Fans of the OG American Idol (with the Simon Cowell sneer, Randy Jackson’s famous “It’s gonna be a no from me, dawg” line, Paula Abdul’s overall intoxicated-appearing demeanor and paying 10 cents to text your vote in) will get to relive the excitement of the early aughts as Season 2's winner, Ruben Studdard, and runner-up, Clay Aiken, take the stage for their tour Twenty Years | One Night.
The tour will be stopping in Cincinnati Monday, Oct. 9 at Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine. Tickets, which run between $55-$85, are on sale now at memorialhallotr.com.
You can also purchase a VIP package that includes a special “Sound Check Party” that includes a song you’ll only hear there, an exclusive meet-and-greet photo op with Studdard and Aiken and merchandise.
What Have These Idol Stars Been Up To?
Since their Idol rise to fame, Studdard and Aiken have both found success in their music careers.
Studdard received a Grammy Award nomination in 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his song “Superstar.” Since appearing on American Idol, he’s released six studio albums, including the platinum-selling debut Soulful and the top-selling gospel follow-up I Need an Angel.
In 2008, Studdard starred as Fats Waller in a national tour revival of Ain’t Misbehavin', from which also came a Grammy-nominated soundtrack. He also toured with Robin Givens in the comedy-drama I Need a Hug.
Most recently, Studdard’s tribute album to Luther Vandross Ruben Sings Luther was re-released with a new song, and its North American concert tour is on its third run.
In 2019, Studdard teamed up with Aiken for the critically-acclaimed Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show on Broadway.
Aiken, meanwhile, became the first Idol contestant to have his first single debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, to have a single certified platinum and to have an album certified triple platinum.
In 2003, Aiken co-headlined the Independent Tour with fellow Idol alum Kelly Clarkson, and his first album, Measure of a Man, debuted at No. 1 with the highest first week sales by a debut artist. Following that, his 2004 album, Merry Christmas With Love, set a record as the fastest-selling holiday album of the SoundScan era and is tied for Billboard’s all-time highest charting holiday album debut. And in 2009, Aiken was critically lauded for his Broadway debut in Monty Python’s Spamalot.
Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. More info: www.rubenandclay.com.
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