Poor Rube

Quote:

From Birmingham Business News Quote: Ruben Studdard, American Idol winner and central tenant in Birmingham’s proposed entertainment district, has been hit with federal and state property liens for allegedly failing to pay nearly $200,000 in state and federal taxes, according to court records. Studdard, a Birmingham native, owes the federal government $171,920 in unpaid income taxes, according to a lien filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court. He also owes $21,730 in state income taxes. The majority of Studdard’s unpaid taxes stem from 2003, the year he won American Idol, and a $1 million recording contract. He owes $19,581 in state income taxes and $163,836 in federal taxes for the period ended Dec. 31, 2003, court records show. The “Velvet Teddy Bear” has dabbled in the business sector since winning the American Idol title. He launched a plus-sized women’s modeling agency in 2006 in Alabama and has agreed to open a night club in Birmingham’s yet-to-be-started entertainment district, The Forge, planned by the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.

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"You can kinda just be. Just live your life -- and play." Adam Lambert - OUT mag.

This isn't good news for Rube!

That's really unfortunate. I think at first Ruben hired people who he knew back home and thought he could trust. It seems some of them took advantage of him and betrayed him, not to mention giving him bad advice.

I just viewed Sanjaya's commercial. The ending made me laugh! Going with outrageous hairstyles while on AI has paid off!

I'm glad you enjoyed it too Janice. I loved the way the elder delivered his lines at the end.

You aren't kidding! Would Sanjaya have anything going on if he hadn't worked the hair?!

The Sanjaya commercial is pretty good.

This is going back a few days to the word that Ace is taking on the Kenickie role in Grease; I'm finding it odd that there has not been a formal press release about it. The first word was from a blog written by a lady who is in the Grease cast. I've been looking, but still haven't found one on playbill.com or broadwayworld.com.

Really? I wonder what is up with that?

Nice to see you Lau! Stop being a stranger you hear!

I guess the press people read my entry here about Ace (just kidding) - it just hit a short time ago.

"Idol" Finalist Ace Young to Join Broadway's Grease

Cool! Thanks for bringing that here! Who knew the bigwigs on Broadway read our little board?!

It looks like he will be there until the end of the year, or so I hear. Very exciting opportunity for him! They will have a couple of guys...Derek and Ace... who look more like they fit their characters than Max and Matthew.

I'm impressed with Lau's influence to get them to finalize the contract and put out the press release. I'm sticking with that story!

Me too!

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

“American Idol” contestant and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will sing at the Democratic National Convention at the request of Barack Obama.

Access Hollywood has learned exclusively that Barack Obama has asked the songstress to sing the National Anthem Thursday night in Denver when he formally accepts the party’s nomination.

An appearance at the DNC for Obama is one of the many things keeping Jennifer Hudson busy. She will release her self-titled debut album, “Jennifer Hudson,” on September 30, followed by the release of her new film, “The Secret Life of Bees,” opposite Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning on October 17.

I can only imagine how thrilled Jennifer must be. Isn't she from the south side of Chicago?

Yes she is! That was one reason she was my choice season 3! My folks and I were born on the south side of Chicago. We moved when I was 5 but I had grandparents, aunts and uncles that stayed there and we visited often. Sadly, that is now a very dangerous area to live. So all of this must be just unreal for Jennifer!

OMG - this is very exciting to read about Jennifer Hudson. I'd love it if Obama wins and she becomes the new Barbara Streisand of the White House....I've always had a very soft spot for Jennifer.

You guys are funny about my influence! hee hee

I would love to get to see Grease now that the summer is over. I'll wait until Ace is in his role for awhile before I look to buy a ticket though. He needs a little time to adjust to the show and the grind. I wish him loads of luck with this; he seems like such a nice man.

That would be awesome for Jennifer! I can't help but wonder how Fantasia feels about all of Jennifer's success. Must be a little tough for her. I always thought Jennifer had it all over Fantasia.