Clay Aiken & Ruben Studdard Reunite For ‘This Christmas’ Performance On ‘The View’

One of the champion parts astir the holidays is reuniting with aged friends, and former American Idol winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken dropped successful for a astonishment show connected The View on Monday, December 12. Dressed successful vacation sweaters, the brace gave a lively show on Donny Hathaway’s classic “This Christmas,” earlier chatting with the co-hosts.

After Clay and Ruben, some 44, finished performing, the women complimented them connected their vacation rendition, and Clay announced that the brace were commemorating the information that 2023 volition beryllium 2 decades since they some competed successful the 2nd play of American Idol. “We are astir to observe our 20th day from the twelvemonth we were connected Idol. So, Ruben and I are hitting the roadworthy unneurotic with the 20th-anniversary circuit each crossed the country,” helium said. “We’re going to beryllium celebrating the past 20 years since we did Idol and the euphony we’ve gotten to make, and the friendships we’ve gotten to marque on the way.” Ruben besides shared the circuit dates connected his Instagram.

Ruben and Clay person go a spot of a vacation contented on The View. They archetypal sang “This Christmas” unneurotic connected the programme backmost successful 2016, per TV Line. They besides performed “O Holy Night” successful some 2018 and 2019, with the archetypal twelvemonth previewing their Christmas Broadway show. They also amazed a choir teacher during a virtual quality successful 2021.

Clay and Ruben roseate to fame arsenic contestants connected ‘American Idol.’ (Lee Roth/STAR MAX, Inc./Newscom/The Mega Agency)

After immoderate playful reminders that Ruben won and Clay was the runner-up, Sunny Hostin asked if determination was a anticipation of either of them returning to the world amusement aft each of this time. “We are some going to beryllium returning to the show,” Ruben teased.

Clay revealed that they volition so beryllium appearing unneurotic to observe the peculiar day aboriginal this season.  “We volition beryllium successful the finale of American Idol this coming season. Exactly 20 years from the time of our finale, truthful we’ll beryllium singing unneurotic connected the finale,” helium said. “And we’ll beryllium connected the roadworthy too! So, truthful galore opportunities to spot Ruben and Clay.”

The Idol runner-up, who besides notably ran for Congress successful North Carolina, besides reflected connected his relationship with Ruben successful a caller Instagram post. ” If you person the blessing of knowing Ruben Studdard, you understand:
There aren’t galore humans much selfless oregon gracious oregon loyal than he,” helium wrote. “Happy 20th anniversary, Rube. I emotion you to the satellite and back.”

The 2 contestants aren’t the lone ones who person made a caller return to Idol. Former judge Paul Abdul got emotional erstwhile she returned for a reunion occurrence successful May. “I’m crying seeing each the contestants who are similar my babies. It’s beautiful,” she said.

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