Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken Look Back at Their 20-Year Friendship Since “American Idol”

[@dasuperstar1111]

They are a real life Odd Couple. So opposite but got each other's back and it's so genuine. Their chemistry is so authentic!

[@geisalagordon9966]

Ruben and Clay's friendship is so wonderful to see!

[@myfaithwalk8700]

❤

[@SharonWarfield]

I will never forget the night Ruben won. Clay was his biggest cheerleader that night. True friendship never ends❤

[@johnwiesner9590]

During the commercial break before the winner was announced, Ryan Seacrest was backstage practicing announcing the winner, and Clay inadvertently saw the card and already knew that he lost. I'm sure that had to be the worst moment of his life. After that season, a representative from the accounting firm comes out on stage and hands Ryan a sealed envelope with the winner's name in it.

[@AnastasiaBeaverhousn]

ONLY because he ALREADY knew Ruben won .. He even said that, he saw the card...

[@baevan-ni3fw]

Clay should've won TBH! I remember clay's song on the radio I don't remember Rubens ..

[@jmout2010]

@@baevan-ni3fw We still doing this after 20 years. LMAO

[@ithinkigottalent4047]

Okay, we need a reality show of them on the road together! They are HILARIOUS!!

[@beaner3891]

Hope you can may it to one of their concerts. Judging from videos of their last tour together (10+ years ago), the banter gonna be hilarious !!

[@lindaf4836]

Yes. The ball was dropped 20 years ago, when the 'CLAY and RUBEN', tv show, or/and movies were never filmed! It's NOT too late though!!!

[@sweetlikez]

yes, we really did. lol

[@crueltyfreecolorist1025]

It’s heartwarming they are still friends after 20 years. That’s rare to see! I feel old now, I remember watching them on tv.

[@olajuwonspears9448]

Clay read the card before he won and he turned to him and whispered it's you , that's why he was staring at him so hard and smiling before the announcement. When people talk about why their proud of being Americans this is why! This is family and this is love

[@jmeee]

Three incredibly authentic people. This interview was a delight ✨

[@NellieKAdaba]

Amen

[@shaliacampbell3709]

I watched that season of American idol and it was one of the best seasons! Such a great group of people and you tell they cared for each other. This friendship is one you pray you have with at least one or two friends that true blue friendship. The ride or die person.

[@nasiarena5208]

omg I am grinning from ear to ear straight through!!! such a joy to see them 20 years later!

[@adriankinchen9893]

SAME!! At the very end I realized my cheeks were tired from grinning so hard & so long. Loooooved it!’n

[@swesley275]

I can't believe it's been 20 years!!! Wow.

[@HoneyHoneyBaby]

Ikr 😳‼️

[@Lisa-kz7vw]

seriously I feel like it was yesterday Ruben went to my high school.

[@tressanallenmartin9336]

Does that mean I’ve aged? WTH!! Time has really passed…I’m glad they still great friends.. more love me an ole married couple

[@darlenebattle2713]

Here, here!!

[@codymann6152]

Believe it No other fallen time than now, when a male is coiffed to the 💅!! The bar had been lowered under the ground.

[@dorellrock5355]

😂😂 I love the fact that these two remains friends after all this time.♥️♥️♥️ I can remember watching "American Idol" from 2003-2014 or 2015 every week faithfully. I do recall watching these two through out the season. Although their are new judges it's nothing like the original judges like Paula, Simon and Randy.

[@monicat.4880]

THIS IS WHAT TRUE FRIENDSHIP LOOKS AND SOUNDS LIKE. I LOVE THIS IS IN THIS WORLD RIGHT NOW. YEAH RUBEN AND CLAY.

[@allyssahubbard3514]

I love that they have remained true friends,bc in this one life you can have lots of friends that are good for Nothing, but you need one friend that is good for Something! God bless!🙏🏼

[@legal_beagle5294]

Who else wants to be friends with Clay Aiken right now!!!????

[@brendajohnson5064]

Totally AWESOME. So glad to know that Ruben and Clay have remained friends after all these years. ❤❤

[@ThatsBrilliantWithPC]

Loved watching this segment. It brought back so many memories of the early years of American Idol. I used to rush home to watch with my mom and if I was doing something else, she’d turn up the volume so that I would join her. She would always say “Ruuuubbbbennn!!” Haha, great memories!!

