Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken on ‘The Masked Singer’ Beets, ‘American Idol’ legacy and dream duets [Exclusive Video Interview]

“I wasn’t competing for my life,” says Grammy-nominated singer Ruben Studdard when comparing his recent appearance on “The Masked Singer” to winning “American Idol” in 2003. “The stakes were much higher for me on ‘American Idol’ than they will ever be on ‘The Masked Singer.’ I wanted to win, but it’s just completely different.” Studdard competed on the FOX reality TV competition with his pal Clay Aiken as Beets, who adds, “‘The Masked Singer’ pays so much better.” Watch their exclusive video interview with Gold Derby senior editor Denton Davidson above.

The duo lost the Group B finals to Gumball, and were sent home after belting out “One Moment in Time” by Whitney Houston. “I am not competitive at all,” Clay admits when asked if he was upset. “I have gotten so good at losing shows that if I had won I would probably be more upset because it would ruin my reputation. Neither one of us was upset, I think Ruben is a really competitive guy so he wants to win checkers, he doesn’t care.”

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It’s hard to believe it’s been over 20 years since they both captured the nation’s hearts in Season 2 of “American Idol.” They were launched into instant superstardom, won numerous awards and sold millions of records. It was a success we don’t often see with current reality TV show winners. “People don’t really have the physical connection to the musicians that they like,” Ruben explains. “Everything is digital. In the first couple seasons of ‘American Idol,’ these people had tangible things to hold onto with those contestants. With streaming, it takes away from how dedicated the fanship is outside of the show.”

Clay adds, “In the first five seasons or so of ‘Idol,’ the show was still owned and run by 19 Entertainment, which was also the record label that the artists got signed to after the show. After Season 6 or so, 19 sold the rights to some other company. In those first seasons when we were on, the executive producer was also the head of the record label. Each contestant was not just a contestant on the show, they were the future recording artists for the label. So there was a vested interest in everyone who ran the show to create career artists and present us in a way that we would have longer careers. After 19 sold it, TV networks have an interest in having high ratings. That doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the contestants. They don’t necessarily care if their record sells well.”

When asked which artist they’d still like to collaborate with? “Fantasia,” answers Ruben. For Clay, “Martina McBride or Trisha Yearwood.” While Clay has stepped away from recording for a while, Ruben’s new album “The Way I Remember It” is currently available to stream with his new single “SMH” due out May 3.

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