• 'American Idol' runner-up Justin Guarini says he "lost control" of jet ski in June mishap

  August 27, 2003
  The New York Post reports that original American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini has finally broken his silence about the widely-reported 'jet ski' incident in Texas at the end of June, when he was cited for unsafe boat operation. Justin told US Magazine that he "lost control of [the] jet ski" and that it was a mishap that "anyone could have had."

• 'American Idol' Ruben Studdard announces free concerts backing Alabama tax hike

  August 25, 2003
  Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't the only Rebublican wrestling with state tax hike issues. Alabama Gov. Bob Riley is in the same situation -- but the Associated Press reports that Riley's Sept. 9 "Believe in Alabama" referendum to raise Alabama's tax rates has received backing from another well-known entertainer: American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.

• Release dates set for CDs from 'American Idol' Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken

  August 21, 2003
  In the wake of Clay Aiken's single falling from the #1 slot in the U.S. after 10 weeks on top, the Associated Press reports that release dates have finally been set for the full-length CDs from Clay and his fellow American Idol 2 finalist Ruben Studdard. Both CDs were delayed from their original August 19 release date, probably because the success of Clay and Ruben's singles made album quality more important.

• Clay Aiken's single continues to hold #1 in Canada for 10th week

  August 21, 2003
  Nielsen SoundScan reports that, although American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken's single "Bridge Over Troubled Water" / "This Is The Night" dropped to second in the U.S. for the week ended August 17, it continues to hold the top spot north of the border for the 10th straight week. On the Canadian Singles Sales chart. Clay edged out Hilary Duff's "So Yesterday," reversing this week's U.S. chart positions.

• Clay Aiken to perform at Miss America pageant

  August 21, 2003
  Clay Aiken's single may no longer be number one, but he's still got what it takes to make the pageant stage. The Associated Press reports that Aiken will be performing his hit "This Is The Night" as one of the opening acts for the Miss America Pageant on September 20 in Atlantic City.

• 'American Idol' runner-up Clay Aiken's single drops to #2 after 10 straight weeks at #1

  August 21, 2003
  All good things must come to an end, and that includes American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken's streak with the #1 single on the Nielsen SoundScan U.S. Singles Sales chart. E! Online reports that Hilary Duff's single "So Yesterday," which had narrowly been #2 in both of its first two weeks of release, bumped Clay's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" / "This Is The Night" out of the top slot for the week ended August 17, 2003.

• 'Idol' runner-up Clay Aiken's single remains #1 in sales for 10th week in U.S.

  August 14, 2003
  The streak lives. American Idol 2 runner-up Clay Aiken's million-selling RCA single, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" / "This Is The Night" remains #1 on the Nielsen SoundScan U.S. Singles Sales chart (presented by Canoe Jam! Showbiz) for the week ended August 10, its 10th straight week on top. For the second week in a row, Clay edged out Hilary Duff's "So Yesterday" for the top slot.

• FOX announces 'American Idol 3' audition dates for Houston and Atlanta

  August 7, 2003
  FOX has announced the Houston and Atlanta open audition dates for the third edition of "American Idol."

• 'Idol' runner-up Clay Aiken's single hits 9th week as #1 in sales, by 157 copies

  August 7, 2003
  The margin keeps shrinking, but Clay Aiken remains #1. According to E! Online, Clay, who finished second on this spring's edition of Fox's American Idol, registered his 9th straight week atop the Nielsen SoundScan U.S. Singles Sales chart for the week ended August 3, but by his narrowest margin yet. Aiken's single, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" b/w "This Is The Night," which has already been certified platinum for sales of over 1 million copies, edged Hilary Duff's new release "So Yesterday" for the top spot by a mere 157 copies.

• 205 Flava claims secret payoffs to 'American Idol' winner Ruben Studdard

  August 6, 2003
  In response to a lawsuit filed by Ruben Studdard, the winner of the second edition of Fox's American Idol, the owners of Birmingham, Alabama clothing maker 205 Flava, Inc. have made explosive allegations about secret payoffs to Ruben. The Birmingham News reports that 205 Flava owners Willie and Frederick Jenkins allege that they paid Ruben at least $1,000 per week to wear their 205 jerseys, a clear violation of Idol rules if true.

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