Photo: Ruben & Clay | By Théoden Janes, Yahoo | Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, who were 24 years old when they became two of “American Idol’s” biggest stars, are starting to sound an awful lot like a couple of old men. Or, at least, like a couple of middle-age men. It escalated quickly:
As they settle onto a Zoom call — for an interview to promote their 20th-anniversary reunion concert tour, which stops in Cary on April 29 and Charlotte on May 4 — Aiken mentions that Studdard is squeezing this in between music courses he teaches at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where the former “Idol” champ is a full-time faculty member.
So, one naturally has to ask Studdard if his students are aware that he won the show back in 2003, when it was the most-watched show on television in Amer —
“They have absolutely no idea who I was. No,” says the now-44-year-old Studdard, cutting off the questioner.
“They weren’t born, were they?” chimes Aiken, also 44, who was Season 2’s runner-up. “Maybe.”
“They were not born,” Studdard continues, shaking his head and closing his eyes. “I have one student who is an older gentleman in my class, and he’s the only person that knows about ‘American Idol.’ He’s a veteran, so he started school late. But the rest of them have absolutely no idea. They couldn’t care less.”
Then, he adds, as a smile blooms on his face: “I actually did a lesson one day on the show, so that they could understand who I was.”
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When and where: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at Koka Booth Amphitheatre (8003 Regency Pkwy.) in Cary and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at Knight Theater (430 S. Tryon St.) in Charlotte.
Tickets: Starting at $35.50 for the Cary show, and $24.50 and up in Charlotte.
More details: http://www.rubenandclay.com.
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Go here to read the full interview with Ruben and Clay:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/why-clay-aiken-done-politics-145112014.html
Photo: Ruben & Clay
https://www.facebook.com/clayaiken/
Why Clay Aiken is Done With Politics But Can’t Quit Touring With ‘Idol’ Pal Ruben Studdard
