Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken talk 'American Idol' memories and music ahead of Newark show

Season two of “American Idol” had a bevy of celebrity guests, including Gladys Knight, Lionel Richie and Olivia Newton-John.

Contestant Ruben Studdard played it cool each week — until Oprah showed up.

“Oprah came and did her show from our set that season,” said Clay Aiken, runner-up to Studdard, who won the season in 2003. “(Studdard) was running around (saying), ‘Oprah's here! Oprah's here!’ You would've thought Jesus himself had come back.”

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Aiken was impressed with an iconic songwriter.

“I knew who Diane Warren was because that woman had been nominated for an Oscar every single year of my life, it felt like,” Aiken said. “And getting to put that person with the name and understanding how she had written so many of the biggest hits of the ‘90s and ‘80s was pretty cool.”

Those are the types of stories audiences can expect from the singers during “Twenty: The Tour,” which stops at Newark’s Midland Theatre at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

What is the structure of Ruben and Clay’s concert?

The two singers and best friends will perform songs from their stint on the reality show, as well as other numbers.

“We're getting the opportunity to give people that personal touch that they wouldn't normally get from just a regular show,” Studdard said.

“We’re going to sing, talk, sit down and have moments where people can really get that behind-the-scenes aspect of what we went through 20 years ago. It was something that we'll never forget. ‘American Idol’ is like pledging a fraternity for a year. You have to sacrifice a lot, especially early on, because you don't get a dime.”

Studdard and Aiken said the show may mirror the structure of their “American Idol” season, which was organized into themed weeks, such as “movie soundtracks,” “disco” and “Billboard number ones.”

And compiling the list of songs was easy, Aiken added.

“We got in the room and we just started talking about 20 years ago and what (Studdard) remembered of Motown week and meeting (songwriter) Lamont Dozier,” he said. “And that conversation led us into certain songs.”

Aiken and Studdard also recalled how they were compared to singers Barry Manilow and Luther Vandross, respectively, during their season.

“That was a big part of the conversation,” Aiken said. “The whole show was built incredibly organically because we just let the conversation and the memories of being on the show become the path that leads us through the whole evening.”

Ruben and Clay have remained best friends since ‘American Idol’

Following “American Idol,” both singers went on to release No. 1, platinum-selling albums and achieve success on TV and in stage productions.

They consider each other close friends, even to the point of behaving like an “old married couple,” according to Aiken.

That was evident when the two men engaged in playful sparring when asked to name their favorite songs to hear each other sing.

“You have two minutes to look up some of my songs while I answer this one,” Aiken told Studdard.

“The reason why I hate this (question) is because Clay will pick this deep-dive track,” Studdard joked. “He'll be like, ‘Remember that song you did on the C-side of your record?’”

“And Ruben will say ‘Invisible,’” Aiken said, referencing his well-known Top 40 hit. “But I also will say ‘Flying Without Wings’ (the hit song Ruben sang on the 'American Idol' finale) always hits me — mostly because it reminds me of losing.”

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Beneath all the bickering, Aiken and Studdard have a strong bond.

“My daddy used to always say this to me when I was a kid: ‘Stop calling everybody your friend,’” Studdard said.

“It took me years to really understand what he meant by that. … You call people 'friend' by their actions, by the way that they treat you and the way that they go to bat for you and the way that they care. And as long as Clay and I have known each other, we have treated each other with respect. We fought like brothers and came back together the very same day. And we have always wanted the best for one another.”

Aiken said Studdard's support was helpful when he ran for Congress in North Carolina in 2014 and 2022.

“When I was stupid enough to get into the whole political arena, it's very difficult to get (entertainers) to support you and help you because they don't want to alienate part of their demographic,” Aiken said. “He's the one person who was right there supporting me throughout. He's always been there."

And the trust between the two men is what allows them to perform so well together onstage, Aiken said.

“I say that we're like family all the time and I absolutely feel that way,” he added. "You don't get to choose your family. … We didn't get to choose each other, God did.”

What is next for Ruben and Clay?

Studdard said he is working on a new album and finishing up his last semester teaching students about the music industry at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

But the Birmingham, Alabama, resident said his "big dream" is to have his own TV show.

"I mean a scripted, slapstick comedy kind of show," he said. "Maybe Tyler Perry can see me and (say), 'Let's give Ruben his "Uncle Ruben's House,"' so I can have a house full of delinquent kids."

Aiken, of Raleigh, North Carolina, said the tour is keeping him pretty busy.

"I tell you what I'm not gonna do is more politics," he added.

But he said he would like to extend the 'Ruben and Clay' show to Vegas.

"You can't do it, Ruben, because you'll be too busy doing your TV show," Aiken said.

"If Steve Harvey can do five television shows a day, I can do (both)," Studdard said.

At a glance

Ruben and Clay's “Twenty: The Tour” will stop at Newark’s Midland Theatre, 36 N. Park Place, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Tickets range from $49-$89. For more information, visit midlandtheatre.org or call 740-345-5483.

ethompson@dispatch.com

@miss_ethompson

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken discuss 'American Idol' before Newark visit