Off the Charts: Ruben Studdard

The rough side of the velvet teddy bear

By Newt Briggs

On last year's "American Idol," Clay Aiken may have been the cute one, but Ruben Studdard was adorable--kind of like a 360-pound teddy bear with interchangeable hip-hop outfits. Ironically, it's exactly this extra-large gear that has embroiled the chunky crooner in controversy. According to Alabama-based clothier 205 Flava, Studdard was paid to wear its jerseys on the show--a sponsorship expressly prohibited by the Fox network. Studdard countered by suing 205 Flava for unlawful exploitation of his name and likeness. The parties apparently resolved their dispute in December, although the only detail about the settlement was that 19 Entertainment (creator of the "American Idol" franchise) would retain full marketing rights over 205 Flava's products. Regardless of the outcome, the entire scenario--along with the dispute surrounding Studdard's close win over Aiken--has some wondering if Studdard's already gotten too big for his britches.

HANGING CHADS: Although "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest initially reported Studdard's margin of victory over Aiken as 13,000 and then 1,335 votes, the actual difference was 134,400 votes--or roughly six-tenths of a percent of the 24 million votes cast.

CONSPIRACY THEORY: After Studdard's "Idol" victory was announced, the FCC was flooded with thousands of letters contesting the results. One letter composed by "a chemical engineer" and posted at The Smoking Gun's website claimed to offer mathematical proof that the contest was rigged. The statistical conclusion: `American Idol' voting was at best incompetent, at worst fixed."

NUMBERS GAME: Although the Atlanta-Journal Constitution called Aiken's debut Measure of a Man "a soulless piece of studio hatchetry," it sold 613,000 copies in its first week--the second most for any debut solo artist in history. On the other hand, Studdard's debut Soulful only sold 416,000 in its opening week--enough to earn the top spot on the Billboard 200 but well short of Aiken's record total.

NUMBERS GAME 2.0: At www.gopetition.com, a petition that declares Ruben Studdard the one and only American Idol has been signed by 12 people. By comparison, the "Supporters of Clay Aiken" petition has been signed by 4,104 people. Unfortunately for Aiken's fans in Northern California, the "Bring Clay Aiken to Crescent City, California!" petition has not received a single signature.

DON'T HATE THE PLAYA: According to 205 Flava owners Willie and Frederick Jenkins, Studdard received a total of $10,000 for wearing their company's clothing. In order to avoid controversy, the checks were made out to Studdard's brother, Kevin, and his manager, Ron Edwards.

HATE THE GAME: For headlining last year's 39-city Pop-Tarts Presents American Idols Live Tour, Studdard received $5,000 per show.

SUPERSIZE IT: Studdard may balk at the thought of endorsing 205 Flava, but he makes no bones about his passion for Taco Bell beef chalupas, which he consumes nightly with potato chips.

PILLOW TALK: From "What Is Sexy": "What is sexy? Love's in the eye of the beholder/ Sex me, Baby we can get closer, freaky/ Up in the crib, Come on over, sex me."

SCHOOL TIES: Studdard--who attended but did not graduate from Alabama A&M--is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a music fraternity founded in 1898 at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Other famous Sinfonians include Duke Ellington, Burl Ives, Chuck Mangione, Luciano Pavarotti and John Phillip Sousa.

MIXED MESSAGE: After Studdard smiled on an episode of 2003's "American Idol," the ever-excitable Paula Abdul shouted, "That's the money shot! That's the money shot!"