One thing we've learned about Clay Aiken fans:

They're quick to come to their hero's defense.

On Monday, the music blog Idolator ran a poll in its "Cover-Song Showcase Showdown," pitting Raleigh, N.C., homeboy Aiken against rapper Joe Budden.

The poll asked which cover of Mr. Mister's "Broken Wings" is superior, the version by Clay Aiken on his new album, A Thousand Different Ways, or Joe Budden's interesting freestyle rap version.

By late Tuesday afternoon, Budden was outpolling Aiken 63.1 percent to 39.9 percent, with fewer than 200 total votes cast.

Figuring Clay Nation could use a nudge, we posted a link to the contest in the "On the Beat" blog and a challenge to the Claymates: "So are you really going to let this stand?"

Two hours later, the results were (not surprisingly) dramatically different -- a total landslide with Clay Aiken getting 91.6 percent to Budden's 8.4 percent.

By Thursday afternoon, our man had racked up more than 1,600 votes, while Budden had yet to crack 100. Take that, Joe!

A former American Idol finalist has come out of the closet.

R.J. Helton, 25, announced he is gay while on SIRIUS Satellite Radio host Larry Flick's show "OutQ in the Morning" on Wednesday.

During the on-air interview, Flick asked Helton – who'd been in the top five on the first season of American Idol – why he was no longer performing inspirational music.

"I can have a faith, but can't be who I want to be. So a lot of it was just personal things I needed to overcome and just be proud of who I was," Helton replied. "Just because I am gay does not mean I can't love God."

"Well there you go," said Flick. "Congratulations. "This is something that I wasn't sure you were going to talk about on the air today, so what made you decide to come out?"

Said Helton: "Today, this morning, three seconds ago … I've never even said that. It feels good."

The announcement made news on the same day that Grey's Anatomy star T.R. Knight told People magazine:

"I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there. While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."

Devoted as they are, Clay Aiken fans not only honor their favorite singer, but each other! In the Claymmys (the group's annual contest for best pictures, stories, blends, etc.), our very own Idol Fanatic won the People's Choice award for best story. Her account of what it means to be a Clay Aiken fan, entitled "My Secret Life as a Middle-Aged Groupie" won out.

We've repurposed it below. Enjoy:

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"I’ve got the music in me, sweet music in me; I’ve got the muuuuu-sic in MEEEEE!"

These words could well be my life’s theme, as I have always liked or been involved in some sort of music. From the ear-splitting screeches of Violin 1 in fourth grade, to the constant practicing of piano and flute through middle school and on into college, I have been playing or singing since I was young.

So why haven’t you heard of me on Broadway, or seen my name on the Pollstar charts? Well, let’s just say that while the music may be IN me, what comes OUT of me isn’t always something you'd pay to hear! God just asks of us to make a joyful NOISE unto the Lord. He doesn’t say anything about it being on tune, in tempo, or in perfect harmony.

That is why I pay to hear others who are in tune, play magnificently, or can do the soft shoe while singing brilliantly. Concerts are a source of joy for me. Be they rock or classical, I have always shelled out the bucks for the musical acts that intrigued me.

Chicago, Three Dog Night, Bob Dylan (in Paris, no less!), Little River Band, Elton John, the Beach Boys, Billy Joel, Simon and Garfunkel, Gordon Lightfoot, Bare Naked Ladies, Train, Jars of Clay, Kelly Clarkson, Sandi Patty, Point of Grace, Itzhak Perlman -- the list of performers I’ve seen in concert goes on and and on.

I've purchased many albums, cassettes, and now CDs of these artists, and even have a deck of Beatles trading cards tucked away in a safe deposit box. While I may purchase a ticket to see a favorite artist if they pass through town, I’ve never made the effort to travel long distances to see them in concert.

If they come, I’ll go. If not, then I’ll catch them the next time they pass through town.

So what possessed me, in 2004, to get on a plane the day after Thanksgiving to fly to a concert? Two words: Clay Aiken.

