Kelly Clarkson Apologizes to Ruben Studdard After Mistakenly Believing Clay Aiken Won ‘American Idol’

In 2003, Clay Aiken famously walked into his American Idol audition “looking like Opie.” The bespectacled North Carolinian may not have dressed the part of America’s next pop star, but he certainly brought the vocal chops. Ultimately, Aiken, then 24, finished a close runner-up to season 2 winner Ruben Studdard. Rather than wallow in his loss, the “Invisible” hitmaker parlayed his Idol stint into an incredibly profitable music career. Now 46, he has sold more than 5 million albums, making him the fourth highest-selling American Idol alum. Indeed, Aiken has been so successful that people often forget that he did not, in fact, win his season of Idol—including the show’s inaugural winner, Kelly Clarkson.

Kelly Clarkson Forgot That Clay Aiken Didn’t Win ‘American Idol’

When Clay Aiken stopped by the set of The Kelly Clarkson Show on Monday (Dec. 16,) the conversation naturally turned to the pair’s time on American Idol.

Clarkson and Aiken hit the road together in 2004 for their co-headlining Independent Tour. “I won the season before you,” recalled the “Breakaway” singer, 42. “But we toured after you won.”

“After I came in second,” Aiken interrupted.

Realizing her mistake, Clarkson turned toward the camera. “So sorry, Ruben, I totally remembered that,” she said, addressing Ruben Studdard, Idol’s actual season 2 winner. “Look, I’m 42, bro, okay? Like, I forgot.”

Since his victory, Ruben Studdard has released seven studio albums, including his platinum debut, 2003’s Soulful, and the 2004 gospel follow-up I Need An Angel. He also made his Broadway debut in 2018 alongside Aiken in Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show (aka Ruben & Clay’s Christmas Show)

Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard Are “Better Together Than Apart”

After her on-air gaffe, Kelly Clarkson admitted, “For some reason, in my brain movie, y’all are on different shows.” However, not only were Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard on the same season of American Idol, but they have remained virtually inseparable ever since.

“I love that he’s going to be like, ‘Um, I won, but fine,’” Clarkson joked of Studdard.

“He will be calling me, without question,” Aiken agreed.

Last year, Studdard and Aiken teamed up for Twenty The Tour, a joint nationwide tour in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their American Idol debut.

“And I’m sure we’ll do stuff again,” Aiken told Clarkson. “I mean, we’re sort of inseparable. I think we’re better together than apart.”