In the two years since capturing the crown, Studdard has forged working relationships with Clive Davis, Missy Elliott, R. Kelly, and Fat Joe, to name a few. While the other Idols are still milking their second CDs for all they're worth, the Velvet Teddy Bear is hard at work on his third -- a return to his R&B roots, this time in collaboration with legendary gospel producer Marvin Winans (Destiny's Child and Mary J. Blige).
Ruben Studdard might owe his fame and fortune to American Idol, but he's never fit into the show's cookie-cutter image. As he begins to escape AI's shadow, the best may be yet to come.