Ruben Studdard: Mariah Carey Should Be the Next 'X Factor' Judge

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Ruben Studdard stopped by The Wendy Williams Show Tuesday morning to promote his fifth album, Letters From Birmingham, and chat it up with the television host about such hot topics as who should judge X-Factor, the truth behind his divorce, his tax problems and Clay Aikens chances on NBCs The Apprentice.

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After Williams questioned Studdard about X Factors contract negotiations saga with Britney Spears, Studdard said his judge of choice would be: Mariah Carey.

She wouldnt pull any punches, said Studdard, who also name checked former Pop Stars judge David Foster as another choice.

He was congenial about his divorce from his wife of three years, Surata Zuri McCants, rejecting Williams theory that McCants expected the high life when she married the Velvet Teddy Bear.

Studdard said the couple was just two people going in two different directions, explaining that he wanted a big family and she already had a daughter.

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He also said that although Studdard and Aiken are perceived as quiet guys, hes not surprised that Aikens sense of humor is shining on The Apprentice, and added that Aiken is an entertaining and funny person, which he learned from li! ving wit h the singer in the same house during American Idols second season, and on tour.

He even said that a production hand on the American Idol tour said that a camera should have been backstage just so people can see how stupid Aiken and Studdard really are.

Other revelations: Studdard has regained most of the weight he lost due to stress eating and kicking it following his divorce (sweets is his downfall, especially red velvet cake); the title of his single, June 28, is the date he got married; he is very single, and is working with his tax attorney to repay the $100,000 in taxes he owes to the IRS.

I wont be the first person on television with that problem and I wont be the last, he said.