ARTIST

Ruben Studdard

Partway through the second American Idol in early 2003, guest judge Gladys Knight christened corpulent crooner Ruben Studdard "Velvet Teddy Bear," a nod to his smooth, Luther Vandross-styled voice and Barry White-sized girth. It was a nickname that stuck, since it captured the persona of the 25-year-old Birmingham, Alabama native who had unexpectedly become the frontrunner in the national televised talent show. Surrounded by skinny kids emulating Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, the two singers that walked away with the debut American Idol in 2002, Studdard stood out with his massive frame, winning smile, easygoing style, mellow voice, and trademark jerseys bearing 205, the area code of his hometown.

That hometown looms large in the background of Ruben. The son...
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