Ruben Studdard

2003's American Idol contest winner, Ruben Studdard, won the country over with his silky vocals and teddy bear-like appearance. The Alabama native's deep, mature singing style was a pleasant addition to the otherwise homogeneous crooning of the other contestants, and immediately set him apart from his peers. Throughout the show's season, Studdard's interpretations of such songs as "Superstar" (originally made famous by the Carpenters) and "Sweet Home Alabama" (an Allman Brothers staple) proved to be quite popular with both the judges and viewing audience -- and showed that Roooooooben, as his fans call him, had the talent to handle a variety of styles with ease.