Clay Aiken
News (Page 3)

There's a civil war among the Claymates in Claynation.

The rabid fans of Clay Aiken - who call themselves "Claymates" and say they live in "Claynation" - are at odds with each other over their former Idol. An insider told The New York Post:

"The war is between the batty members that are still clinging to their heterosexual fantasies of him and others that don't harbor such illusions."

Aiken's sexuality has been a subject of speculation ever since several men came out publicly and said they'd met him in gay chat rooms and had relations with him. Aiken has always refused to discuss his inclinations.

The Claymates' clash got so bad that the Official Fan Club at clayonline.com completely suspended its message board and noted:"Due to reports of extensive unrest and disrespect amongst members that has been carrying on for several weeks, the Official Fan Club Message Board will be shut down until further notice. Please note that should tensions continue on other areas of the fan club, severe consequences may occur."

Wow. What do you guys think? Please keep all responses clean.

In a special American Idol bonus edition of Entertainment Weekly (issue #937), Raleigh native Clay Aiken was listed as having one of the top song performances ever on the amazingly successful show.

In an article entitled "Best (and Worst) Idol Performances Ever", Aiken was listed at number three in the "Best" category with his performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" on May 20, 2003 during the show's second season.

In a pull-out quote with a picture of Aiken, the magazine spoke about that special performance where "backed by a gospel choir, Clay Aiken delivered a version of Simon & Garfunkel's number one hit that managed to be both over the top and expertly scaled."

In the special issue, Aiken was also named as having the biggest change in appearance since beginning on American Idol.

In a full page photo story, the magazine says that out of all the contestants, Aiken had the "ultimate Idol evolution" and went from "totally geek to totally chic" with his current look that includes longer hair, tailored suits, and contact lenses instead of glasses.

We like Clay Aiken a lot. Who doesn't?

But we couldn't help but notice a certain resemblance to the Chucky doll from those Child's Play movies. We know that Simon Cowell is supposed to be the scary one, but take a look below and let us know if you agree:

Thanks to People magazine for this interview with Clay Aiken ...

Have you been keeping up with this season's American Idol?
It's the first year I haven't watched it.

Not at all?
Not one time. And I've done it on purpose.

Why is that?
Just don't want to. Too much stress for me. I don't know, I just always get stressed out when I watch it.

Are you stressed out for the underdogs, or just the whole competition in general?
I feel like Idol is a drug of some kind. Like you think you can't live without it until you finally do, and then you realize, "You know what? Life is fine without this show. I'm gonna be okay" (laughs). Not that I've done drugs! 'Cause I realized if I watched the first one, I'd probably not sleep until the next week and I watched the second one. And I just like not having that chain in my life, that I'm tied down to watching it every week.

Do you have a new album in the works?
We are going to be going out on tour this summer. And we're actually looking into making another album pretty soon. This time we're going to do something more creative. And so I'm excited about that, 'cause I'm looking forward to having a little more free reign than I've had in the past. Each time I've done an album, I've had a little more creative control over what happens.

What would you recommend to Idol contestants about making the most of their fame?
I think that where I am today is a direct result of God's plan to put me in each place in my life. Find something that you are passionate about that gives back to your community. I think there's a misconception that really upsets me when people say, "If you're in the public eye you have an obligation to let me know when you're gettin' married, who you're gettin' married to and who you're dating." That's bull. But you do have an obligation to be a role model. From the beginning, I realize I got this only because God wanted me to be here. I think anybody who has any microphone to use who doesn't use it for the benefit of those around him is remiss.

Clay Aiken has many, many fans.

But his supposed biggest Claymate, Diane Knappenberger, challenged the American Idol crooner to a trivia game on The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet in New York on Thursday.

Although not pictured here, Knappenberger scored a tropical vacation for answering questions correctly about the Idol runner-up.

It's as friendly as a rivary can get.

Jimmy Kimmel showed up at a Clay Aiken appearance a few months ago and expressed his love for this laid back singer. Even it the action was meant to mock, it was done kindly enough.

