Ruben Studdard

Six years ago, Ruben Studdard’s life changed in an instant and it’s been changing ever since. This year has brought about even more changes, with the release of Ruben’s fourth album, Love IS (Hickory Records/19 Recordings). Love IS, is helmed by two of the most successful producers in the business, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Since its release on May 19, Love IS has been celebrated for its collection of love songs. Vibe says “The "velvet teddy bear" can belt billowing love songs” and Entertainment Weekly called the album a "mix of crafty originals and sturdy covers".

Ruben Studdard was born Sept. 12, 1978, in Frankfurt, Germany, where his father was stationed in the United States Army. Ruben was nine months old when his mother brought him home to Birmingham. His musical talent was evident early in life: he was a three-year-old pre-schooler when he started singing at the Rising Star Baptist Church. As a member of the Cherub Choir, he sang a majority of the solo vocals, making his debut with “I’m Yours Lord.”

Everyone knows what happened next. Simon, Paula and Randy sent Ruben to Hollywood, where he advanced from a semi-final round into the top 12 and quickly became America’s favorite, surviving every elimination to win the title of “American Idol” in a dramatic finale on May 21, 2003.

Ruben’s impact on the charts was immediate. His single “Flying Without Wings” debuted at No. 2 on the Hot 100 while his version of “Superstar” peaked at No. 2 on the R&B chart. In December 2003, his first album, “Soulful,” had advance orders of over a million copies, automatically qualifying for platinum certification. The record entered The Billboard 200 at No. 1. A follow-up single, “Sorry 2004,” reached No. 9 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on the R&B chart.