Clay loses to Ruben

The Clay Train has jumped the track.

After months of sailing through the cutthroat talent competition, North Carolina's Clay Aiken lost the crown of "American Idol" Wednesday night to Ruben Studdard, of Birmingham, Ala. Aiken, a 24-year-old from Raleigh, placed second in the televised contest that has become a pop culture phenomenon and national obsession. The decision, based on America's votes via toll-free phone lines and text messaging, was announced during a two-hour season finale for the Fox series. Studdard and Aiken had long been considered favorites in the competition, topping Internet fan polls and receiving considerable national media attention.

In Tuesday night's final round of competitive singing, Aiken delivered a stirring version of Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The performance was strong enough for Idol judge Simon Cowell to suggest it could win the title for Aiken, but in the end, it didn't sway enough votes away from Studdard, whose gentle demeanor and soothing voice earned him the nickname "Velvet Teddy Bear."

American Idol, which consistently ranks among the most-watched shows on television, winnowed a singing contestant per week until there was only one remaining. Studdard won a recording contract.

The final show was a star-splashed spectacular, with a red carpet entrance and flashing paparazzi bulbs. Live footage from the RBC Center in Raleigh, where fans gathered to watch the broadcast, served as a reminder of how far Aiken has traveled from the A.E. Finley YMCA in North Raleigh, were he once worked as a counselor.

Aiken, a Leesville Road High School graduate who was studying special education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte before beginning his "Idol" quest, went through numerous makeovers during his televised run at stardom. After transforming from a unassuming redhead with glasses to a mussy-haired, energetic crooner with contact lenses, Aiken earned a huge following. Groups of them from all over the world conversed on the Internet and referred to themselves as "Claymates" and "riding the Clay Train."

All is not lost. With his name recognition and enthusiastic fan base, Aiken will have a shot at an entertainment career even with this setback. His first single, This is the Night, won't be released until June, but already it's No. 1 on the Amazon.com charts, based on advanced orders.

Aiken fans can also get a live look at their homegrown pop star when the "American Idol" tour makes a stop on Aug. 6 at the RBC Center.