Clay Aiken News

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken just completed a trip to the East African countries of Somalia and Kenya. There, the former American Idol finalist provided children with health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation.

The 29-year-old American Idol alum has written a series of blogs about his experience in the field. Here's a snippet from one of them:

“Getting children back to school is vital for their protection, and helps build a sense of normalcy in their lives. The re-establishment of schools in the most difficult circumstances is a testament to the commitment of UNICEF and to Kenyans. Many displaced parents told UNICEF that getting their children back to school was their top priority.

“Every child has the right to an education. Education transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty that so many children are caught in. And an educated child will make sure his or her own children receive an education too. This is just another one of the many amazing ways UNICEF is helping children today, while also building a safer Kenya tomorrow.”

Read all of Clay Aiken’s blog entries at UNICEFUSA.org. (Click on the “Permalinks” to view the full entries.)

This is more shocking news that the elimination of Michael Johns earlier this season:

Clay Aiken is going to be a father!!! Multiple sources have told The Hollywood Gossip that the mother is Jaymes Foster, a record producer and Clay's close pal. He lives at her home when he's in Los Angeles.

The 50-year-old Foster, who produced several Aiken CDs, is due in August. She's the sister of record mogul David Foster. Oh, and she was artificially inseminated. Clay may have been achin for a child with Jaymes, but not through the natural means of reproduction.

Sorry.

We've heard that Clay will plau an active role in raising the child, though there's been no immediate word from Aiken's rep.

So, you tell us: Will Clay Aiken make a good father?

The latest album from Clay Aiken, "On My Way Here," comes out on May 6.

Here's a look at the CD cover for it:

And, remember: Aiken - who many people compare David Archuleta to - will perform all-new songs on Monday, April 28 at 7 p.m. on QVC.

“Starting my career on national, live television, it seems fitting to be unveiling my new album live on QVC,” Clay said. “To be able to connect with QVC’s viewers and broadcast my performance to over 93 million households is an amazing opportunity.”

Here's an interview former American Idol finalist Clay Aiken recently gave, during which he discussed his Broadway run in Spamalot, along with other interesting topics:

Forget the potential of Michael Johns or David Archuleta for a moment.

An American Idol that has already established himself is coming out with a new album: Clay Aiken:

"We're hoping the next album will be out about May 6," Aiken, who is currently starring in the Broadway run of Monty Python's Spamalot as Sir Robin, told People magazine recently.

Aiken has been recording tracks for the RCA Records album when he's not on stage.

"We've picked most of the songs," he said."Sonically, I don't know that we're going down any path that's crazy. I'm not trying to be cool, I'm not trying to be hip. I'm not trying to do anything other than sing stuff that I'm good at."

What about an image overhaul, tied to the album, Clay?? The former Idol runner-up has gone through with that in the past.

"Last time I came out with dark crazy hair. We did that intentionally. But I'm just going to do what I do this time. We don't have any plans this time. But I've got the red wig [from Spamalot] – maybe I'll do that!"

Clay Aiken recently chatted with NY Magazine. Based on these snippets from the interview, it doesn't sound like the former American Idol finalist is up to much:

On his social life: “Nonexistent, really. I’m not a nighttime person.”

On his plans to date someone: “Heck, no. My dogs.”

On never having had a romantic relationship with anyone: “I just don’t have an interest in … any of that at all. I have got too much on my plate. I’d rather focus on one thing and do that when I can devote time to it, and right now, I just don’t have any desire.”

On suppressing his hormones: “Ah think maybe I don’t! I mean, not really. I’ve just kind of shut it off, maybe. Is that bad?”

On bars and clubs not being for him: “The only reason people go to bars is to get drunk and have sex. To me, bars are what hell is like.”

Just because the latest season of American Idol has kicked off, it doesn't mean we've forgotten our past favorites.

Here is your first look at Clay Aiken as Sir Robin in Monty Python’s Spamalot:

“Clay is amazing, beyond that glorious voice,” said director Mike Nichols. “Turns out he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character. People are going to be surprised by his wide-ranging talent, since the first impression is of great country charm and a singer to remember. This guy is not only a star; he is a lot more. We’re lucky to get him for Spamalot!”

Clay hits the Broadway stage for the first time this Friday, January 18.

Clay Aiken has been involved in a few dust-ups over the last few months. Remember the Kelly Ripa feud?

Newsweek certainly does, as it tried to get the former American Idol runner-up to comment in a couple of incidents during the recent interview. But Aiken wasn't exactly in the mood to talk about any of it:

How did you get into a fight with that lady on a plane? I’m not going to talk about it.

I was just curious because you’ve never talked about it. I did talk about it.

What about the Kelly Ripa thing? I’m not going to discuss it.

Did you think it was homophobic? I’m not going to discuss it.

What do you want to talk about? I think we’re done.

Can we talk about something fun? No, we’re done. I thought Newsweek would be more reputable. I’m surprised.

But I think people are curious about it. It was a year ago. This is Newsweek. It’s not the National Enquirer. I’d hate to have a job where I had to be rude to people.

I’ll change the subject. What do you do for fun? I watch the news. I read news magazines, but I’m reconsidering that now.

Read the full interview with Clay now.

Former American Idol finalist and UNICEF ambassador Clay Aiken spent Christmas with his mother and brother visiting flood victims in southeast Mexico.

UNICEF said Aiken participated in a gift exchange and sing-along with more than 300 children and their families at a camp erected for flood victims in the city of Ostuacan Tuesday. This comes as no surprise to anyone familiar with Aiken's work and attitude.

Aiken, his mother and brother (a Marine on leave from Iraq) will also be part of a UNICEF delegation scheduled to visit the state of Tabasco this week.

"The situation in Chiapas and Tabasco has really become a forgotten emergency," Aiken said in a statement. "Telling the story of these brave people, especially the children, to a U.S. audience is the reason that I am here. Sharing this experience with my family during this time of year makes it even more special."

A critique from Simon Cowell doesn't seem so bad right about now, does it?

Struggling to keep his balance, Clay Aiken gets a lesson on ice from Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen earlier this week.

These two were on hand for a taping of the Capitol One Holiday Celebration on Ice at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.