Ruben Studdard Opens Up About Weight Loss, New Album

Ruben Studdard’s recent weight loss has helped him feel better than ever.

The American Idol winner credits his stint on the television series The Biggest Loser with helping him learn ways to battle the bulge. The singer lost a remarkable 120 pounds, a change that improved almost every aspect of his daily life.

His recent interview with Billboard revealed that his 2008 weight loss was essentially done to please other people. Since he didn’t shed the pounds for himself, it was only a matter of time before he tipped the scales once again.

“My earlier weight loss in 2008 was for other people. This time it’s for me. I was fighting so hard to figure out how to get on top musically that I neglected to take care of myself. It was unfortunate, but the truth. And now I’m finding a way to fix that balance,” he told the publication.

He added, “I most definitely feel better than I did before. I have much more energy. But I’ve always felt I was sexy [laughs]. Maybe that’s just the conceited side of me.”

Now that he’s tackled the weight loss, Ruben said he’s ready to begin focusing on his music career once again. The singer admitted that the extra pounds took its toll on him, which ultimately hindered the creative process.

“Being on the ‘Biggest Loser’ was definitely a time and place for a lot of self-reflection. To think about your accomplishments, mistakes, all the things that have made you who you are; about being on a reality show to get your life together,” Studdard said.

The singer continued, “When David and I wrote ‘Meant,’ I was thinking about where I’m trying to get to and that’s what came out. Starting out, I was this wide-eyed, immature 23-year-old with a slight direction as to where I wanted to go. Now I’m grown up with full direction and scope as to where I want to be in the next five-10 years: musical supremacy.”

Ruben released Unconditional Love, his first studio record in two years, on February 4. In addition to giving his fans some new music, he’s also touring with fellow singer Lalah Hathaway.

“‘Unconditional Love’ is my most romantic album yet. I’ve wanted to record many of these love songs for a really long time. It’s the most heartfelt album I’ve ever recorded and includes many of my favorite songs from all different eras,” the singer said last year.

What do you think about Ruben Studdard’s dramatic weight loss? Are you glad the American Idol winner is getting his health back on the right track?