Is ruben studdard gay
I don’t know what I was expecting when I got on the contact with Clay Aiken, but I was surprised to find him such a warm, affable person. He laughed at almost everything we spoke about with a true belly howl that was infectious. If you remember, Clay first gained popularity on the second season of “American Idol” where he wowed the judges and the rest of us with his soulful vocals. But I found there’s more to Aiken than that booming voice. He’s also a former special ed teacher, actor, politician, activist, and father. On April 28, which also happens to be my birthday, he and fellow “American Idol” veteran Ruben Studdard, aka the “Velvet Teddy Bear”, will be acting their “Twenty Tour” at Parx Casino. He took time out from the tour to have a word with me. You’ll have to imagine his charming, southern drawl.
I comprehend that you’re from Raleigh, North Carolina. Describe your neighborhood.
It was a adorable typical Southern subdivision. It was a very silent neighborhood, half acre lots where everybody’s house looked about the same. I know my friend Carrie and I had the exact same house, just different colors on the outside. I don’t deliberate kids really know their families f
Clay Aiken Reveals Covert ‘Affairs’ Between ‘American Idol’ Staff & Contestants
Touring the region together, “American Idol” alums Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken love reminiscing about their days together on the iconic show’s second season, which made them instant stars 20 years ago. In multiple interviews, they’ve talked about how close they and other contestants became through that experience.
But during an interview with The Washington Post on November 23, 2023, Aiken let it slip that for some, more than just friendships emerged. Aiken said multiple “affairs” took place behind the scenes between show staff and contestants — including himself.
Here’s what you need to know:
Clay Aiken Says ‘American Idol’ Staffer Became His First Boyfriend
A whopping 38 million people tuned into Fox for the 2003 finale in which Studdard was named the winner and Aiken was runner-up. As the 20th anniversary of their season approached, they decided to hit the route for a concert tour that’s proven so popular, they have to retain adding concert dates. They even performed on the season 21 finale of ̶
Clay Aiken Makes Surprise Confession to Ruben Studdard About 'American Idol' Journey (Exclusive)
Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken are taking a sweet stroll down memory path. Amid their nostalgic connected tour across the U.S. and Canada, the American Idol alums stopped by for a circular of ET's "Spilling the E-Tea," reminiscing about their time on the show's second season ahead of the 20th anniversary of their appearance.
The duo announced their current Twenty tour in December, with the journey taking them through stops in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta and more. The long-time friends will end their tour on May 16, right before their appearance on the American Idol season finale on May 21; marking the 20th anniversary since they stunned the country with their dynamic voices.
Studdard tells Aiken that his excitement for the tour "can't be put into words," sharing that he's elated about the opportunity to get support on the highway with his former reality TV competitior. "You're my brother. I wouldn't wish to be on tour with anybody else. Other than probably Janet Jackson," he adds.
Aiken reveals that his tourmate h
As he returns to music after a 12-year hiatus, Clay Aiken is looking back on his path to living as his true self.
A North Carolina native, Aiken rose to prominence on the second season of “American Idol” in 2003. Though he finished in second place behind Ruben Studdard, he nonetheless won widespread acclaim for his debut album, “Measure of a Man,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts.
Speaking to People in an interview published last week, however, Aiken recalled how that initial flush of success came to an abrupt halt when he came out as gay. He publicly addressed his sexuality in a People cover story published about a month after welcoming his son, Parker, in 2008.
“Back then it was a big deal,” he told People. “We are in a very different hour. I lost maybe 50 percent of the fan base.”
Aiken said he immediately noticed the impact by observing the ticket sales for “Spamalot,” the Broadway musical in which he was appearing at the time of his coming-out.
Vince Bucci via Getty Images
“The first four months that I was in, the display was selling out, standing room only. You can actually stare at the ticket sales the week after that cover came out,” he explain