Current:Home > ContactTrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center-Who Will Replace Katy Perry on American Idol? Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken Have the Perfect Pitch -RiskWatch
TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center-Who Will Replace Katy Perry on American Idol? Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken Have the Perfect Pitch
Surpassing Quant Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-07 14:04:24
Dim the lights,TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken have an American Idol pitch.
As Katy Perry prepares for her final episodes on the reality competition show, the season two alums are throwing their hats in the ring to replace her at the judges' table.
"I would love it if they called me," Ruben, who won season two of Idol, recently told E! News during a joint interview with Clay. "But I think that in any way that I can go back and give advice to the young people that are going through the show, I do that readily and I'm thankful for the opportunity to do that anytime."
Clay, who was the runner-up in 2003, also expressed interest in sitting alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, and he even teased what kind of judge he would be.
"I would be tough," he shared, crediting his son Parker. "I got a teenager now."
However, as Clay explained, there's a difference between "being mean and being honest," noting that he and fellow contestants "appreciated" what former judge Simon Cowell brought to the table.
"While, yes, Simon was often looking for ways to say things that would get attention," the 45-year-old continued. "He was also giving advice that we could use."
In fact, Clay recalled, when Simon and fellow former judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson gave a comment, he would take the feedback and apply it to the next week.
"We make ourselves better," he noted. "And I think that if there's something that maybe the younger generations could use some of is some constructive feedback, because I think the goal of Idol is to make sure that every kid who is on it improves and becomes as successful as Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard. That's only possible if you really get constructive feedback."
"You can't be told, 'Oh, that's lovely.' Every week," he added. "You made it to the top 12 because you are a lovely singer. Now, how can you improve each week? Ruben and I would do that. That's what I'm saying."
If Clay or Ruben do end up returning to Idol, it would come shortly after their departure from another singing competition series: The Masked Singer. The longtime friends were unmasked as the Beets during the May 1 episode of the Fox show.
As for why they believe Masked Singer and Idol have such strong fanbases?
"People really enjoy having a hand in helping someone else's dreams come true," Ruben, 45, said. "And people at Idol do such a great job of pulling you into the young people's personal stories and backgrounds."
Plus, it's a show you need to watch in real time to avoid spoilers.
"We're so used to binging TV now," Clay explained. "It's very difficult to get folks to watch TV live. I think that's what makes this Masked Singer so brilliant, because it'd be ruined if it was spoiled for you. Right? You need to watch it live."
Keep reading to see more stars who have been unmasked on the show this season.
The Masked Singer airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on Fox, and catch-up on Hulu, Fox.com, Tubi and On Demand.
The Book was revealed as comedian Kevin Hart, who only competed on the premiere episode March 6 to prank pal Nick Cannon.
Chrisley Knows Best star Savannah Chrisley was the first actual contestant sent home during the second week.
Restaurateur Joe Bastianich said "ciao" to the competition after being revealed as Spaghetti and Meatballs.
TV host Billy Bush entered the competition as a wild card during week four but was abruptly eliminated.
Sisqo, singer of the 2000 mega-hit "Thong Song," was unmasked as Lizard during week five.
The Bachelor alum Colton Underwood was behind the Lovebird costume and was sent home during Transformers week.
Introduced as a wild card contestant during week six, retired football star DeMarcus Ware was eliminated and unmasked as Koala.
Music icon Charlie Wilcon was behind the Ugly Sweater mask and was sent home during week seven's double elimination.
The Office alum Kate Flannery was unmasked as Starfish during week seven's double elimination.
As Miss Cleocatra, Sister Act star Jenifer Lewis made a triumphant return to the stage nearly two years after her harrowing accident, in which she fell 10 feet from a balcony while on a trip to the Serengeti in Africa.
Just one week after joining the show as the season's final wild card contestant, former child star Corey Feldman was unmasked as Seal.
In a jaw-dropping double elimination, American Idol alums Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard were unearthed as the duo behind Beets.
Watch E! News weeknights Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m., only on E!.veryGood! (5)
Related
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Cargo train locomotive derails in Colorado, spilling 100s of gallons of diesel
- Tiger Woods to make first PGA Tour start since 2023 Masters at Genesis Invitational
- Father accused of killing his 5-year-old daughter does not attend start of trial
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Controversy over the Black national anthem at the Super Bowl is a made up problem
- Survey of over 90,000 trans people shows vast improvement in life satisfaction after transition
- Horoscopes Today, February 8, 2024
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Maryland’s Gov. Moore says state has been ‘leaving too much potential on the table’ in speech
Ranking
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Controversy over the Black national anthem at the Super Bowl is a made up problem
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wins record $19.9 million in salary arbitration against Blue Jays
- AI fakes raise election risks as lawmakers and tech companies scramble to catch up
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- U.S. Electric Vehicles Sales Are Poised to Rise a Lot in 2024, Despite What You May Have Heard
- Feds make dozens of bribery arrests related to New York City public housing contracts
- Tire recycler to open facility at Port of South Louisiana, create nearly 50 new jobs
Recommendation
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Florida asks state Supreme Court to keep abortion rights amendment off the November ballot
Why Rep. Al Green left his hospital bed to tank the Mayorkas impeachment
Satellite images show scale of Chile deadly wildfires, destroyed neighborhoods
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Henry Timms quitting as Lincoln Center’s president after 5 years
How the pandemic ushered in a maximalist new era for Las Vegas residencies
Mandy Moore Confesses Getting Married at 24 Took Her Down “Hollow, Empty” Path