Ruben Studdard

Clay Aiken: Ruben Studdard's New Wife Is "One Lucky Lady"

Lindsay Powers — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:42:19 -0400

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He tells <b>Us</b> his <i>Idol</i> pal has "such a great heart"

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Clay Aiken is sending well-wishes to American Idol competitor Ruben Studdard, who got married Saturday.

"Ruben is one of the most wonderful guys I have ever known," Aiken, 29, tells Usmagazine.com. "He has such a great heart.

"Zuri is one lucky lady," Aiken adds. "I'm thrilled for both of them as they start this great chapter in their lives."

Studdard, 29, tied the knot with Surata Zuri McCants, 30, in front of 300 guests at the Canterbury United Methodist Church in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, Saturday.

The Idol season two winner — dubbed the Velvet Teddy Bear by fans — met McCants, a flight attendant, at a CD signing at a Wal-Mart in Atlanta, Georgia in October 2006.

"I was signing copies of my CD and she came in to get one signed for her friend who couldn't get off from work," he told the Birmingham News. "We started talking, and she was telling me about her friend. But I just looked at her and thought, 'She is so beautiful.'"

Studdard tracked McCants down in the toy department and asked for her phone number.

"We developed a friendship, and about two months later we started dating," Studdard told the paper.

(See pics of Us' best celebrity weddings.)

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June 1, 2003

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Idol Ruben Studdard Says "I Do"

Rachel Paula Abrahamson — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:07:33 -0400

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He tied the knot with Surata Zuri McCants in Alabama Saturday

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American Idol season 2 champ Ruben Studdard wed his girlfriend Surata Zuri McCants Saturday at noon in Alabama, the Birmingham News reported.

The pair exchanged vows in front of over 300 guests at the Canterbury United Methodist Church in his hometown of Birmingham.

The bride, 30, wore a white and ivory Casablanca gown, while Studdard, 29, sported a black tuxedo, white vest, and a white hand tied bow tie, the Birmingham News reported.

The wedding party also wore black and white.

Studdard met the flight attendant at a CD signing at a Wal-Mart in Atlanta, Georgia in October 2006.

Studdard tracked McCants down in the toy department and asked for her phone number.

"We developed a friendship, and about two months later we started dating," Studdard told the Birmingham News.

The couple obtained a marriage license on Monday at the Shelby County Probate Office in Birmingham, Alabama.

(See pics of Us' best celebrity weddings.)

Studdard, who is nicknamed the "Velvet Teddy Bear" for his silky voice and cuddly frame, will release a new album later this year.

See where your other Idol faves are now.

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Ruben Studdard and Surata Zuri arrive at the American Idol Season 7 Grand Finale on May 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

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American Idol's Ruben Studdard Engaged

Rachel Paula Abrahamson — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:27:12 -0400

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The season 2 champion obtained a marriage license Monday

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America Idol champ Ruben Studdard is engaged to his girlfriend Surata Zuri McCants, 30, his rep confirmed to Usmagazine.com on Monday.

The pair obtained a marriage license at the Shelby County Probate Office in Birmingham Alabama on Monday.

An Alabama marriage license is valid for 30 days.

Studdard, 29, isn't the only Idol season 2 alum with big news.

Clay Aiken is expecting a child with his producer Jaymes Foster.

The baby is due on August.

(See where your other favorite Idols are now. )

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Ruben Studdard and Surata Zuri McCants arrive at the American Idol Season 7 Grand Finale held at the Nokia Theatre on May 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

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Kimberley Locke and Idol Friends Share Clothes Off Their Back

Allison Corneau — Mon, 21 May 2007 16:13:47 -0400

Ruben Studdard: Why I Became a Vegetarian

jhwang — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 11:19:23 -0500

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Former American Idol star, Ruben Studdard, 28, has always been open about his weight problems -- and his success in shedding over a 100 lbs earlier this year by making extreme changes to his diet and exercise regimen. In an interview with PETA vice-president, Dan Matthews, the singer talks about the spiritual side of being a vegetarian, getting regular colonics, and how his new lifestyle is effecting his band.

Why He Became a Vegetarian:
"I actually came home, and there was a little brochure in my hometown paper -- I ain't never told nobody this -- but it was a thing about cleaning up your temple. I think it was like a Seventh Day Adventist magazine, and they were talking about 'try vegetarian.' I went online that day, and I just started reading little things from different vegetarians, and it was so much easier than I thought it would be, so I decided to try it."

His Favorite Veggie Snacks:
"My favorite dish is from PF Chang's -- the Buddha's Feast. It's hands-down my favorite dish. And the tofu lettuce wraps. McDonald's has a veggie burger now. It's not as good as Burger King. Burger King's veggie burger is off the chain."

His Colonic Guru:
"They [medical experts] talk about all the colon problems, blah blah. And I've had a hydro-colonic before, so the lady that does that for us, she eats only raw vegetables-like she won't anything but raw vegetables. And of course every time we'd go, she'd be like 'try this' and 'stop this,' but of course we weren't paying any attention -- -but now of course we do!"

How His Diet Has Changed His Bandmates:
"My band, they all complain about my rider requirements for only veggie stuff backstage, but they're learning too, like I did. There's always a better way to live if you're open to it."

Talk to Us: Could you be a vegetarian?

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Studdard at the AMA in 2003, above, and in concert at the Apollo Theater in 2006.

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Ruben Studdard

Clay Aiken: Ruben Studdard's New Wife Is "One Lucky Lady"

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