Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > October > 05 > Entry
10/6: Ruben Studdard in Atlanta for sickle cell awareness campaign
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I missed Ruben Studdard’s performance at the Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church Saturday night because I was uploading video of Diana DeGarmo. Else, I would have done video of Ruben, too. He was in town to spread awareness of sickle cell disease, which affects African Americans disproportionately. More details here.. I did catch him briefly signing autographs and spoke to him for a few minutes afterwards.
He’s prepping for his “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” national tour gig as Fats Waller and is still working on his fourth album. He’ll be in Atlanta again at Fox Theatre next month. (As you may recall, he recently married an Atlanta gal he met at a Wal-Mart CD signing a couple years back.) Here’s the original Fats Waller:
Ruben had no particular comment about Clay Aiken coming out a couple weeks back.
“I don’t have any thoughts,” he said. “That’s Clay’s sexual preference. And that’s pretty much all I have to say.” He said he talks to Clay regularly but not about stuff like that. He also hopes to catch Clay in “Spamalot” when he’s up in New York prepping for “Ain’t Misbehavin’ “.
He said he hasn’t done stage work since college doing “Porgy & Bess” but his parts were always small. In this case, he’ll be on stage virtually the entire time. His colleague Frenchie Davis has told him to rest up a lot and drink plenty of liquids to handle the eight days a week grind.
Here are a couple of other photos I took:
-Speaking of Clay, he wrote extensively about why he came out and his mixed feelings about the public (or in his mind, the media) obsessing over it. Here is what he wrote. And here’s an excerpt:
[F]or the last five years, I’ve found what seems to have been an inordinate amount of interest (not from the public, but from the media) in my own personal life. The questions never seemed to stop. Oh sure, they die down for a period, but they resurface. The wind blows another direction, and I do yet another interview worried that my personal life will become a topic of discussion. No doubt the birth of Parker would bring the same scrutiny, just heightened. It’s an interesting time we live in. Gone are the days when entertainers could go about their lives without the invasion of privacy that we now see everyday in the form of paparazzi and internet tabloid bloggers. So, in the hopes of being able to sing and act (and dance poorly) and do what I love to do for a living while raising my son in a hopefully more private and accepting environment, I chose to go ahead and confront things head on.
Yes, I would have preferred to separate my personal life from my professional life. I would have been just as happy to go on without discussing my orientation. But, it seems like that was not an option. Make no mistake, its not because I am ashamed. No, not for a minute. I haven’t always been as comfortable as I am now, but I am without a doubt, proud of who I am and make no apologies for it. Instead, I would have been happy to have kept my personal life private for that very reason. Because it’s personal life and I have always considered myself a private person. But, living as myself without discussing my sexuality publicly would have been as impossible.
For some of you it won’t be enough, but I can’t apologize for keeping my personal business to myself. If someone feels that they were mislead, I can totally understand that viewpoint and apologize for that feeling, but I can’t apologize for how I handled questions that affected me and my right to privacy.
In a fairly verbose way, he covered the topic thoroughly. Honestly, what’s there more to say about it? If he had done so four years ago, the elephant would have left the room a looong time ago. But that was his choice and now we can all (hopefully) just move on, right?
-And here’s a Blake Lewis interview. Is he bitter? Nahh…
Why didn’t Arista get behind the record?
They were at first. But a lot of the people who were got fired because of the industry’s troubles. The people that stepped in didn’t call me or e-mail me for like two months. So I waited and waited and waited, while I could have stepped up and toured. (Laughs) It’s kinda nice to have a label’s support when you’re on a label.
Comments
By Dawn
October 5, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
In a fairly verbose way, he covered the topic thoroughly. Honestly, what’s there more to say about it? If he had done so four years ago, the elephant would have left the room a looong time ago. But that was his choice and now we can all (hopefully) just move on, right? The problem with this comment is that 4 years ago, Clay has said he was just starting to admit it outside of himself. He was not comfortable enough yet to be able to tell family and friends, much less the world. There is never a wrong time to come out as long as it is on the person involved’s time table. Forcing someone or badgering them to come out is never acceptable. IMO it does more harm than good and second guessing Clay’s very personal decision is very uncool.
Bravo Clay, very well said.
