Ruben Studdard
| Ruben Studdard | |
|---|---|
Studdard in The American Idol Experience motorcade at Walt Disney World.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Christopher Ruben Studdard |
| Born |
September 12, 1978 Frankfurt am Main, West Germany |
| Origin |
Birmingham, Alabama United States |
| Genres | Pop, R&B, gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actor |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels |
19 (2003–present) J (2003–2007) Hickory (2008–2010) Shanachie (2011–2013) Verve (2013–Present) |
Christopher Ruben Studdard (born September 12, 1978), is an American R&B, pop and gospel singer. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol and received a Grammy Award nomination in December 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Superstar". In the years following Idol, Studdard has released six studio albums, including his platinum-selling debut, Soulful, and the top-selling gospel follow-up, I Need an Angel. He is most well known for his recording career, which has produced hits including "Flying Without Wings", "Sorry 2004", and "Change Me", but he has also segued into television and stage work. Most notably, he toured with Robin Givens in the comedy-drama I Need a Hug and in 2008 starred as Fats Waller in a national tour revival of Ain't Misbehavin', which spawned a Grammy-nominated soundtrack.
Studdard most recently appeared on the fifteenth season of The Biggest Loser. He is signed to Verve Records and released his newest album, Unconditional Love, on February 4, 2014.
Studdard was born in Frankfurt, Germany, to American parents, while his father was stationed there with the U.S. Army, and grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. The youngest son of two teachers, at the age of three, he sang for the first time at the Rising Star Baptist Church in his hometown of Birmingham. He continued singing gospel in church, performing solos as a child while his mother sang in the local choir. While at Huffman High School, he played football for which he received a scholarship to Alabama A&M University. While at Alabama A&M he joined the Omicron Delta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the men's music fraternity of America.
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