Ruben Was a Reluctant Idol

American Idol victor Ruben Studdard is surprised by his rise to the top of the TV talent show - because he didn't want to enter the competition he originally branded "cheesy".

The rotund Alabama native, who beat out rival Clay Aiken to claim the title last week, admits he had no interest in the show - even as a spectator - until he was pushed into it by a pal.

He says, "I didn't watch the first one at all. The only time I watched it was the week Tamyra (Gray) got kicked off and then I didn't think anything else of it.

"My friend Sherida, who's in a band with me at home, wanted to go to the audition and I was like, 'Man, it's cheesy. I'm not going.' So she begged me and this is where I ended up."