Good Behavior

American Idol Ruben Studdard gets rowdy.

by A.D. Amorosi

When Ruben Studdard becomes Fats Waller during this week's revival of Ain't Misbehavin', his rowdy take on the humorous stride pianist/singer/composer should strip Studdard of his Velvet Teddy Bear tag. As the big-man winner of 2003's American Idol, Studdard had the air of soul's most amiable gentleman. But singing as the Harlem Renaissance's bawdiest persona — along with fellow AI alums Trenyce and Frenchie Davis — is just one part of a Ruben revival. He is currently in a video for gospel singer Deitrick Haddon's "Love Him Like I Do" (Studdard is no stranger to gospel; his best album to date is the holy-rolling I Need an Angel) and he's preparing the next Studdard soul classic for release on May 10, 2009 (aka Mom's Day). He signed with Sony's Hickory Records, is being produced by the label's owners, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and has already finished a cover duet of Bryan Adams' "Heaven" with Philly's Boyz II Men. Fuck Simon Cowell. Here's Ruuuuuuben, who called me while playing with his new puppy, Jazz.

City Paper: When you took on the role of Fats, what was the first thing you had to learn outside of his music? 

Ruben Studdard: Since the songs come so easy to people who can sing, I had to key into his personality. All of his characteristics were so much more vibrant than mine. I had to get his facial expressions. I had to portray the way he interprets music, know what I mean? Becoming him was hard. I don't do impersonations, but I can do him now [laughs].

CP: So much more vibrant, really? You seem like a convivial chap.

RS: I'm a pretty vibrant person. But if you ever watched Fats on camera, he's always alive. That's the difference between performers today and back then. To me Frank Sinatra is more vibrant than Josh Groban is on camera. 

CP: When the producers brought on Frenchie Davis and Trenyce, were you cool with that? I'm wondering if you'd rather move on from the whole AI thing. I'm certain you're proud, but ...

RS: I signed on to do this play two years ago. I'm totally cool. AI is the biggest music show of all time. To be associated with that is a blessing and an honor. It's a shame when people think otherwise.

CP: My point is you have this whole career other than Idol — Misbehavin', a new record for Jam and Lewis. AI is solid. But as Kelly Clarkson's inferred, there is that notion of been-there-done-that.

RS: It's like me being from Birmingham, Ala. I take that everywhere I go. Made me who I am. I prepared myself for all situations — I went to school as a music education major from age 10 to 22. Audiences don't know that because AI's the first time you're seeing us. My preparation made me. The show introduced me to the world — gave me opportunity. I'm grateful to God that I got the opportunity to show that preparation. People can see that Ruben put his time in.

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CP: Was the rush of fame what you thought it would be?

RS: It was more than I expected. I always wanted to be able to sing for a living. But this is famous on steroids.

CP: You doing another gospel album eventually?

RS: That’s funny. That was more Clive's [label great Davis] idea than mine. I wanted to do a Christmas album and he said to me, "You grew up in the church. Let's do a gospel record." He was right. That album reached back to a section of my fans who knew me before the show. I used to be in a Christian group called God's Gift. Even the groups I idolize remembered me from that group so that when I did the album, they got it.

CP: I saw Ain't Misbehavin' years ago. Five people, all playing different sides of Fats’ personality. I know AI works everyone's ass off. Is this harder?

RS: Oh yeah, man. Getting used to performing like this — "Honeysuckle Rose" in particular — eight to nine times a week? I'd much rather be chilling out. But who wouldn't?

Ain't Misbehavin' | Fri., Jan. 9, 8 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 10, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 11, 1 and 6:30 p.m.; $28-$100, Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org