| American Idol | |
|---|---|
| Season 2 | |
 | |
| Hosted by | Ryan Seacrest |
| Judges | Paula Abdul Simon Cowell Randy Jackson |
| Winner | Ruben Studdard |
| Runner-up | Clay Aiken |
| Finals venue | Gibson Amphitheatre |
| Release | |
| Original network | Fox |
| Original release | January 21 – May 21, 2003 |
| Season chronology | |
The second season of American Idol premiered on January 21, 2003, and continued until May 21, 2003. The title of show was shortened from American Idol: The Search for a Superstar to just American Idol.[1] Brian Dunkleman quit after the first season,[2] and Ryan Seacrest therefore became the lone host beginning with the second season.
The second season was won by Ruben Studdard, who defeated Clay Aiken by 134,000 votes out of the 24 million votes recorded.
Studdard released his coronation song "Flying Without Wings" after the show, which reached number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Aiken also released a single with "This Is the Night." He was the first non-winning contestant to have a Billboard Hot 100 number one. It was also the biggest U.S. single of 2003, selling over one million copies and reaching six times platinum status in Canada as well as number one in New Zealand.[3]
In addition to Studdard and Aiken, Kimberley Locke, Joshua Gracin, Kimberly Caldwell, and Carmen Rasmusen all signed with various record labels.
- ^ "'X Factor' seeking stars in Newark, but does America need another TV talent show?". April 11, 2011. Archived from the original on April 14, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
- ^ "Former 'American Idol' co-host Brian Dunkleman "breaks his silence"". Realitytvworld.com. February 22, 2006. Archived from the original on March 15, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
- ^ "Clay Aiken - This Is The Night - Music Charts". Acharts.us. Archived from the original on September 23, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2010.