My name is Michelle, and I am a card carrying member of the Clay Nation -- a Claymate, for short! It all started out in such innocent fashion. Season One of American Idol sucked my family into the vortex of reality TV, and we couldn’t wait for Season Two to begin.

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The lovely Katharine McPhee traded the American Idol stage for the fashion runway at Dina Bar-El's show on Tuesday during L.A. Fashion Week.

McPhee, 22, dazzled the crowd as she pranced down the catwalk with Bar-El at her side, while her rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" played in the background during the finale of the show.

The McPheever was clearly in top form after a tumultuous summer which saw her fracture her foot, suffer from bouts of bronchitis and laryngitis, and reveal she was once bulimic. Katharine glowed in a beige gown featuring a beaded halter empire waist and floating chiffon bottom.

McPhee and Bar-El have been friends ever since the designer created gowns for the budding popstar during American Idol. When not showcasing her inner supermodel, McPhee has been busy recording her debut album which is due out in November 28 -- right after Taylor Hicks' record debuts.

Here are Katharine McPhee pictures from the event. Note that her boyfriend, Nick Cokas, is visible in at least one of them. Good to see they're still on! Click to enlarge:

It's been a Chris Daughtry-filled day here at American Idol Worship, so we figured why not cap it off with this classic image from earlier this year. As you can see, the one-time finalist and current lead singer of Daughtry is seriously pumped up after completing an inspired performance on our favorite show:

Next to the rocker, of course, is the popular American Idol host who's kicking some butt in our latest poll. In this picture, however, Ryan Seacrest looks less like the super cool MC we're used to and more like... an MC who's somewhat confused.

Maybe he's just daydreaming about on-again, off-again girlfriend Shana Wall. Who knows. All we do know is that this pic is a definite keeper.

You may remember Ruben Studdard.

The portly crooner with the sheepish grin bested Clay Aiken for American Idol's second season crown. But Ruben's gleam was quickly dulled by some seriously stiff competition from lower-ranking American Idol standouts (including Aiken) and subsequent Idol winners.

Studdard is intent on proving his staying power on The Return, which hits stores today.

He says the title is a reference to the fact that many people thought he had not recorded since his debut album, Soulful, was released after he won the TV contest three years ago.

A more-quietly received disc of gospel tunes, I Need an Angel, was also issued during that time.

The title cut, "The Return (of the Velvet Teddy Bear)," is an affirmation of that statement -- along with a statement of Studdard's romantic prowess.

"I meet expectations, better yet, exceed them," Studdard boasts amid a sensual, shifting beat. It's not quite SexyBack, but the song does set a confident tone for the rest of the disc, writes the Houston Chronicle.

Lush first single "Change Me" casts Ruben Studdard as a lover wounded by his partner's hurtful remarks, though it also showcases a welcome sense of humor.

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This is how a city gets ready for its close-up.

Three hours before University of Phoenix Stadium made its prime-time debut Monday, 2006 American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry (below) -- the North Carolina rocker with a shaved head and goatee -- belted out his practice version of the national anthem.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, the Cardinals cheerleaders dressed in sweats and went through their routines while ESPN reporters filmed live shots on the sideline. The flame-spitting machines used for the Cardinals' entrance were tested.

Then the video came on the scoreboard. Hank Williams Jr. singing the "Monday Night Football" theme song played to an empty stadium.

The warm-ups were necessary. The "Monday Night Football" game against the Chicago Bears marked only the fourth time the Cardinals have appeared on the broadcast at home since 1988.

While ESPN's fleet of seven production trucks and 400 people went through their final pre-game checks, Mark Carroll wandered around the so-called "Great Lawn" outside of Entrance No. 1.

Carroll, a Scottsdale resident and 1989 University of Arizona grad, seemed awed by the abundance of tents and tailgaters that had arrived in the early afternoon.

"That's what we've been saying all season long — it's so un-Cardinal-like," said the season ticket-holder of 10 years. "It's exciting. Something's gonna happen. Who knows what it's gonna be? Maybe a Cardinals win."

