American Express gave $500,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of America, which is based in Atlanta, and brought Ruben Studdard to a press event at the Georgia Aquarium. I took a few photos, including him below being interviewed by “Good Day Atlanta” co-host Suchita Vadlamani. (And make sure if you meet her to say Su-CHEE-tha, not Su-GEE-TAH as I mistakenly did.)
Studdard, a former Boys & Girls Club member who was placed in the organization’s hall of fame last year, drove in from Birmingham for this event alone because he has to be in Mississippi tomorrow for a concert.
“The Boys and Girls club asked if I could speak to the kids. It’s something that has special meaning for me. I’m a product of Boys & Girls Club. It’s cool. I get to see some beluga whales, too!”
Ruben looks good. He isn’t svelte by any means but he’s about the thinnest I’ve ever seen him. He naturally goofed around well with the kids who were at the press event. (See below)
He told me he’s thinking of doing a duet with Jordin Sparks for his fourth CD, which he plans to start working on next month once touring for his current CD is over. “I know it will be all live instrumentation but I don’t know particularly what the overall flavor will be,” he said of the fourth album. He is happy with how his CD came out but was disappointed with the sales figures.
Ruben also thought what happened to Kelly Clarkson was “whack,” that she shouldn’t have gotten slapped around for trying to convey her vision. “I think it was all blown out of proportion. I think it’s always the artist’s fault when they step out on their own and do something they want to do. I will say this: we can’t release an album without a record company. She couldn’t put it out by herself. If they didn’t like it, they shouldn’t have put it out. I love her new single. I think her new video is hot. I think everything she touches is gold.”
Ruben is planning a big man’s clothing line called Royal Structure. “I’m getting a sponsored by an apparel company I can’t name,” he said. “We’re going to the Magic [trade] show next month. We’re hoping we get it in all the Federated Stores. You know, Macy’s.”
What’s on his iPod right now? “Amy Winehouse. That’s my favorite CD right now. Jamie Cullum. Carl Thomas’ new album. Those are my three favorites right now.”
(66) Comments
Posted by: on July 30, 2007 1:59PM EST
First, ok I know its slow, but this still counts.....
Posted by: on July 30, 2007 2:00PM EST
I know they lost one of the whales, is that why Ruben is there? lol
I think Ruben and Jordin would sound pretty good together. It would be cool if they would mix & match more AIs. Taylor & Kelly C. might be a pretty good mix.
Posted by: on July 30, 2007 2:02PM EST
Rodney, I watch Suchita everyday on Good Day Atlanta, I have her name perfectly.. lol
Posted by: on July 30, 2007 2:03PM EST
Hey Jex, Kelly C would bury Taylor, she is so powerful. JMO.
MV? Who??? :) He spoke on V-103 today, an exclusive with Porsche Foxx. We have a story up on ajc.com about it. Ruben is such a sweet guy, truly genuinely so. Of the other winners, Taylor is all business. Fantasia was a bit distracted the one time I ever met her so it's hard for me to judge her persona in person. I have never actually spoken to Kelly or Carrie and I've only done mass phone interviews with other press (one question and one followup only) with Jordin. Hopefully when Jordin comes here in September, I can talk to her for a few minutes.
Posted by: on July 30, 2007 2:21PM EST
They were just saying how it is still a happening place, but flying under the radar, because not too many people know they are still open. Rodney, what was Fantasia's distraction? You gotta wave some porkchops in front of her face to keep her attention... lol
Posted by: on July 30, 2007 2:26PM EST
Porsche just got out the skillet, now she is playing Oprah? GMAB
She was doing a promo for Macy's back in late 2003 and I had maybe three minutes with her but I could tell her brain wasn't really into talking to me. I didn't put it against her because she was being pushed and pulled in five different directions at once. Her performance in the young ladies' dept. in Macy's at Lenox was a sight to behold. They had this pathetic little sound system and she blew it out of the water. She actually got teary-eyed! Every time I've heard Fantasia live, I've left blown away.
