Ruben & Clay: Celebrating 20 Years Of Friendship
It’s been 20 years since Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken both won over and divided our hearts on the American Idol Season Two Finale in 2003. After going head-to-head, Ruben Studdard was ultimately declared the winner of American Idol, but Clay was alongside his friend cheering him on, and has been ever since.
Even though Clay was not the winner, he has since seen great success to the same extent as Ruben, with both making the top 10 earners list of American Idol alumni. Combined, the two have sold more than eight million albums worldwide, starred together on Broadway, and have been nominated for GRAMMY Awards.
Ruben and Clay were both the young age of 24 when they made their mark on the hit TV show, allowing them to form an instant friendship that would end up lasting decades.
“We don’t get to choose our family. Most family is predetermined by blood; some are predestined by God to come into our lives. I’ve got one brother who was born into my family and one brother who the good Lord introduced me to in 2003” - Clay Aiken says of Ruben Studdard
During Ruben’s audition, he wowed judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson with his rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon in the Sky,” while Clay opted for “Always and Forever” by Heatwave. While Ruben soared through the season, Clay hit a snag during Hollywood Week, when he was not selected by the judges to advance. He was, however, given an opportunity to sing for survival in the wildcard round, in which the viewers got their votes. It’s safe to say they didn’t agree with the decision the judges had made.
The finale proved to be a nailbiter, dividing audiences like no other season. Coming within just 134,000 out of 24 million votes, the “Velvet Teddy Bear” Ruben Studdard was declared the winner of the second season, as crowds around America donned his signature “205” jersey, the area code of his hometown of Birmingham. But as we know, Ruben wasn’t the only one walking away with a record deal.
Continue on a trip down memory lane with the Idols themselves on September 29th at the Jack Singer Concert Hall with Arts Commons Presents. And just in case you happen to be Calgary’s biggest American Idol fan - we should mention there are VIP packages available, which includes a meet and greet! Get your tickets for the show now, here.
