When we got the opportunity to talk with “Biggest Loser” season 15 celebrity contestant Ruben Studdard on Wednesday afternoon, we had to ask: Will he still be the Velvet Teddy Bear?
That cuddly nickname was given to Studdard during season 2 of “American Idol,” which he won over Clay Aiken in 2003.
Studdard, who has battled with his weight in the public eye since he took the “American Idol’ crown, will be doing it again on “The Biggest Loser,” which kicks off season 15 on Tuesday, Oct. 8 on NBC.
“I'll be whatever my fans want to call me, honestly,” said Studdard, who spoke to the media with “Biggest Loser” trainer Dolvett Quince and executive producer Lisa Hennessy. “I'm just really happy that I have the opportunity to get to become a better version of what they call me.”
Hennessy interjected: “You’re always going to be cute, Ruben, no matter what the size is.”
Quince, who has worked with his share of celebrities, including Justin Bieber, said Studdard’s weight-loss journey is a bit different than working with other celebs.
“The difference from the perspective of working with different celebrities is that I went to celebrities as opposed to them being isolated,” as Studdard is on the “Biggest Loser” campus.
“When you isolate someone on the ranch the way we do, it makes the experience difficult for that person,” Quince said.
But Studdard said he is embracing the "Second Chance" theme of "Biggest Loser" season 15.
"This show has given me a second chance to live a better life not just, you know, professionally but personally," Studdard said. "It’s really given me an opportunity to put me first and not to put my career ahead of my health, and that’s what I've been doing for the past couple of years."
Studdard said after “Loser” is over, he’ll be working on his sixth album with producer David Foster.
