If you ever plan to get married, start taking notes -- because former "American Idol" champ Ruben Studdard just went through the CLEANEST divorce ever ... all thanks to his ironclad prenup.

TMZ broke the story ... Ruben filed for divorce in November from his wife Surata Zuri McCants, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in January.

It got hairy at first -- Zuri tried to get the judge in their divorce case to nullify the prenup, claiming Ruben blindsided her with the documents just days before the wedding, unfairly pressuring her into signing them.

But the judge wasn't buying it -- upholding the prenup, and awarding Zuri close to ZILCH in the divorce.

According to the final judgment, Ruben was not ordered to pay ANY spousal support or alimony ... and he gets to keep their home plus all his belongings -- jewelry, pensions, royalties, clothing, and all his cash. It was even ordered Zuri return the engagement ring.

Meanwhile, Zuri gets next to nothing -- her wedding dress, her photo albums, a 2006 BMW (which Ruben will pay off), a 10k property settlement, 2k for attorneys fees ... oh yeah, and her maiden name.

The lesson -- don't sign a prenup ... unless you're loaded.

It's never a good sign when a singer has had more tax liens than platinum albums -- but that's the situation former "American Idol" champ Ruben Studdard has found himself in ... TMZ has learned. 

According to docs filed in Alabama, Studdard and his estranged wife Zuri owe $180,216.73 in federal taxes for the year 2009. 

Studdard is no stranger to tax problems in Alabama -- he had a property lien filed against him back in 2008 to the tune of nearly $200,000. 

Ruben filed for divorce from Zuri back in November. 

Calls to Studdard's reps were not returned.
 

"American Idol" champ Ruben Studdard has filed for divorce, TMZ has learned.

The Velvet Teddy Bear (who won Season 2 back in 2003) filed the papers in Alabama ... citing -- what else -- "irreconcilable differences."

Ruben and his wife Surata Zuri McCants tied the knot in 2008. They have no kids.

A rep for Studdard tells us, “Ruben and Zuri have gone their separate ways.”

Someone affiliated with "American Idol" finally thinks Paula Abdul deserves $10 million. Slight problem: It's only Ruben Studdard.


Studdard, who won season two, thinks Paula is "probably" worth it -- but as TMZ first reported, Abdul has been taking meetings with ABC head honcho Steve McPherson and could end up on "Ugly Betty" and a show with her name on it instead.

Keep in mind Ruben Studdard won "American Idol" when watching this video -- because when he turned the camera on our guy and asked him which of his songs was his favorite, our photog couldn't name a single one.


Kris Allen, consider this a warning.

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!


Sure gives Kris Allen and Adam Lambert a lot to look forward to.

For a guy who built his entire career on "American Idol," you'd think Ruben Studdard would at least pretend to still enjoy the show...

Big Rube and Clay were buds on "AI" -- but don't expect Mr. Studdard at Clay's baby shower, he wants nothin' to do with all the baby mama drama.

Clay Aiken's biggest rival -- other than a TMZ photog -- gave a perspiring performance in DC last night. How many towels does that guy need?

Fallen "Idol" Ruben Studdard can barely find a place to sing for his supper these days, and now he's suing a concert promoter called Peachez Inc., and he's asking for more than lunch money!

In a lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court, the "Idol" star wants $45,000 from Peachez, alleging breach of contract. The Dallas-based company describes itself as "a specialty marketing company" with clients in the "entertainment industry." We've called Ruben's lawyers and Peachez, but so far, we haven't gotten a response.

It's all going downhill for Ruben, who just got canned by his record label after his latest album tanked.

The "American Idol" graveyard -- aka Broadway -- has just inherited its latest crypt keeper -- Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard. Sorry!

Although abysmal record sales forced the plus-size 29-year-old schvitzing velvet teddybear to be dropped last month by his label, J Records, Ruben isn't performing at local balloon festivals or housing developments just yet. Studdard will hit the road this fall as part of the 30th anniversary of the national tour of Tony-award winning musical "Ain't Misbehavin'." The joint is jumpin'!

Joining Rube will be fellow "Idol" castoff Frenchie Davis, who previously spent over four years on the Great White Way in "Rent." At least for now, these two wannabeens will still be able to pay their rent!