“American Idol” season 2 winner Ruben Studdard took fans by storm during his reign in the hit competition series in 2003.
Now, more than two decades later, the Grammy Award nominee is captivating fans again—this time for his incredible transformation.
Ruben Studdard Today
“Bewitched” star Erin Murphy shared a selfie with Studdard via social media on Wednesday, August 19. Fans were quick to take note of the singer’s slimmed down look.
“Heading to the Boys & Girl’s Club with American Idol winner Ruben Studdard! ❤️” Murphy captioned the post. “We had the best conversation. His favorite ‘Bewitched’ character is Endora. Great American Road Rally, coming to the CW Network this fall.”
“I thought I recognized him the velvet teddy bear,” one fan commented.
“He’s lost weight! Good for him,” another wrote.
“Ruben Studdard?? Where’s the rest of him?” a third fan teased.
A decade after his run on the singing show, Studdard joined another reality competition series: “The Biggest Loser.”
At the beginning of his journey in 2013, Studdard weighed in at 462 pounds. Throughout his time on the weight-loss series, the “Superstar” artist dropped 120 pounds.
“I (did) this for me; this was for my life,” he told Today after the season finale. “I’m so excited I got to take the time and do this. It was something I could do for me, and nobody else. This show has given me a second chance to live the best life I can live. I am going to be the healthiest Ruben Studdard I can be.”
Studdard — who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes — added, “I’ve been working out every day and have really made a positive change in my life. I got some shocking news this season when I found out I was type 2 diabetic, so I’ve been working hard every day to change that.”
In the recent snap, Studdard wore a purple tee repping the charitable organization, dark sunglasses and a flashy watch. He threw up the peace sign and a smile as Murphy snapped the selfie.
Studdard’s most recent appearance, at Peabo Bryson’s memorial service in June, he was praised for his vocals during a rendition of Donnie Hathaway’s “Someday We’ll All Be Free.”
‘Great American Road Rally’
Murphy also noted that another “American Idol” winner, Taylor Hicks, was hanging out in the back seat when she snapped the photo with Studdard.
Murphy, Studdard and Hicks are joining forces for the upcoming season of “Great American Road Rally: Celebrity Edition.”
According to its description, the series, hosted by “Beverly Hill, 90210” star Ian Ziering, “follows ten celebrity-driven vehicles, each aligned with a charitable cause, embarking on a cross-country journey along Route 66 to raise awareness, drive fund-raising, and activate local communities.”
The series is a celebration of the iconic interstate highway’s 100th anniversary and the 250th Anniversary of the United States.
“The Great American Road Rally™ was created to celebrate the American spirit, the open road, the legacy of Route 66, and the power of entertainment to bring people together for something meaningful,” Ziering said in July. “It’s so much more than a road-trip series, it is a national celebration of community, generosity, American culture, and the charitable spirit that connects us all.”
Premiering September 2 on the CW, viewers will be introduced to new celebrity participants each week as they travel from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, on the iconic highway.
