Who is Clay Aiken
Clayton “Clay” Aiken is a singer, actor, and politician from Raleigh, North Carolina. He was born on November 30, 1978. Aiken gained fame as the runner-up on the second season of American Idol. He has a background in singing, having performed in school and church choirs, as well as local theater.
He attended Leesville Road High School and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Before his rise to fame, Aiken worked for the YMCA and is a Baptist.
Is Clay Aiken Married?
Clay Aiken has been in the media spotlight not only for his career but also for his relationships. In 2008, he publicly came out as gay and has since been in three public relationships. He dated former Survivor contestant Reed Kelly from 2008 to 2010, followed by a relationship with Devin Finn in 2010. Aiken’s relationship with Jeff Walters lasted from 2010 to 2011.
Before coming out, Aiken had a son named Parker Foster Aiken with his “dear friend” Jaymes Foster Levy. Their son was conceived through in vitro fertilization, and they are not believed to have been romantically involved. As of May 2023, Aiken is believed to be single.
Since revealing his sexuality, Aiken has become a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has spoken out against anti-gay bullying on Capitol Hill.
When was Clay Aiken on American Idol?
Clay Aiken rose to fame as the runner-up on the second season of American Idol, which aired in 2003. He finished second to Ruben Studdard. Aiken impressed viewers with his performances of songs like “Always and Forever” by Heatwave, as well as hits by Elton John and Neil Sedaka.
Although he narrowly missed out on the title, Aiken’s talent and charisma made him a fan favorite. He returned to the show for special appearances in later seasons and narrated the second season of American Idol Rewind. In May 2023, he and Studdard returned for the season 21 finale.
Where is Clay Aiken now?
Currently, Clay Aiken has reunited with Ruben Studdard for a singing tour to celebrate 20 years since their TV debuts. Aiken has released six studio albums and has also pursued acting, with appearances in TV shows like Phineas and Ferb and The Office. He has also performed on Broadway in Monty Python’s Spamalot.
In addition to his entertainment career, Aiken has ventured into politics. He ran as the Democratic candidate for North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District but was unsuccessful. He also ran for the state’s 4th Congressional District in 2022 but finished third in the primary.
While Clay Aiken’s career has taken him in various directions, his talent and advocacy work continue to make an impact.