among the viewers because they were devoting their own time to being on the phone after every episode trying to vote,” says Aiken. “I think that’s what made the show fun and created the 21st century variety show featuring a little bit of everything from country music to disco to Broadway to pop. Our tour celebrates all of that. We touch on every genre that we hit on ‘Idol.’ ” Highlights of the show include performances of Aiken’s version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” as well as Studdard belting out “Flying Without Wings.” “I love singing those big power ballads,” says Studdard. “It still makes the hair stand up on my arm when we sing those songs. I feel something special is happening.” Aiken adds, “Those are the moments when people are most pulled back to 2003. I find myself even making the same arm motions when I sing.” WHEN RUBEN MET CLAY Aiken and Studdard first met at the Hilton Hotel in Glendale, California during Hollywood Week on “Idol.” “I was holding court with a couple of people and in comes Clay,” recalls Studdard. “I saw he was the only guy around a whole bunch of girls. So I came over and introduced myself.” Aiken, who came out as gay in 2008, notes, “He thought I was a player!” (laughs) For Aiken being on “Idol” was quite an awakening because he had never been around people who shared the same musical interest as he did. “Nobody in my world sang at all,” says Aiken. “It was sort of like this interesting, cool summer camp club where everybody was into the same thing and we all had that in common to talk about.” 'IDOL' LESSONS Both men walked away from “Idol” learning some big life lessons that they still carry with them today. “It was not as easy to be proud of the skills I had or develop confidence in myself until ‘Idol.’ Being on the show taught me to like myself for who I am and celebrate the gifts God gave me,” says Aiken. “I think it does that for a lot of kids that are on the show now. That’s something that hasn’t changed in 20 plus years. It gives people a chance to shine and build confidence.” Studdard says, “The biggest lesson that I learned is that hard work and dedication pays off. The people that made it to the top 10 were extremely serious. We took pride in the work that we did and they made sure to get every ounce of energy out of us for sure.” Although Aiken and Studdard are simpatico that doesn’t mean their fans are fully on the same page. “Our fans were the ones that were competitive with one another and they continued that even after the show was over,” says Studdard. Aiken says, “There are still people who come to our shows that are primarily there for Ruben or me, but they know how much we love each other and that there’s no animosity between us. They now come and enjoy the show with both of us. We’ve all matured a little bit.” RUBEN STUDDARD & CLAY AIKEN WHEN/WHERE 8 p.m., Jan. 19; NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury INFO 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com ADMISSION $29-$129.50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted January 19 Author Report Share Posted January 19 ajc.com INTERVIEWS: Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken reunite on stage 20 years after ‘Idol’ Quote INTERVIEWS: Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken reunite on stage 20 years after ‘Idol’ They are touring, including a stop at Buckhead Theatre Jan. 24. Credit: HANDOUT The "American Idol" season 2 winner Ruben Studdard reunited with runner-up Clay Aiken for a tour to celebrate the season's 20th anniversary and will stop at Buckhead Theatre Jan. 24, 2024. HANDOUT By Rodney Ho 48 minutes ago Twenty years ago, “American Idol” was on its way to becoming the biggest show in America, bigger than “C.S.I.,” bigger than “Friends,” bigger than “ER.” It was one of the final broadcast shows that cut across generations, before social media atomized TV viewership. And that spring of 2003, two very different 24-year-old men — Ruben Studdard of Birmingham, Alabama, and Clay Aiken of Raleigh, North Carolina — found themselves at the center of the pop culture universe, landing on magazine covers, awards shows and late-night talk shows. Aiken, a gawky teacher with an enchanting voice, made quite the visual counterpoint to Studdard, the cuddly R&B singer who picked up the nickname “Velvet Teddy Bear.” In the end, Studdard beat Aiken in a controversial finale where Aiken’s “Claymates” complained that jammed phone lines had cost their man the title. (Yes, it was so long ago, voting could only be done by calling.) data:image/svg+xml;base64,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 Credit: FOX PUBLICITY Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard during the final of season two of "American Idol" in May 2003. They are coming to the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta Jan. 24, 2024 to perform together again. FOX Two decades later, the pair decided to hit the road to celebrate that magical time period by reprising many of the classic tunes they did on the show. At the tail end of their tour, they are coming to Atlanta’s Buckhead Theatre on Wednesday, Jan. 24. Tickets are still available at livenation.com from $43 to $97.50. Studdard has toured and recorded music regularly over the past 20 years. Aiken did the same for much of the first decade