American Idol Candice Glover, Ruben Studdard Update VIDEO

Not only did Kelly Clarkson, come back to American Idol to perform and mentor the Top 9 as they took on the original winner’s songbook Wednesday night, but there were also several Idol alums in the audience to check out the new talent. Two fellow Idol winners, Ruben Studdard (Season 2) and Candice Glover (Season 12), plus season 4 alum, Vonzell Solomon were in the house, and introduced on camera by Ryan Seacrest.

Check out this short video from American Idol, which features Ruben and Candice sharing how it feels to come back “home.” A lot has changed since Ruben competed! Candice felt felt nervous sitting in the audience, as if she were waiting her turn to sing. About her post Idol career, Candice says, “I’m making my own rules and doing my own thing now.” Ruben will be heading out on tour with David Foster this summer, and is currently working on his 7th studio album.

https://youtu.be/wHaGJGpPsbc

Backstage at Wednesday’s broadcast, Billboard got a chance to chat with the alums, one on one. “I don’t think anybody’s going to expect the kind of music I’m putting out,” Ruben said of his new music. “It’s going to be a pleasant surprise. I’ve been in the studio since February and will be recording through the summer in Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York. Usually when I do an album I record a hundred songs. This time I’m just recording the ones I think are hits. I’ve only recorded seven songs so far and all of them are smashes.”

On Thursday, Candice took to twitter to clarify remarks she made on air to Ryan Seacrest–specifically about taking a year off after her debut album came out:

Yes I voluntarily took time off after my first album. Nobody can fully prepare for this job. I still needed to get myself together.

— Candice Glover (@CandiceGlover) April 2, 2015

There was so much involved w this career, this industry, etc that I wasn’t ready for. It hit me hard. This really is a dog eat dog business

— Candice Glover (@CandiceGlover) April 2, 2015

So yeah I wanted to fully find myself and find the confidence i once had before sharks (on and off social media) tore it down.

— Candice Glover (@CandiceGlover) April 2, 2015

Anyway I’m proud to say I’m back and happier than ever and this music will def reflect that ????

— Candice Glover (@CandiceGlover) April 2, 2015

Well, OK then. There’s that line of thinking that it’s smart to strike when the iron is hot–in other words, an artist needs to take full advantage of that short window of time after exposure on a competition reality show. But taking care of oneself comes first, and we all do what we gotta do.

Good luck to all of the Idol alums on their future careers!

Today, Candice tweeted about studio time and meetings: