Ruben Studdard in Miami

Ruben Studdard, the jovial rotund fellow who took the crown on the second season of American Idol, has his favorite picked out among the current crop of contestants, reports People magazine. Reuben's pick? Taylor Hicks. Studdard also says that he's flattered to be the object of amore of the recently departed Idol hopeful Mandisa. Studdard told MTV News that he's been too busy to watch the show this season, but says his vote would have to go to Hicks – who, like Studdard, calls Birmingham, Alabama home. Continue reading this article below "Bo Bice was from Birmingham," says the singer, 27. "Diana DeGarmo was actually born in Birmingham. So we've been doing pretty well." [PC]