before embarking on a career in politics and raising his son. Studdard is the one who came up with the idea for this reunion tour. “I put a gun to Clay’s head,” Studdard joked in a Zoom interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It was the only way he could get me out of the house,” said Aiken, an admitted “hermit.” While Aiken was campaigning for a House seat in North Carolina in 2014 and 2022, Studdard would support him but say, “One of these days, you’re going to get tired of this and get back on stage.” Aiken would reply, “Okay, sure, sure.” data:image/svg+xml;base64,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 Credit: AP Clay Aiken speaks to supporters during an election night watch party in Holly Springs, N.C., Tuesday, May 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) “Lo and behold,” Aiken said, “after the last campaign, I said, ‘Yup! You’re right! I’m ready!” The setlist includes a mix of solo covers and duets from legends who showed up on “Idol” that season, like Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier and pop superstar Barry Manilow. They also tell the audience stories from their time on the show. “I remember Lamont Dozier because I’m a music nerd that way,” Studdard said. “I remember all the arguments because I’m a drama queen!” Aiken said, chuckling. Good news for fans who may not have heard either of them in awhile live: they believe their voices sound better than ever. For Aiken, going on tour was a bit scary because, except for a short stint on Broadway with Studdard in 2018, he hasn’t sung much the past decade. “I can hit high notes better than I used to,” Aiken said. “That last note on ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ has been in the past a cross-your-fingers moment, though I always got it. Now it’s just easier. The high notes are there. My range has gone up.” Overall, he said, “this tour we’ve been in fighting form the whole time.” Studdard said the fans have been a delight though “every single night, there is someone who wants to dictate how our show goes or tells us our story as we tell it on the stage.” One fan at a recent concert was actually helpful. Studdard had come on stage and forgotten to zip his pants. So the woman came to the front of the stage and quietly showed Studdard her phone. “I thought she was showing him a picture of Ruben with her,” Aiken said. But instead, she had written in big letters “ZIPPER.” Studdard appreciated the discretion. “A few months ago, my zipper was down the whole act and nobody said anything until I got offstage!” Aiken said. The Atlanta date will be a homecoming of sorts for Studdard, who has plenty of family and friends in the area and comes here often. He recorded his last album at a studio in Dunwoody. Aiken said Atlanta is where he auditioned for “Idol” in 2002 so “it will always have a special place in my heart.” While on “Idol” in 2003, they said they became quick friends. “We both realized we were barbecue aficionados,” Studdard said. “Except he likes the wrong kind,” Aiken shot back. More seriously, Aiken said he loves their differences. “We are brothers and all the good that comes with that,” he said. “We are just enough alike that we have things to talk about. But I don’t expect him to know who is going to win the Tony for best musical this year. And he doesn’t expect me to know about whatever sports ballgame is on tonight.” They bonded even more after “Idol” was over once they absorbed the intense fandom during the “Idol” tour. Aiken’s Claymates were so rabid, he felt the need to have security whenever he left the house for about seven years. But neither has regrets. Studdard felt the show came at the right time after 9/11 and as a war brewed. “We needed the comfort,” he said. “‘Idol’ was a break from what was going on in the real world.” “‘Idol’ seasons one to five were the last time everybody in the country watched the same show,” Aiken said. “We are now just fractured media wise.” Aiken has no desire to get back into politics. Even between his losing 2014 and 2022 campaigns, he saw the divisions between people grow to untenable levels. “I refuse to lie about somebody,” Aiken said. “I refuse to slander somebody because I want to win. I didn’t want it that bad.” And his own inherent shyness meant the social interactions politicians have to do took a lot out of him. When these concerts end, Aiken will scurry off the stage, jump on the tour bus and change into his pajamas before the last fan is out the door. In comparison, Studdard will be happy to hang out in the lobby and schmooze with departing fans. “He is so laid back and casual,” Aiken said. “He’d take the shirt off his back if someone wanted it.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twenty years ago, “American Idol” was on its way to becoming the biggest show in America, bigger than “C.S.I.,” bigger than “Friends,” bigger than “ER.” It was one of the final broadcast shows that cut across generations, before social media atomized TV viewership. And that spring of 2003, two very different 24-year-old men — Ruben Studdard of Birmingham, Alabama, and Clay Aiken of Raleigh, North Carolina — found themselves at the center of the pop culture universe, landing on magazine covers, awards shows and late-night talk shows. Aiken, a gawky teacher with an enchanting voice, made quite the visual counterpoint to Studdard, the cuddly R&B singer who picked up the nickname “Velvet Teddy Bear.” In the end, Studdard beat Aiken in a controversial finale where Aiken’s “Claymates” complained that jammed phone lines had cost their man the title. (Yes, it was so long ago, voting could only be done by calling.)
ldyjocelyn Posted January 24 Author Report Share Posted January 24 stpetecatalyst.com The Catalyst interview: Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken Quote The Catalyst interview: Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken Published 23 hours ago on January 23, 2024 By Bill DeYoung Ruben Studdard, left, and Clay Aiken are touring together to mark 20 years since their record-breaking appearances on TV's "American Idol." Publicity photo. On Wednesday night, May 21, 2003, an impressive 38 million television sets were tuned to Fox for the Season 2 finale of American Idol. It remains the most-watched live, regularly scheduled, non-sports TV episode of this century so far. Viewers cast 24 million votes and chose (by a narrow margin) Birmingham, Alabama vocalist Ruben Studdard as the winner – the Idol – with Clay Aiken, of Raleigh, North Carolina, the runner-up. Buoyed by such massive ratings numbers, both singers went on to fairly successful careers as recording and performing artists. They’ve remained good friends over the years, and have been touring the county together for several months. The show stops Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo; find tickets here. The stats: Studdard had a No. 2 single (“Flying Without Wings”), one platinum and one gold album, and earned rave reviews for his album-length salute to Luther Vandross (Studdard’s velvety-smooth voice has been compared to Vandross’ since the beginning). He lost a lot of weight on TV’s The Biggest Loser. Aiken scored two platinum albums, and his first single (“Bridge Over Troubled Water/This is the Night”) went to No. 1. His personal life took center stage in 2008, when he came out (in People) as gay. Aiken said later that he “lost” nearly half of his fan base. In 2014 and 2022, he ran , unsuccessfully, for the U.S. House of Representatives, representing his home state. Both performers have appeared on major theater stages, and in 2018 brought Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Christmas Show to Broadway. St. Pete Catalyst: Before the show, I understand, the audience as they walk in is hearing music from 2003. Is the ultimate goal here, in the broadest sense, to bring people back 20 years? To go back to that exact moment in time? Ruben Studdard: I would think so. We want people to come out and remember the spirit that time held. I can only speak for the people that I’ve met, but a lot of them will come up to me and tell me how that brought their family together. I know several church groups that told me they watched it at their church, religiously – even though it was a secular show, it was something that brought the community together. At my little church in Birmingham there were people of all races that came together to have watch parties. And for us, it’s just reliving that energy, that moment. Clay Aiken: Let me tell you, I’d be happy to live in any other time but this one! I was looking out into the audience recently, and I would argue that our show has probably the most eclectic, diverse crowds of any concert you’ll ever go to. Age, race, religion, socio-economic level, all of it. It’s beautiful to go out into the audience every night and see how everyone’s out there having fun, and dancing and singing along … one of Ruben’s philosophies is that this is their escape. This is our audience’s opportunity to escape from what’s going on in their lives, and their problems. Everyone’s enjoying the same thing – and I gotta tell you, I don’t see that happening much in the world these days. But like Ruben said, it happened in 2003. And so if we can re-create that, that’s what we’re here for. In 2003, could either of you imagine that you’d still be out on the road 20 years later, much less together? Studdard: I had no idea what the opportunity of American Idol would bring. I just knew that it would give us the opportunity to do things like we’re doing right now. I’ve done shows with other people who were on our season, and it just gives us the opportunity, for the rest of our lives, to be bonded with people that enjoy music in the same way that we do, and who want to perform it and bring joy to people’s lives. Aiken: On that last night, we realized it was even bigger than we knew the first week. We didn’t know, throughout the process, that it was this huge show. But by the last two weeks we had been taught – or learned – that it was this national phenomenon. And I think we both knew that something was going to happen after the show ended. I don’t know that either of us could have predicted that it would still be happening 20 years later! But throughout that process, Ruben and I knew that we would know each other for the rest of our lives. We knew that we would stay close and be friends forever. Even if I went back to teaching, and Ruben was doing something else, we would still be friends. A cynical journalist would hear that and go ‘He’s just saying that to plug this duo tour – friends all these years, really?’ But you guys really did bond back in those days? Studdard: We did, and we also didn’t have a choice. I don’t think that anybody can live in such close proximity as the people that we lived with and not have a bond. I still talk to the guy that lived five doors down from me in my dorm room in college. That’s just me. And Clay, myself, Joshua (Gracin), all of us, we were in the same room, basically, for six months. So to think that we would go away from that and not talk to one another is just weird, to us. Because we really made a real family there. Like these wee my real live brothers and sisters. Aiken: We both have friends from high school who we stay close with. They say you can’t make old friends, and there is something about the people who we grew up with that makes that connection stronger. And it’s because so few people know what we were like when we were in high school. And no one else except for the 10 people who were finalists with us know what we went through. I became really close with Kelly Clarkson when we toured together the next year – in large part because, at that point, no one else besides Ruben and Kelly, and Justin Guarini, knew what it was like to spend an entire season on a TV show like that. And have your lives changed overnight, almost. Because we all went through the fire together, we have that bond. What does this concert consist of? Songs you sang on the show, songs from your solo albums, your favorite classics? Studdard: We intentionally avoid singing songs that are on our albums, just because we wanted this to be The Ruben & Clay Show, not The Ruben Show and then, when Clay comes on, it’s The Clay Show. And what better way to do it than sing material that is based in the people that were a part of our American Idol journey. We sing songs from people like Gladys Knight, and Robin Gibb. We do Smokey Robinson material. Burt Bacharach. Aiken: This goes back to your first question, about trying to take people back to 2003. We do the songs in the same way we did them on Idol. There were a lot of medleys. They don’t do those any more. People have forgotten that for the first several years of the show, on Wednesday nights, all the finalists would do medleys together. We do a bunch of those. There aren’t too many songs that two guys can sing together, so we don’t sing right on top of each other all the time, but we’re onstage together the entire time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted February 3 Author Report Share Posted February 3 fortmyers.floridaweekly.com Best of Friends: Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken Quote Best of Friends: Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken “American Idol” finalists wind up 20-year reunion tour By Staff January 31, 2024 BY SUE WADE Florida Weekly Correspondent Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken reunite for a tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debuts and triumph on “American Idol,” Season 2. LINDSEY MCCUTCHAN / COURTESY PHOTO On the surface, these “American Idol” finalists are the least likely of best friends. When Clay Aiken auditioned for the second season of the fledgling reality TV show, he was a skinny kid with a drawl, sporting sideburns and granny glasses. Ruben Studdard could’ve been a tackle for the Crimson Tide. They’ve been tagged with the joint moniker “odd couple.” But one thing they had in common was the unshakeable confidence of 24-year-olds who know they’ve got talent. Plucked from obscurity in their southern hometowns — Studdard’s in Alabama, Aiken’s in North Carolina — they became audience favorites who propelled “Idol” to the top of the Nielsens. More than 38 million viewers tuned in for the outcome of over 124 million votes cast in their finale, making it the most-watched “Idol” episode in history. In the end, the pair didn’t much care who won. (It was Studdard, by a 134,000-vote margin). Studdard and Aiken walked away from the show as lifelong celebrities and, even better, lifelong brothers. On their 20-year reunion tour, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken will sing some of the songs that made them “American Idol” favorites. LINDSEY MCCUTCHAN / COURTESY PHOTO Since then, they’ve sold millions of albums, appeared on TV shows and starred on Broadway. Between them, they’ve won four Billboard Music Awards and an American Music Award and been nominated for two Grammys. Returning to reality TV, Aiken was again a runner-up, this time on 2012’s “The Celebrity Apprentice.” In 2013, Studdard appeared on “The Biggest Loser,” where he didn’t win but still dropped 119 pounds. Aiken ran for Congress, twice, before abandoning politics. Studdard created and taught a music industry course at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Only his adult students knew who he was. Last spring — nearly 20 years after the two stood onstage together with Ryan Seacrest, waiting to hear who’d won — they set out on an 82-date 20th anniversary tour that will have its last stop in Punta Gorda. “Twenty / The Tour” features the music that made them “Idol” favorites. From Aiken’s iconic rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” to Studdard’s soulful “Flying Without Wings,” America’s favorite Idols, with a five-piece band, promise an evening of music and memories. LINDSEY MCCUTCHAN / COURTESY PHOTO At the 65th stop on their tour, Season 