By Deirdre
October 5, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
From the frying pan into the fire! :-)
Ruben looks good…married life agrees with him. Thanks for going out of your way(and getting lost every now and then) just so we can hear about how our Idols are doing.
By Pam
October 5, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
Congrats to Clay for coming out on his own time table & not letting anyone force him into uncomfortable decisions which could have hurt his beloved family members. And also for his adorable little son. Now when is Ruben going to have a baby??? Classy guy, that Rube, & always a loyal friend.
By JTesla
October 5, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
Ruben looks good.
As for Clay: “I’ve found what seems to have been an inordinate amount of interest (not from the public, but from the media) in my own personal life.” AND “Gone are the days when entertainers could go about their lives without the invasion of privacy”
With those two statements Clay has proven that he is an idiot. He is still being deceitful and making excuses where none need be made. The media was only interested because the public was interested. And, the days that he dreams about never existed.
By Deirdre
October 5, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
JT…as much as I love you..that’s not exactly true. Rock Hudson almost made it through his entire career without declaring his preference. The media knew but didn’t talk about it. Same was true of Tab Hunter and is still hinted at with Randolph Scott, Marlon Brando and Tyrone Power. There USED to be a time when one’s sexual preference was nobody’s business…..but that was 60 years ago. Even President Kennedy’s affairs were kept quiet….can you imagine the media frenzy today?
By JTesla
October 5, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
Deirdre, I agree on that limited point, but in terms of the bigger issue of living “without the invasion of privacy” I do not believe that the same level of privacy existed then as it does today for someone that is not in the spotlight. In many cases private lives were crafted or altered for publicity. If you put yourself in the public eye, you gave up some control over what was kept secret.
Furthermore, the people mentioned were able to keep things private, but unlike many performers today they did not have the other option of making these issues public. In my mind forced privacy doesn’t really equate to freedom.
With that said, Clay always had the option of retaining his privacy. The evil media doesn’t go door to door asking private questions. Continually put yourself in the spotlight today and the questions will be asked.
By JTesla
October 5, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
After giving it some thought, my last paragraph is not entirely accurate. Clay still retained the option of keeping his life private; he was able to do so for quite some time by doing exactly what he did. The choice to make turn public was his.
However, what has changed between the day of past celebrities and current celebrities? That takes us to the first statement that I quoted from clay, the public. The public demand for dirt has fueled the media. The media was content to offer the people what they wanted in the past, and they are content to continue to do so today.
By Deirdre
October 5, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
The media in Hollywood during the 30’s and into the 60’s pretty much worked for Hollywood. It was in their best interest to keep Rock Hudson a heartthrob for 1000’s of women. Now the tabloids will pay huge amounts of money for anything they can get on an entertainer’s private life.
It’s all about money…the public wanted dirt as much back then as they do now but the studio system was able to control what ‘dirt’ the public got.
By Nana
October 6, 2008 5:28 AM | Link to this
Good Morning Bloggers. I swear the weekends are getting shorter.
Don’t have time to remark on Rodneys post, running late. I will comment when I get to the office.
Y’ll drive safe and be careful.
By Deirdre
October 6, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
Morning!
Why is it that sometimes I know better than to argue with “fans” and sometimes I don’t? Rodney…next time, send me an email and tell me to shut up. No, seriously!
By Lara
October 6, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Good monday morning fellow blogsters! I really don’t have a comment on today’s topic - although y’all are right, Rueben does look very happy. That is awesome!
By Lara
October 6, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Good monday morning fellow blogsters! I really don’t have a comment on today’s topic - although y’all are right, Rueben does look very happy. That is awesome!
By flats
October 6, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Good morning to all my blog friends!!!!
By JTesla
October 6, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Deirdre, sometimes we need someone to point out the obvious.
By Deirdre
October 6, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
I know you tried to, JT but I was on a roll! Sometimes I learn my lessons and sometimes I don’t! :-)
By Nell
October 6, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
I think the difference batween Rock and Clay are that Clay made the public suspicious with his gay acting ways. Rock was always macho in public. If Clay had acted like a man, instead of a girl, no one would be asking these questions about his orientation.
By Deirdre
October 6, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
JT!!! Make some popcorn…quick!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
October 6, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
LOL count me in on the popcorn; I’ll bring the Whoppers or RedHots for the sweet viewing treat…
By flats
October 6, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Nell…Gays have rights too!!!!!!