Last night, season two's American Idol runner-up returned the favor. He showed up on the ABC late night talk show, chock full of love and affection. Just take a look:

We're glad to bring American Idol fans free videos of their favorite past and potentially future stars. Check out Chris Sligh, for example.

Meanwhile, here's a clip of the latest Clay Aiken clip for the song, "A Thousand Days."

Enjoy:

Clay Aiken is known almost as much for his charitable ways as for his vocal talents.

To help further one of this American Idol star's causes, we've included a recent Public Service Announcement he helped record on behalf of UNICEF. Take a look now and find out how you can contribute to this worthy charity:

Nothing new here. Just a retrospective look by People at the runners-up in American Idol's brief history. These five singing standouts may have come in second, but they're still Idols to millions. Well, sometimes.

Here's the magazine's photo feature of the fabulous five who dazzled us on American Idol and (almost) went all the way.

KATHARINE MCPHEE / American Idol Season 5 Runner-Up
After opening up about her struggle with bulimia, Katharine McPhee became a role model not just for her voice (which Simon Cowell called the "best of the competition" in 2006), but for her courage. The 22-year-old, who has found love with actor Nick Cokas, will release her self-titled debut album on January 30. "I am just the person who didn't want to settle for not having everything I dreamed of," she says.

BO BICE / American Idol Season 4 Runner-Up
Bo Bice, who lost the 2005 title to country sweetheart Carrie Underwood, has been enjoying his family life with wife, Caroline Fisher, and 15-month-old son, Aiden. The rocker is also working on a follow-up to his 2005 chart-topping debut, The Real Thing. "They allow me to go out and pretend I'm a rock star for three-quarters of the year, and when I get home, they ground me," said the candid, often self-deprecating Bo Bice.

DIANA DEGARMO / American Idol Season 3 Runner-Up
Second to Fantasia Barrino in 2004, DeGarmo released her debut album (Blue Skies) at only 17 years of age. She's found greater footing, however, in the field of musical theater. "It's led me ... where I want to be, a singer for the people," she told the Dallas Morning News in July. Diana DeGarmo won raves last year as Penny Pingleton in Broadway's "Hairspray," and is back with the show after doing a summer tour with Brooklyn: "The Musical."

CLAY AIKEN / American Idol Season 2 Runner-Up
Yes, we are forced to do a double-take every time we're reminded he didn't win. Ask the "Claymates" - his legion of fans - and they'll tell you the same. The 28-year-old North Carolinan, who recently released his third album, A Thousand Different Ways, is known for his sharp wit and big heart. And oh, that voice. But there's something else Clay Aiken would like to accomplish: starting a family. "I want to be a father so badly," he told People in September.

JUSTIN GUARINI / American Idol Season 1 Runner-Up
He once described his post-American Idol career path as a "free fall," but despite his setbacks, Justin Guarini (who lost to Kelly Clarkson in the show's 2002 first season) hasn't given up. He's currently at work on a follow-up to his recently released jazz album, Stranger Things Have Happened, and is filming a comedy, Fast Girl. "To be able to go around the country and keep making music, the one overriding emotion I have is gratitude," he said.

David Della Terza is the creator of the website VoteForTheWorst.com. To say he doesn't like American Idol would be putting it lightly.

The man hates our favorite show.

He recently talked to Buddytv.com about reasons why. Click here to read the entire interview - and read more below to find out whether or not he hates ALL Idols:

We don't loathe all of the contestants, we love certain people from the show. We love the Brenna Gethers, the Kevin Covaises... people who just entertain us and remember this is just a silly television show. I personally love Brenna, Kevin, Taylor, Scott Savol... just about everyone we've voted for. I hate Kellie Pickler though. She's obnoxious.

And as much as I love bad music, there's absolutely no way I would subject my poor ears to Claiken's Christmas music. Though just so I don't get an inbox full of angry letters from idiot Claymates... Man, I love Clay Aiken's album. It's so... OK, I can't do it.