2’s top two took time to trade quips and mutual admiration in a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day interview with Florida Weekly. “I think we’re in Pittsburgh,” Studdard said. “And it is not hot,” Aiken chimed in. “We are very excited about the end of the tour and warm weather in Florida.” What were your first impressions of each other? RS: I honestly thought Clay was a ladies’ man! From the stage point of view, I definitely recognized his talent very early on. In any singing competition, you can pretty much tell who you’ll need to look out for. It was clear with him. CA: It was clear with Ruben, too. I was sitting at the hotel bar where we were staying for Hollywood Week, with a whole bunch of girls around me. Ruben walked up, the person everyone knew was the one to beat. I remember being intimidated by him from afar, until he walked up, said hello and introduced himself. He was this big, imposing guy, a football player who sang like Luther Vandross, but there’s this warmth about him that’s just evident. He is, as Gladys Knight described him, a “Velvet Teddy Bear.” You’ve got this “odd couple” label. How do you feel about that? RS: I mean, the obvious things are I’m straight, he’s gay; I’m Black, he’s white. But I think we have a lot more similarities than things that are opposite. We’re both church kids who sang a lot. We both had very strong parental figures in our life growing up. We both love, love our grandparents. We both have a strong affinity for barbecue. CA: There’s a marketing aspect of that that’s helpful, certainly. Still, it was nice to be around someone who had the same interests I did. I did not have that experience as much growing up as Ruben did. I didn’t know many people who knew much about music or performing. Or who loved their hometown the way I did. What we initially bonded over was picking at each other over whose home town or state was better. Now I can tell you so many people who were born in Birmingham or Alabama, like Courtney Cox and Lionel Richie. I didn’t have anybody from Raleigh back then. But the truth is, we’re willing to embrace that “odd couple” label because we hope people see that being different doesn’t keep you from loving other people, from being friends, from being close. I think our friendship is stronger because we have differences and know those differences shouldn’t make us enemies. I think that’s something the whole world could use more education in. RS: And all this is auspicious for Martin Luther King Day. What better message to share with your readers than “Love is the answer?” CA: (chuckling) Thank you, Reverend! Many of us remember that second season of “Idol.” What were you both thinking at the moment of the reveal? RS: I was just really happy that it was over. In sports, people talk about how exciting it is to win a championship, but I’d argue that most of the players are actually just excited that the season is over. So much work goes into getting to a level where you can play in a championship that, at the end of the day, you want to win, but you really don’t care what the outcome is and you’re just thankful you’ve made it to that point. That’s where my mind was at the time. We didn’t go into the show wanting to be second; we both wanted to be the winner. But at that point, we’d put so much of ourselves into that show — time away from our family — we were just happy it was about to be over. Or so we thought … CA: Correct. It was only just starting! Ruben’s right. We were both really happy. We’d found out a few commercial breaks prior that we were both getting albums, and we’d both gone into this wanting to make an album with a major label and have a music career. Winning would’ve been nice, and obviously there were financial benefits for the winner and everyone on the show who got a record deal out of it. So, for me, that was the reward. We were both excited that we were about to head into the next phase. It’s been noted that I saw the card in Ryan Seacrest’s hands before we walked out and that I knew Ruben’s name was going to be called. So, I was honestly just really happy for my friend. If you watch that last moment, I’m staring at Ruben the entire time — to the point that he was, like, “Dude, why the hell are you looking at me?” — because I wanted to see his reaction when Ryan said his name. I was excited for him. It’s not like a boxing match where you want to beat the other person, but at that point, I mean: My best friend just won “American Idol!” Clay, you ran for Congress, in 2014 and 2022. Why did you decide to leave politics? CA: Ruben knows this, because nobody was more supportive through the campaigns than he was. He was there to help both times. After our Idol run, we both tried to use that platform to do something for other people. We both started foundations (Ruben’s Foundation for the Advancement of Children in Music; Clay’s, with Diane Bubel, the National Inclusion Project for children with disabilities). We both grew up in an era when politics was more selfless, a means to do good for the people in your state and community. I kind of thought that’s what it still was, but it took me two times to learn it is not anymore. Ruben reminded me, in that last campaign, that I might make more people happy by singing than with politics. It didn’t take him much time to talk me into coming back out on the road again. RS: It being our 20th anniversary of being on the show, I thought: What better way to celebrate that than to go out and thank the people who gave us the opportunity to do the job that we both dearly love. ¦ In the KNOW Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken: Twenty / The Tour · When: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3 · Where: Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 701 Carmalita St., Punta Gorda · Cost: $59 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted March 14 Author Report Share Posted March 14 screenrant.com The Masked Singer: Beets Identity Prediction & Clues Quote The Masked Singer: Beets Identity Prediction & Clues BYLORIANNE PALINKAS PUBLISHED 12 HOURS AGO The Masked Singer season 11 features 16 celebrities competing for the Golden Mask Trophy. Here are the clues to figure out Beets' identities. The Masked Singer season 11 features the duo Beets as one of its 16 competitors, and there are many clues to help figure out who they really are. The Masked Singer season 11 once again features longtime host Nick Cannon, along with original panelists Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, and Ken Jeong. Rita Ora took Nicole Scherzinger's place on the panel for season 11, while Nicole was starring in London's West End production of Sunset Boulevard. The Masked Singer season 11 introduced Group B during The Wizard of Oz Night, which was a celebration of the 85th anniversary of the beloved film. Other season 11 theme nights will include the 40th anniversary of the classic toy Transformers, Billy Joel, Queen, Girl Group, Soundtrack of My Life, TV Theme, and Shower Anthem Nights. In addition, the panelists will once again have the option to use the Ding Dong Keep It On Bell to save contestants if they choose to. Here are all of the clues to figure out Beets' true identities. Beets’ The Wizard Of Oz Night Performance & Clues During The Masked Singer season 11 The Wizard of Oz Night, Beets sang "Home" by Michael Bublé in stunning harmony. Before the performance, Nick asked them who they were inspired by from the film. One Beet answered, "I think because of our loyalty as friends, Dorothy and Toto." Beet #1 began the clue package by saying, "There's no place like home, and wouldn't we know it. Home for us has been wherever we're together. And for a moment, we had millions of eyes on us." Beet #2 added, "Yeah, 40 million of them." At that point, an old-fashioned radio was shown. Beet #2 continued, "And even when it felt like the world was trying to pit us against each other, we've always had each other's back." He gave Beet #1 a gift, which was a book with a picture of one of the Beets on the cover with the title, "Beeting the Odds." Beet #1 said, "Of course. We're family." Beets then sat down to play cards. Beet # 1 said, "We work so well together. I mean, his big old brain." Beet #2 added, "And his unbeatable heart." Beet #1 then put down the two of hearts card on the table, and threw up his hands in victory. The Masked Singer season 11 contestants were then shown on a farm. Beet #2 said, "Guess all we need now is to find the nerve to turn up together on this stage. It'll be like going back to our roots." Beet #1 then shined an apple on himself. Beet 1 said, "Wait a second. Who's Dorothy, and who's Toto in this relationship?" Beet #2 replied, "Well, I am the feisty one, so clearly I'm Toto. Probably time for you to click your heels three times, Dorothy, and take us to stage." Beet #1 declared, "Here we go!" After their incredible performance, another clue about Beets was revealed, which was Toto from The Wizard of Oz. Beet #2 explained, "Like Toto and Dorothy, we're the best of friends." Beet #1 added, "And we're pretty good co-stars too." Beets’ Identity Predictions Custom image by César García The Masked Singer season 11 panelists had some great guesses for Beets. Rita was convinced that they were comedians. She guessed that they might be Will Arnett and Jason Bateman. Ken thought that they were a legendary duo and guessed K-Ci & JoJo. However, Robin declared that it might've been one of Ken's all-time worst guesses. He thought that Beets might be either radio personalities or television personalities, and guessed Steve Martin and Martin Short. Although The Masked Singer season 11 panelists tried their best, Beets' unmistakable vocals and clues indicate that they are a completely different duo: Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. The American Idol season 2 winner and runner-up have been working together for years, from their early days in the reality singing competition to their recent tour in which they celebrated their 20th anniversary of appearing on the show. In addition, in 2018, they starred on Broadway in Ruben & Clay's First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show. The 40 million eyes on Beets referred to the American Idol audience, while the clue about pitting them against each other referred to the fact that Ruben and Clay competed in the finale. The "unbeatable heart" referenced Ruben winning American Idol. Clay came in second, which is why there was a two of hearts card. Beets wowed everyone with their outstanding performance on The Masked Singer season 11. They will next appear with the other Group B contestants during Girl