[@horrormoviescreamqueen13]

Team Clay all the way! My high school choir sang with him in 2005

[@kemilolafadeyi5483]

This is so beautiful to watch . Their path crossed for a reason . 😅😅😅

[@sukuntee]

How did they form such a lasting brotherhood?

[@deborahw.215]

This was hilarious. It's so beautiful to see these two competitors able to have a genuine friendship.

[@julievanderleest]

Clay doesn’t look like the same person. He’s changed so much! Still has one amazing voice though. Their friendship is so amazing too.

[@LovingAtlanta]

👍💝OMG 20 yrs ago! Where did the time go! I’m glad Ruben lost weight. I’m glad they are friends. 💝

[@ajwriter5699]

Awww The guys look great! Ruben looks amazing with his weight loss and Clay looks great with his weight gain. This episode makes me happy. It’s great that I see this episode on the day that I had a therapy session. I feel full.

[@diethabastar]

im agreed.. the most watched episode... 🥰💕

[@OddWomanOut_Pi81]

Maaaan, my memories of those early days of "Idol" are so fuzzy now, but who could forget these two? Lol! So glad they're still buds. 😃🥰💕

[@kathleenomalley257]

He alright 🤣always loved Clay and Ruben have fun on your tour

[@diannewilliams2325]

Wow 20 years!! Time sure has wings this is true friendship

[@MelissaHash]

I voted for Clay! American Idol isn't the same as back then! The formula worked in the early days yo! They broke the mold on both Ruben & Clay seriously! I am a #ClayManiac4Life!

[@jackieberry7197]

I love Ruben and Clay they still are Friends that is a Blessing Clay Remind Me of Todd Christley.

[@patriciainspirationalcorne7899]

Just Awesome.... That's what true friendship looks like.

[@TeXXicJA]

This is a sitcom, for real. I'm in tears from laughing so hard

[@flourish5blessing424]

I loved them both. Either one that won was ok with me. They are both great singers and talented artists

[@SS-ii6nz]

I would love to see a talk show with these amazing artist. They are so amazing. Happy 20th Anniversary .

[@areyoufreeenough1372]

I am here crying as if this was like 2003. I forever love these two💞💞

[@Lisablessed49]

This brings back so many memories!! I'm glad they are still friends. Doesn't seem like 20 years!!

[@lenaywhitlock4179]

I LOVE THEIR BROTHERHOOD! BUT I REALLY LOVE ME SOME RUBEN STUDDARD!

[@kimberlycubbs5752]

One of the best of American Idol contestants.Love interview.

[@Bridget2460]

Omg, one of the most down to earth, entertaining interviews. This interview was so refreshingly funny.

[@pitbull7885]

I love these 2 together!

[@arthurdavis9386]

Love them both and can't believe it's 20 years . Love your show Tamron ❤️ .💯

[@thomasinagoss5904]

I have the upmost respect for the both of them and my heart they both won. There relationship is phenomenal . And that is with true stardom is all about.

[@amw091303]

They're friends...for real for real....LOLOLOL...and I love it!!!!

[@sweetlikez]

This whole interview was magical. Such a great friendship. We don't really see a bond like this ever. I am so glad they became friends and kept connected and still go on tour. Sometimes these stuff we see folks fall apart and go separate ways. But these two stayed together. I am glad the two found themselves and shined.

[@BrunchwithLexii]

This was a great breath of fresh air! Love Love love them ! Definitely following on Instagram

[@allisonjohnson6399]

Reuben looks great!!! He just seems like a teddy bear!!

[@cassandradennis5685]

Wow! Incredible! God bless them both 🙏🏻

[@hellowkitty2010able]

Love these two! Glad they’re still friends! You can definitely see this is true friendship. Bond that can never be broken. Brotherhood for sure ❤

[@stephenmathurin9411]

Congrats to them both 👏

[@Me_myself_and_I_AM_Vision]

Aww the both of them look great. God is good

[@Sanfranshelley]

Too funny and cute!😍 They remind me of the old tv show called, The odd couple, but sweeter😃🤟

[@carolettehinds4058]

Clay Aiken was my favorite.

[@sandradavis8818]

Mine too. He sung so effortlessl.

[@lindakelling6647]

I like them both. They have wonderful voices. It's so nice to see them again. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@AlwayzOneHunnit]

Big Reubbb!!! As they already knowwww.... Reuben owned that shyt!!!! He's so handsome and was my fav. Glad to see Reub again.

