Ruben Studdard Loses Almost 100 Pounds

NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2006

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(CBS/AP) There's a lot less of the Velvet Teddy Bear to hug.

Ruben Studdard has lost nearly 100 pounds by cutting back on his food. He used to weigh more than 400 pounds.

Studdard told NBC's "Today" show that he was put on a 1,200- to 1,500-hundred-calorie diet at a weight management center at Duke University.

The R&B singer, who won 2003's "American Idol" competition, beating out Clay Aiken, says he's now a vegetarian.

Studdard has a new album coming out Oct. 17. He says he called it "The Return" because not many people bought his inspirational album, and some thought he hadn't recorded in a while.

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