Ruben Studdard is an internationally acclaimed and highly sought-after American singer, songwriter, Broadway, and television actor. Studdard, though born in Frankfurt, Germany, proudly claims Birmingham, Alabama as his home. Prior to his rise to fame as the winner of the second season of one of the nation’s favorite singing competitions, American Idol, Ruben Studdard attended the Historically Black College/University (HBCU), Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University, where he completed coursework in Music Education. It was here, at his beloved alma mater, that Studdard joined the prestigious, international band fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America—a fraternity dedicated to "assisting in the fulfillment of its Object and ideals, either by adopting music as a profession or by working to advance the cause of music in America." Ruben’s commitment to the arts undoubtedly was the impetus for his alma mater to bestow upon him a Master of Arts degree, Honoris Causa.
Ruben Studdard won America’s heart when he was named the winner of American Idol in 2003. In this same year, on March 11, Alabama Governor Bob Riley declared the day as Ruben Studdard Day. Since 2003, Ruben Studdard has continued to carve out his place in the music industry, evidenced by his Grammy Award nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his recording of “Superstar.”
In the years following American Idol, Studdard released seven studio albums, including his platinum selling debut, Soulful, and the top-selling gospel follow-up, I Need an Angel. Though most known for his illustrious recording career, which has given the world hits such as “Flying Without Wings,” “Sorry 2004,” and “Change Me,” Studdard also effortlessly segued into television and the stage. Most notably, he starred as Fats Waller in a national tour revival of Ain’t Misbehavin’, which spawned a Grammy-nominated soundtrack.
In 2014, Studdard signed to Verve Records and collaborated with the label’s chairman, David Foster, on Ruben’s sixth studio album, Unconditional Love. The album received strong reviews as a return to form, and it included a multiple-city, long-awaited concert tour with Lalah Hathaway. In 2018, Studdard—who has long been compared to R&B singer Luther Vandross—released a cover album entitled Ruben Sings Luther, while simultaneously launching his Always & Forever national tour. His latest album, The Way I Remember It, is available on all streaming platforms now. Studdard’s tours render soulful performances, peppered with anecdotes that pay homage to his musical influences, his deep Southern heritage, and his innate ability to connect to his audience in intimate settings.
Additionally, Studdard supports The Ruben Studdard Foundation for the Advancement of Children in Music, which he founded in 2003 to provide children with unprecedented exposure to the arts via summer camp—a testament to his philanthropy. He asserts that an investment in the arts is an investment in one of our nation’s most sought-after resources: creativity. Studdard believes that where creativity and opportunity intersect, talent and collaboration are cultivated, and meaningful, sensory rich experiences are shared. Ruben Studdard comes from an extensive line of educators; therefore, it is the natural course of progression that he now shares his professional acumen at the collegiate level.