'American Idol' Alum Ruben Studdard Reveals the Connection Son Shares with Singer's Late Brother

Photo: Ruben Studdard/instagram

Ruben Studdardkeeps his brother’s memory close, with the help of his son.

Appearing onThe Tamron HallShowMonday, theAmerican Idolalum, 44, opened up about how his son Olivier’s name honors the singer’s late brother, Kevin, who died at 44 in 2018.

“I gave my son my brother’s middle name, which is also my father’s middle name. I just wanted him to have a connection to his uncle because I know how much his brother wanted to meet him, if he ever showed up.”

“So he’s here, and he can always say, ‘I got my uncle’s middle name,’ " shared Studdard.

Studdard shares his little boy, 2½, with wife Kristin Moore Studdard.

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Studdard will embark on a tour this year with fellowIdolalumClay Aiken. Thetwo announcedTwenty, a 20th anniversary commemorating their 2003 run on the singing competition show’s sophomore season.

“We’re getting old, Ruben. We are about to celebrate our 20th anniversary from the year we were onIdol,” Aiken, 44, said during the announcement onThe Viewlast month. “And so, Ruben and I are hitting the road together with a 20th-anniversary tour, all across the country throughout the year.”

He added: “We’re starting out this spring, and we’re gonna be celebrating the last 20 years since we didIdol, and the music we’ve gotten to make and the friendships we’ve gotten to make along the way.”

Studdard followed up the announcement with a promo image and some tour dates on his Instagram. “@clayaiken & Iare hitting the road this Spring, twenty years after our debuts on American Idol. Join us for the first leg of Twenty | The Tour,” he wrote.

Aiken previously paid tribute to Studdard and their 20-year friendship earlier this month, sharing a series of throwback photos from over the years and thanking the show for giving him “one of the greatest friendships of my life.”

source: people.com