If Somebody Had to Beat Clay, I'm Glad it was Ruben

I am a die-hard Clay fan, but what is there not to love about Ruben Studdard? I can’t think of two nicer guys to win this competition. I have also liked Ruben since the competition began, and I can’t be too annoyed that he got the crown instead of Clay. How could I scowl in the sight of those dimples? Ruben has a very smooth voice and a shy, gentlemanly manner, both of which endeared him to me quickly. He and Clay will both go far.

Flying Without Wings is a nice track, coming off sounding inspirational with the backing of the choir, though their participation is much subtler than on Clay’s single. I think the producers did a better job with this song, allowing Ruben’s voice to shine at all times. Some of the lyrics sounds just a tad cheesy, but I can deal with that. It’s a sweet song, and Ruben delivers it beautifully. I am a bit perplexed as to why Ruben doesn’t get an original song on his single. It seems a little unfair for Clay to have a song written just for him while Ruben, the declared American Idol, has to settle for another cover. But he makes it work so I guess it doesn’t matter.

Superstar is the song with which Ruben secured his spot in the Top 12, as if there was any remaining doubt he would make it. He did such a soulful job that he managed to bump Clay, with his top-notch performance of Open Arms, into third place and temporarily out of the competition. He delivers a similarly enthusiastic performance on the single, and his velvet voice sails through the song.

Ruben is the official American Idol, though with a margin of .5 percent and an impractical voting system, they ought to have just called it a tie and been done with it. But Ruben deserves the accolades he has received. Congratulations to the Velvet Teddy Bear. American Idol may be a sometimes corny, sometimes decadent, sometimes inaccurate show – and don’t get me started on Ryan Seacrest – but it has brought to the forefront two tremendous young talents. For that, I am grateful.