Group Night. The Beets will definitely go on in the competition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted March 14 Author Report Share Posted March 14 golderby.com ‘The Masked Singer 11’ episode 2 recap: Who was unmasked in ‘The Wizard of Oz Night’? [LIVE BLOG] The relevant parts: Quote 8:40 p.m. — The last performer in Group B is Beets. It’s a duo! They’re most inspired by Dorothy and Toto because of their loyalty as friends. In their clue package, Beets reveal, “There’s no place like home and wouldn’t we know it. Home for us has been wherever we’re together. And for a moment we had millions of eyes on us. Yea, 40 million of them. Even when it felt like the world was trying to pit us against each other, we’ve always had each other’s back. Of course, we’re family. We work so well together. I mean, his big ol’ brain and his unbeatable heart. I guess all we need now is to find the nerve to turn up together on this stage. It will be like going back to our roots. Wait a second, who’s Dorothy and who’s Toto in this relationship? Well, I am the feisty one so clearly I’m Toto. Probably time for you to click your heels three times, Dorothy, and take us to stage. Here we go!” Visual clues included an old radio, a book called “Beeting the Odds,” a 2 of Hearts playing card and a basket of apples. 8:45 p.m. — Beets are singing “Home” by Michael Buble. While these two seemed like they could be comedians by how they presented themselves, they’ve got incredible voices. It took me a few seconds to think about why I recognize these voices and then it hit me. I’m nearly positive this is Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard from “American Idol.” The voices are undeniable. For an additional clue, Toto brings out…himself! Beets say, “Like Toto and Dorothy, we’re the best of friends and we’re pretty good co-stars too.” This leads the panelists to guess Will Arnett & Jason Bateman (Rita), K-Ci & JoJo (Ken) and Steve Martin & Martin Short (Robin). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted Wednesday at 01:54 PM Author Report Share Posted Wednesday at 01:54 PM screenrant.com Raven-Symoné Returns To The Masked Singer To Reveal Cryptic Clue About Beets Quote Raven-Symoné Returns To The Masked Singer To Reveal Cryptic Clue About Beets BYCHER THOMPSON PUBLISHED 15 HOURS AGO The Masked Singer season 2 star Raven-Symoné is returning to the series to give a cryptic clue about one of the newest pairs of contestants, Beets. SUMMARY Raven-Symoné returns to The Masked Singer for clues and performance, steals spotlight with upcoming rendition of "Weak" by SWV. The mysterious duo The Beets intrigues viewers with harmonious performances, sparking speculation on their possible identities. Speculations range from Jason Bateman & Will Arnett to Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken, though their true identities remain a mystery. The Masked Singer season 2 star Raven-Symoné will be returning to the series to deliver clues about The Masked Singer season 11’s duo, The Beets, with an exciting performance. Raven, originally a member of The Cheetah Girls, has been a star of stage and screen since they were just 3 years old. Their appearance on The Masked Singer season 2 as the Black Widow made waves when they were one of two Cheetah Girls to appear on the show during the season. Joining their former costar Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, who was the Flamingo on the series, Raven took tenth place. In a sneak peek from an upcoming episode of The Masked Singer season 11, Raven returns for their first visit to the series since appearing on it themselves. In a clue that doubles as a performance, Raven is returning to the series to perform “Weak” by R&B trio SWV. The Beets shared that they “made our audience weak in the knees on Broadway”, which is why they wanted Raven to sing that particular song. The Beets, a duo in the competition, have been rumored to be quite a few different pairs, but the clue simply adds to their mystery. Who Might Be Inside Beets Costume On The Masked Singer? While there has been a lot of speculation about who could be inside the Beets costume, The Masked Singer viewers haven’t been able to come to a solid conclusion about the duo yet. The duo was introduced on Wizard Of Oz night, and have been able to continue on throughout the season with some spectacular performances thus far. During their first time on stage, the duo sang “Home” by Michael Bublé in a beautiful harmony. Their harmonizing along with the clue that the pair are loyal friends pushed some to believe the pair could be an acting or comedy duo. Though the clues have led the judges to speculate of Jason Bateman & Will Arnett, K-Ci & JoJo, or Steve Martin & Martin Short, The Masked Singer season 11 viewers have been wondering if the duo is actually American Idol season 2 finalists Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken. With clues surrounding their perceived rivalry in the original singing competition to others that allude to both mens’ careers on Broadway, it’s possible that the former Idol competitors are now working together as a team on The Masked Singer. Though The Beets are still in the competition, their performances appear to lend credence to the idea. While there’s no confirmation that The Masked Singer season 11’s duo is Ruben and