[@b4utravel]

These two are a riot.

[@mizpahmatiaha1773]

So beautiful 🥺 God bless them 💓

[@StephanieS2209]

I can’t wait for them to start a podcast

[@ohkboomer9088]

Everyone needs one friend like this

[@controllerrr]

Clay is a riot!

[@geisalagordon9966]

Love Clay's Southern accents

[@dlclcn5021]

Right??!! Me too! NC proud!

[@ethel9194]

I remember this my sister was in the hospital all of us in the lobby was cheering for Reuben she passed the same year.

[@funday8242]

Reubens looks great.

[@ItsMyLifeDaralynn]

This is so cool ... the friendship

[@missiris1234]

Great show today. You are crushing it!!!

[@gwenstevens1963]

I remember 🎉🎉Love these guys ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Msladyrae92]

“ Im sorry for , 2004!” 🎶

[@areyoufreeenough1372]

Congratulations Bearful Reuben

[@surayaabdul5216]

Love them.

[@shavonware]

👏🏾😁💕 Clay & Ruben 👏🏾👍🏾😎

[@MsJoiBella]

Lol they're adorable.

[@christinedell4065]

Love watching this glad they still friends after all these yesrs:) made me smile and laugh how they talk to eachother too.

[@candicane1]

They are a trip! 😂

[@diamondintheroughiamthelaw9682]

2 great singers🎶🎶🎶🇺🇸

[@areyoufreeenough1372]

They are the odd couple remix😁😄😄😃😃

[@Msladyrae92]

Iconic

[@ppwilbon]

Great interview

[@jacquilove9490]

All jokes aside, CLAY didn't have to say that phrase was too eloquent for RUBEN.

[@peacewithangelamarie]

I tht that too.

[@tenishawilliams958]

They are friends/family…it was said in LOVE!!

[@myrlinn]

It was a joke. Works because Ruben IS eloquent -- in a laid-back kind of way.

[@lettiegrant9447]

Exactly!

[@lindaf4836]

He meant that RUBEN is shy and introverted, NOT as much of a big mouth as he is. He DIDN'T mean to insult him, he used the wrong phrase, I agree!

[@Texasbama2]

I really wish she wouldn't have interrupted so much. Especially when they'd be in the middle of a story and after her interrupting they didn't pick up back with the story. Love these 2

[@debbiemcdonald8928]

I love you guys

[@yippiefromthehippie]

time goes way too fast and i don't have the ability to pull it over for speeding. my oldest daughter is 35 and my other daughter is 27. i f i could do it over again i would slow down time just to savor the wild and crazy moments just a little longer.

[@Johncollins3-n2w]

Girl let me tell u I was all up in the air on this one I was worried 😂 my pastor my momma every body 😂😂😂 and when he won man I cried and I think the whole world did too👍👍👍👍

[@raquelhanlan7519]

Love this!!😊💕💕

[@April-201]

I love theme ☯️

[@cyndedawson3129]

Fabulous 🔥🤩🌹💫🌌💯 for sure

[@sharonheller6565]

God plants seed for people and we do the rest. Thank God for friendships.

[@marjariemayne1033]

Just love you vibze Tam Tam❤💯🙏

[@johnwiesner9590]

I was really surprised that South Park never did an episode making fun of those two, but they probably weren't allowed to. I don't ever remember them making fun of any of the contestants, judges, or Ryan Seacrest.

[@sholabishop207]

Bought both of their cds

[@BarLadyy]

Dang! TWENTY years?!?!?! It doesn’t seem like it.

[@derrickskipper9227]

This is Awesome

[@megab1857]

I LOVE RUBIN STUTTER AND CLAY AKIN

[@CharnyLuv]

If nothing is for certain …. We all know Tamron can make herself cry at the drop of a dime. Lol . I’m impressed … she should do acting

[@rubysteincoppage4225]

It does not seem like it been 20 years .

[@irisjohnson2627]

Thats Right 👍▶️ Me Too

[@yvonnedelories4780]

Wow

[@cynthiahenry5585]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@YolandaK]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@tboss3276]

Jesus loves you!😊❤

[@jessr2498]

Clay girl all the way

[@kittiecorner]

Never watched this show before but that couch looks uncomfortable as all get out. Also why are they angled away from the audience? Both men look as though they are having to lean back. Get some decent furniture, Tamryn!

[@yukuhana]

Ruben Looked almost exactly the same, but Clay....