BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Nov. 24 (UPI) -- American Idol Ruben Studdard has checked into a Birmingham, Ala., hospital suffering from exhaustion, his publicist says.
The second-season "Idol" winner is under orders from his doctor to stay in the hospital for the rest of the week, forcing the 26-year-old vocalist to call off several engagements planned to promote his new CD, "I Need an Angel," which was released Tuesday, E! Online reported Wednesday.
"All promotion for his new album this week has been canceled along with his concert dates in Atlantic City on Nov. 26-27, which will be rescheduled," said Studdard's Los Angeles-based publicist, Liz Morentin.
The break sidelines the portly Studdard on the biggest retail day of the year, the day after Thanksgiving.
Last week, "Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken postponed the first three dates of his tour due to "vocal cord damage" inflicted by ear and sinus infections.