Clay, the clues and performances have led many fans to believe that the pair are in the extravagant Beets costume. Despite there being no confirmation yet, many believe they’ve solved the mystery and are moving on to other performances to try and see what they can figure out ahead of their exciting reveals. With The Masked Singer bringing back performers like Raven to reveal new clues about the cast, the excitement is at an all-time high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted Thursday at 05:31 PM Author Report Share Posted Thursday at 05:31 PM screenrant.com This Clue In Last Night’s The Masked Singer All But Confirmed Beets’ Identity Quote This Clue In Last Night’s The Masked Singer All But Confirmed Beets’ Identity BYLORIANNE PALINKAS PUBLISHED 4 HOURS AGO The Masked Singer season 11's Beets is a dynamic duo, and one of their Girl Group Night clues has most likely revealed their true identities. SUMMARY The Masked Singer season 11's Beets are most likely American Idol season 2 winner and runner-up Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken. Beets' Broadway clue all but confirmed their identities. None of The Masked Singer season 11 panelists has guessed them correctly yet. The Masked Singer season 11 Group B's Beets have been a mystery since their debut, but one of their Girl Group clues all but confirmed their true identities. Beets first performed on The Wizard of Oz Night when they blew everyone away with their stunning rendition of "Home" by Michael Bublé. They then moved on to the next round, which was Girl Group Night, and sang "I'm So Excited" by The Pointer Sisters. The Masked Singer season 11 contestants Beets have now moved on to the Group B finals, which will be Soundtrack of My Life Night. The dynamic duo has impressed everyone with their incredible vocals, and they're definitely front-runners to win. The Masked Singer panelists--Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Ken Jeong, and Rita Ora--have guessed a wide range of celebrities for their identities, including Will Arnett and Jason Bateman, K-Ci & JoJo, Steve Martin and Martin Short, Brooks & Dunn, Tituss Burgess and Alan Cumming, and Donald Faison and Zach Braff. However, no one has guessed Beets' identity correctly yet. The Masked Singer Season 11’s Beets Are Most Likely Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken The Masked Singer season 11's Beets, the only contestant with more than one singer, are most likely American Idol season 2 winner and runner-up Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. Not only do Beets sound exactly like the superstar singers, but the clues are pointing in their direction. Ruben and Clay aren't only singing partners, but they're very close friends as well. The Broadway Clue That Confirmed Beets’ Identity As Ruben & Clay " We made our audience weak in the knees on Broadway." During The Masked Singer Girl Group Night, The Cheetah Girls' Raven-Symoné, who was The Masked Singer season 2's Black Widow, delivered a clue about Beets. Raven sang a girl group song that was a clue to Beets' true identity, which was "Weak" by SWV. Beets explained, "We made our audience weak in the knees on Broadway." Although there were many American Idol clues that hinted at Beets being Ruben and Clay, the Broadway clue sealed the deal. In 2018, Ruben and Clay starred on Broadway in Ruben & Clay's First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show. Clay also made his Broadway debut in Monty Python's Spamalot in 2008. This also explained the Christmas holly clue, which was a nod to Ruben and Clay's individual releases of Christmas music. The American Idol Clues That Confirmed Beets’ Identity As Ruben & Clay There were also several American Idol clues that proved that Ruben and Clay are Beets. During The Wizard of Oz Night, Beets revealed that, for a moment, they had 40 million eyes on them. They also talked about how, even when it felt as though the world was trying to pit them against each other, they always had each other's backs. They even referred to each other as "family." The Beet who seems to be Clay also said that he was "the total ladies man," which is most likely a nod to Clay's heartthrob status at the time, and his fans' nickname, the Claymates. In addition, Beets played cards in their Masked Singer clue package, with one Beet winning the game by placing a two of hearts card on the table. All of these clues point to the extraordinary American Idol season 2 finale in which Ruben and Clay competed against each other for the crown. During Girl Group Night, Beets also said that they didn't try to outdo each other, and instead they teamed up. Ruben and Clay recently performed together in a 2023 tour to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their American Idol run. The tour was called Twenty: The Tour, with Ruben and Clay performing all around the United States. Although Beets' true identities won't be confirmed until they're unmasked, their unmistakable vocals and the obvious clues have given away that they're actually Ruben and Clay. If Beets goes all the way on The Masked Singer season 11, it'll be heartwarming to see both of them win. Whatever happens, the Beets will surely go on in the competition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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