MSNBC Looks Back At American Idol 2

MSNBC posted this article this morning about where the competitors from the second season of AI now are. They praise Clay saying "Ruben won, but Clay went on to massive success." The author of this article also wrote a very positive article about the Jukebox tour this past August (Audience is clay in Aiken's Hand, Aug. 9)

'Idol' season two: Where are they now?

Ruben won, but Clay went on to massive success

Ruben Studdard was named the "American Idol" of season two, but Clay Aiken has gone on to much greater fame.

COMMENTARY
By Andy Dehnart
MSNBC
Updated: 11:20 a.m. ET Dec. 26, 2005

After weeks of drama, including two people being disqualified in the middle of the competition, the second season of "American Idol" ended with even more drama. Ryan Seacrest and/or the producers might have massively screwed up by announcing different vote totals during the live finale, but ultimately, Ruben Studdard won "American Idol 2," beating the runner-up by about 130,000 votes.

Clay Aiken was the runner-up. But you'd never know he didn't win, at least based upon the two performers' album sales and, more significantly, fan base. Clay Aiken has perhaps the most obsessive and devoted fans in the entire "Idol" universe. Clay's first single went platinum and debuted at number one, and he's released two albums, including a Christmas album last year; it debuted at number four, while his debut album debuted at number one. Clay is currently on his fourth solo tour, his second this year -- and that's in addition to leading the Bubel/Aiken Foundation and serving as a UNICEF ambassador.

Ruben, the only male to ever win "American Idol," released two records following his win. They performed quite well -- he beat Kelly Clarkson's first-week sales -- but Clay's album still sold better. Ruben's second record, "I Need an Angel," was a gospel album that topped the gospel charts and went gold. Since then, he's remained relatively out of the spotlight; his Web site lists no current tours or appearances. Last spring, Ruben was in the news after he sued his manager for stealing money from him; later, his manager (who's also his godfather), countersued.