Ruben Studdard On Weight Loss, New Music: I Wasn’t ‘Mature Enough’ For Success When I Won Idol

Ruben Studdard has taken control of his health, working tirelessly to lose 70 pounds on “The Biggest Loser.”

Though the former “American Idol” champ’s time on the weight loss show has ended, the singer says he has continued to shed more pounds and is only getting started.

“I’m down 112 pounds altogether,” Ruben told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover on Friday’s Access Hollywood Live. “I still have a very long way to go to meet my goal, but I am really, really happy and feel great.”

The 35-year-old star said his ultimate goal is just to be his “physical best” but admits he’d like to look like a certain athlete-turned-daytime TV host.

“I wanna be like Michael Strahan’s size. Just ripped up!” he said with a laugh.

And Ruben’s working hard on his music as well, with his sixth studio album on the way — a David Foster-produced love songs records.

Though he won “Idol” in 2003, Ruben said he’s happy his career is beginning to take off now.

“I’m so glad that it’s happening right now because everything happens for a reason, and I wasn’t mature enough when I won ‘American Idol’ to understand what everybody that voted for me wanted me to be,” he said. “You have to give the people what they want.”

“The Biggest Loser” airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.

— Erin O’Sullivan

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