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5/19/2009 5:30 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
'Idol' Winner Treated Like a Real Loser

In 2003 Ruben Studdard was crowned "American Idol" -- but six years later the Velvet Teddybear says the show that made millions off him and many other wannabeens wouldn't even fork over a few bones for his flight to the finale!

Ruben Studdard: Click to watch
Sure gives Kris Allen and Adam Lambert a lot to look forward to.

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Reader Comments

(Page 1 of 3) | 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments
1.

toofastforyou!:  1000 days ago

FIRST AGAIN SUCKERS!!!

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2.

Rapper:  1000 days ago

Maybe if they had the talent to make a few bucks they wouldnt be looking for hand-outs!

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3.

south:  1000 days ago

American Idol doesn't owe him anything. They gave him a career. He is definitely a big boy; he can pay his own way now.

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4.

Chucky:  1000 days ago

Pay your own dam way. You are a 6 year before Idol winner. I don't work for the company that I did 6 YEARS AGO. I don't expect them to pay my gas money to go to my current job.

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5.

Me:  1000 days ago

So your doofus pap pronounces it Adam Lam-BEAR and asks Studdard if HE knows who that is?

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6.

justme09:  1000 days ago

many wanna be's runner up or top 10 singers,doesn't really have a major recording career or get really famous for anything else in the entertainment business..after idol goes off air your on your own.... idol produces great singers and hype and ratings but no real stars.. hello welcome to the real world... cut throat buisness...80% looks 20% talent and record label ...

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7.

Whocares:  1000 days ago

Ruben, if you actually did anything with your career, they'd probably pay for you to be there - oh that's right, they did fly your fat ass out to sing on stage - or rather sweat profusely - what a joke you are. Get over it has-been.

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8.

TimP:  1000 days ago

If he was concerned with air fare he should of made it part of his contract. Reuben was the first to commit gospel suicide. Only a few people know what he is even doing now. My guess that the reason he wants to show up is he wants to release a straight pop album. Thus he is the one who gains most. I don't think Carrie flies commercial.

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9.

kellyschester:  1000 days ago

Saw Ruben in a traveling production of Aint Misbehavin here in Syracuse, New York last week. He was really great in the show!!

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10.

Kat:  1000 days ago

The Lambert last name would be pronounced Lam-Bear if it were the French form of the last name. Of course, this is America and we say Lam-bert. It is of English and French origin according to Ancestry.com.

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11.

TMZ hits a new low:  1000 days ago

Not all Idols are created equal, apparently. If you compare Ruben to other idols and most definitely compared to Adam or Chris, he's not all that anymore. Frankly, I am not sure how Clay didn't win, the FAR superior singer. Six years is a long time. AI doesn't need Ruben or even need recent winner David Cook. My guess is that all former winners always need AI *a little bit more* than AI needs them. Except for Carrie Underwood for some reason. Just another country singer!

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12.

Al:  1000 days ago

Ruben, pick up the phone - it's Biggest Loser calling!

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13.

The REAL DEAL:  1000 days ago

Just another Obama Supporter looking for a hand-out from America (n Idol). Look for more and more of this as the expected reward for electing a socialist president - THANKS everyone for voting for Obama based on his skin color without having any clue on what he stood for or what the consequences would be. Jesus taught the people to fish - Obama Jesus is just giving out the fish and Ruben is first in line.

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14.

R.J. Johnson:  1000 days ago

Reuben, you made a whole lot of money, too! And became famous. Give us a break, dude.

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15.

Cleveland-West_Side:  1000 days ago

This aint nothing, after wrapping up 'National Lampoon's Van Wilder,' Artisan Entertainment would only pay for half my Greyhound fare.

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