J Inks ‘Idol’ Winner Studdard; Aiken Joins RCA
The Hollywood Reporter says ‘American Idol’ winner Ruben Studdard has signed to Clive Davis’ J Records, and runner-up Clay Aiken will join the first ‘Idol’ winner, Kelly Clarkson, on RCA Records, which Davis also oversees.
Ryan Accidentally Reveals Ruben’s Victory To Clay
May 22, 2003 - Contributed anonymously: Good Day Live featured interviews with the ‘American Idol’ finalists and judges on Thursday’s episode. Simon Cowell phoned in and revealed that Clay Aiken had inadvertently gotten a peak at Ryan Seacrest’s card that had the winner’s name written on it just minutes before Ruben Studdard was announced as the new American Idol.
Ruben And Clay Profiled On KTLA
May 21, 2003 - KTLA profiled tonight’s ‘American Idol’ finalists Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard. They report that ratings for the show in Ruben’s Alabama hometown are higher than they were for the Super Bowl. Video has since been removed.
‘American Idol’ Hair Guy Transforms Clay Aiken
May 21, 2003 - Extra TV’s Dean Banowetz moonlights as the ‘American Idol’ hair stylist and had this to say about Clay: “Since the beginning he’s had four different hair colors! I sat down with Clay. Number one, the ears were a little big. Not a problem, but we needed to grow the hair to cover them.” For the final touches, Clay got his teeth whitened and bonded. Video has since been removed.
Backstage With Ruben And Clay At Universal Studios
May 21, 2003 - Entertainment Tonight was backstage with ‘American Idol’ finalists Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken last night. Both men claim there is no competition between them, and the one thing they do before each and every performance is pray. “I don’t believe in luck,” Ruben says. “I think that God gives certain people favor, and Clay and I are just very fortunate.” Video has since been removed.
Vegas Odds On Ruben Studdard Vs. Clay Aiken
May 20, 2003 - Johnny Avello, the director of race and sports book operations for Bally’s/Paris Las Vegas, tells the Las Vegas Sun he likes Ruben Studdard over Clay Aiken in this week’s ‘American Idol’ final. Aiken is listed at even, after opening at 4-to-1. Studdard also opened at 4-to-1, and has become a 4-to-5 favorite. “I had Ruben and Clay as the favorites when there were still 12 people on the show,” Avello said Monday. “From the beginning they were head-and-shoulders better than the rest.”
‘American Idol’ Finalists Are TV’s New Odd Couple
May 17, 2003 - Zap2it.com spoke with ‘American Idol’ finalists Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard. Despite what is on the line for the two, they downplay any suggestion of pressure surrounding Wednesday’s finale. “I don’t feel like I’m going up against Ruben,” Clay says. “He and I have been close for a long time and I don’t feel like really at this point it’s a competition about who’s better. We’re both here because we’ve proven, to some extent, that we’re good at what we do.” The full story at zap2it.com has since been removed.
