Tax Liens Placed On ‘American Idol’ Winner
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard owes nearly $200,000 for unpaid income taxes.
According to court filings, the federal government and the state of Alabama have placed liens on all of Studdard’s property for unpaid income taxes in 2003 and 2005.
Byron Perkins, a lawyer for Studdard, told the Birmingham News that his client is in good shape financially and can afford to pay the bill.
Developer John Elkington said he’s checking to find out if the liens on Studdard’s property will affect the singer’s promised six-figure investment in a planned downtown Birmingham club bearing his name.
The 29-year-old Alabama native, known as the “Velvet Teddy Bear,” was married in June.
Studdard is set to release a new album later this year and is launching a national tour in the fall.
Studdard won the “American Idol” title over Clay Aiken in Season 2 of the show.