Christopher Ruben Studdard (born September 12, 1978), best known as Ruben Studdard, is an American R&B, pop, and gospel singer. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol and received a Grammy Award nomination in December 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Superstar." In the years following Idol, Studdard has released five studio albums, including his platinum-selling debut, Soulful and the top-selling gospel follow-up, I Need an Angel. He is most well known for his recording career, which has produced hits including "Flying Without Wings," "Sorry 2004" and "Change Me," but he has also segued into television and stage work. Most notably, he toured with Robin Givens in the comedy-drama Heaven I Need a Hug and in 2008 starred as Fats Waller in a national tour revival of Ain't Misbehavin'., which spawned a Grammy-nominated soundtrack.

Studdard most recently appeared on the fifteenth season of The Biggest Loser. He is signed to Verve Records and released his newest album, "Unconditional Love," on February 4, 2014.