By JTesla
October 6, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
I have the popcorn, how about that plot twist? I didn’t see that coming.
By flats
October 6, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
JT…What does the whole popcorn thang mean?
By flats
October 6, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
JT…What does the whole popcorn thang mean?
By Nana
October 6, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Finally got caught up with the weekend posting, and I’m glad I was out of town!!! What a holy mess. Seems like fans come through the cracks. I did listen to Diana’s country song and found myself quite entertained by it.
Ruben does look good and happy. Good for him.
As far as Clay, coming out is old news and really, do people even care anymore? As I have stated on here before, as long as their private lives doesn’t interfer with mine, they can be, do anything they want. People’s private lives are just that, * private and personal*. Clay was no shocker or surprise. I say let him alone and let him enjoy his life style and raise his precious son in peace. Everyone deserves that.
Okay, I will get back to work for now before I get in trouble on here.
BTW - Deirdre, thanks for standing up for Rodney. You did a fine job of it.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
October 6, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
LOL Nana, I agree, Deirdre did a great job defending Rodney. What some of those folks need to realize is D isn’t “assuming” what Rodney thinks, she’s a friend of his and has more knowledge about “what he thinks” than the average blogger. I’m a friend of his too, but for not nearly so long, and I’d have jumped in if needed, but Deirdre was doing such a great job, I (for once!!) stayed on the sidelines and didn’t jump up on the ol’ soapbox!!!
Ruben looks great. Diana looks great too, frankly. Wow. Moving to Nashville evidently put some finishing touches on her growing up, and she is, imho, a fine looking young lady! I too enjoyed the video, and yes, McBride/Hill sound, but still, Diana maintains a little something that’s her own. If she can sell that, she’ll go far!!!
Later, gang!!
By Deirdre
October 6, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Thanks Nana and linny…but y’all know as well as I do that the argument was useless. Diana wasn’t going to carry any of the responsibility at all with that group. I admire Rodney for owning up to his side of the issue. Diana probably would too if given the chance but her fans still wouldn’t accept it.
I really like a lot of performers and consider myself to be a big fan of some. But I’m not stupid enough to think everybody should feel the same way I do or that the performer is perfect and should get a free pass from the press.
What annoyed me the most and got me into the discussion WAY too much was their insistence that Diana could do no wrong and wasn’t culpable in any way.
Besides…I missed chatting during the week and they were the only ones hanging around during the weekend! :-)
By Nana
October 6, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Just a little tidbit about Diana. One of my granddaughters went to high school with her and from what I was told by my granddaughter and her friends, Diana was that way in school and thought she was better. I remember that there was a controversy involving Diana about the prom. I have never met her, so I really can’t say. She seems to be a well grounded young lady and does have a great talent and I do like her and voted for her each week on idol. Okay, nuff said by me.
I’m out for the remainer of the day. Gotta go back to the doctors, so I won’t post anymore till this evening.
So anyone driving home or anywhere, be safe and drive careful.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
October 6, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Deirdre we missed you too!!! Hope you raked in the cash from the yard sale!!! that’s a LOT of work!!
ok, back to work…see you guys later!
By Justin
October 6, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
I need help. I went to the TV Guide Channel site to look up the times american idol rewind is on. So, it says for one of them Fri. 10/10 @ 8pm. SO i go to my tv guide, ch. 453 (tv guide channel) go to that time and date, and it doesn’t say that it’s on. why not?!? why can’t they just make it easier and put it on fox or something….
By JTesla
October 6, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
Justin, I think the problem is that your cable provider is dumb. What cable company puts the TV Guide Channel on 453? If you asked me what TV Guide was on I would say channel 1, because that is the smart and logical place to put it. 453! What is it wedged between the Playboy channel and Oxygen? The 400’s are the land of pay-pay-view. Call your cable provider and tell them that they have three choices for locating the TV Guide Channel and those choices are channels 1, 2, or 3!
By flats
October 6, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
who’s the big dude in the picture??
By justme
October 8, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
I wonder how many cd’s Clay would have sold, if his gay preference would have come out a long time ago. I really feel cheated by him and his lying ways.