Posted by: on July 30, 2007 2:36PM EST
I would love to see her, especially on Broadway. When I was in NY the last part of May, i was suppose to go, but Tix were sooo expensive. Rodney I believe we were their the same time, remember when Daughtry performed, I was out in Westchester CO, and couldnt make it to the city, I did finally go to city Island, they had great seafood.
Seriously, Ruben looks very good in your pictures, Rodney....he seems like a decent sort of guy as well. I hope his career picks up a little. I think his health was holding him back more than anything else.
Posted by: Sportsmommy on July 30, 2007 2:42PM EST
I love Ruben. I thing he's great. How lucky for you to have met him.
Posted by: on July 30, 2007 2:44PM EST
D, i know, i couldnt help it. I am happy he is able to do his thing out there. He really is one of the good guys in the entertainment biz.
Posted by: on July 30, 2007 2:45PM EST
Hey all!
I'm sure Ruben is very sweet. I heard Jexy, that your man is not nice to fans and the help. I read that over the weekend that Taylor and his arm candy were at a hotel and they were "icy"....of course, i wasn't there that's only what i read.
Hi everyone. Hey Kimmy, you D and OTS are confusing me with these avatars that look alike from a distance. I'm always wrong on who I think is posting.
Hey Shaun, Fantasia's cd is pretty good, but you're right the next one may be right on point. She actually has a remix of "When I See You" with Young Jeezy, I like it and I'm sure it was done to promote more interest from the hip/hop crowd.
Posted by: on July 30, 2007 3:22PM EST
'sup Eve? Sorry 'bout the confusion....how's this?
kimmy? What the heck is that. I thought it was a Georgia O'keefe original, but after a closer look, I don't know what it is. O'keefe with an infection?
For those of you still here, ther is a special on ABC tonight with Martina McBride. It will be a talent search. It is on tonight. No weekly competitons.
I saw an hour of Martina ~ I had to see Hell's Kitchen first, so I missed exactly how they got to the recording studio with Martina, but I thought it was good. The youth minister reminded me of Jeff Johnson from season 3 or 4 of AI. (I'd be surprised if anyone remembered him as he didn't make the top 24.)
I liked the way the show was done. I did not agree with the choice of winner though. For those of you who did not watch, it was based on the premis that everyone is connected by 6 degrees. They chose 6 people from very small towns. They had to make their way to Martina McBride by using 6 or less connections.
All 6 made it and then go to compete in a live talent contest. The audience voted and the top 3 went into the studio and recorded a song. This song was played for the 3 judges and they selected the winner.
Sorry, I missed Martina last night but I taped it so, I'll probably watch sometime this weekend to take a break from scraping wallpaper off my bathroom walls. I HATE scraping wallpaper...will somebody please remind me, the next time a get the wallpaper bug, NOT to do it!
Posted by: flat screen on July 31, 2007 8:53AM EST
Grace! I missed you...good morning and to you too KPH! Mom wants to go shopping today...a VERY slow process! Not sure when we'll be leaving...y'all know how she is about going somewhere in a timely fashion. :-)
We're in the midsummer doldrums...not much Idol news going on....many regulars are on vacation or taking a break...shay's studying! Everything will slow down now until about November when the anticipation of a new season starts to make us all talkative again. In the meantime, Rodney will keep posting and we'll keep popping in to comment on his post. Unless something big happens...there's not much to talk about.
Posted by: flat screen on July 31, 2007 10:15AM EST
I heard Shockley was going to get a good hard look at being the Falcons QB.....that would be awesome...I dont think Vick will be playing football in Atlanta agian...Shockley being the hometown boy and a product o UGA....would be nice fit!
Posted by: on July 31, 2007 10:16AM EST
good morning!
slow again huh?...*sigh* did ya'll hear the funny story about faith hill and a fan at their (tim mcgraw's and faith hill's) concert? funny stuff:)