Until this year, the Cardinals rarely sold out games, meaning Phoenix fans could not even watch their team's home games on television.

There is no doubt the $455 million stadium was the reason for the prime-time trip. Monday night, the sell-out crowd waved white towels — literally, not figuratively — and shouted down the 20 percent of the crowd decked out in navy and orange.

ESPN constructed two stages to accommodate Daughtry's appearance, one on a bridge behind the end zone and one in the parking lot.

Celebrities in attendance ran the gamut from the gorgeous (Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher) to the gluttonous (Charles Barkley and Tom Arnold).

Unfortunately, Matt Leinart and the Cardinals squandered a 20-point lead and fell to the visiting Bears. But it was still a night to remember in Phoenix.

We've received word that the new band, Daughtry, is officially formed and performed five songs in Los Angeles over the weekend.

The band, which of course takes its name from frontman and American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry, was hand-picked for him by his record label.

None of his original band members made it to the new band, although they were rumored to have auditioned. However, three of the four chosen musicians reportedly hail from Chris' native North Carolina. Very interesting.

Below are his new band members, according to MrDaughtry.com, a popular Chris fan site. The new lineup for the sure-to-be kick-ass rock ensemble:

• Jeremy, 21, guitar (single), North Carolina
• Josh, 36, lead guitar (married), Carlsbad, CA
• JP, 20s, bass (married), North Carolina
• Joey, 20s, drummer (single), North Carolina

We've got the scoop on Taylor Hicks' highly-anticipated debut album, with quotes from the man himself. Courtesy of a Taylor Hicks fan site -- cleverly and fittingly titled Gray Charles -- this is the latest on his record. Below, the Soul Patrol king dishes on what he can expect from him in the coming months, and what he's been up to lately...

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On his progress and the album's sound:

“Everything is happening -- we’re really moving forward with the album. I think that after today we’ll have nine songs that the band has laid down. We’re recording drums, keyboards, guitar and bass live -- the foundation for the song. I’ll do the vocal overdubs later but I’m in there singing my ass off -- old school style with energy.”

On the overall feeling about this record [due out November 14] now that he's really had the chance to sink his teeth into it for awhile:

“This record definitely grooves, it’s a groovy ass record. The thread running through the whole thing is that it grooves. It’s pretty cool man, the more I hear the songs the more I think ‘It’s a Groove Thing’, but I’m conscious that I want to make it radio friendly at the same time. I’ve taken the whole idea of my sound, what made me 'me' and pushed it towards the groove end of things while always thinking about being radio friendly. I’m spending 8-9 hours a day in the studio.”

On performing his new tracks in concert:

“This stuff is gonna be great fun to play live and I’ve got my hands in all of it. I’m listening to the mix, putting my opinions in -- it’s a great give and take. The whole thing is gonna sound like what a Booker T and the MG’s record would sound like it it were made in 2007. For example, I’ve taken a couple of my songs and completely grooved them out. The spin that I had before doesn’t compare to what the sound is today. I should have grooved them out in the beginning, the songs were always leaning that way so really I’m just pushing them in the direction they want to go.”

On how he spends his down time:

“Normal stuff, going to the cleaners, trying to get outside a bit. Honestly, I don’t think I’m completely rested from the tour yet. As soon as I got back from my little vacation I was in the rehearsal studio the next morning then I did a private function the next day. Usually, you’d get more than five days off after a three month tour. Hey, I’m not complaining I’m just trying to get my feet back under me as much as I can and get acclimated to West Coast time after spending the last part of the American Idol tour on the east coast.”

Closing words of wisdom:

“Everything’s cool man, it’s all cool.”

The remainder of Bo Bice's 2006 tour has been cancelled due to the singer's health problems and this month's emergency surgery. Please contact the location where you purchased tickets for refund information. No rescheduled dates can be confirmed at this time, but we'll have the latest for you as the information becomes available.