THEATER

Achin’ Aiken

Clay Aiken is sore from rehearsing for 'Spamalot,' and now he's sore at us.

By Ramin Setoodeh | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jan 11, 2008 | Updated: 6:41  p.m. ET Jan 11, 2008

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  • Posted By: Deeb @ 06/02/2008 11:39:41 AM

    Oh Clay why don't you come out already! Its gay pride Month....what better time?

  • Posted By: Deeb @ 06/02/2008 11:38:35 AM

    Oh Clay come out already!!!!!

  • Posted By: creon @ 03/11/2008 8:49:29 AM

    Conceded, he may have *effeminate* traits... But, elementary logic easily tells us that:
    Effeminacy does not equate to Homosexuality. To wit (operative words being *non-conformance* vs *attraction*),

    Effeminacy -> non-conformance to traditional masculine traits and behaviors
    Homosexuality -> a sexual attraction to (or sexual relations with) persons of the same sex


    "One thing I've found of people in the public eye, either you're a womanizer or you've got to be gay. Since I'm neither one of those, people are completely concerned about me." -Clay Aiken

    "It's about being accountable to myself and making sure that I maintain principles and values and don't compromise myself inorder to be what society wants to be a popstar, what people think a popstar is..." -Clay Aiken

    Folks, FYI, he has high set of principles and convictions... He was raised in a spiritual way (remember him being a Southern Baptist - a congregation having strict moral standards).

    Guess what: he is not a womanizer, does not drink neither smoke and other *stereotype pop image* what-have-you. BUT him following good moral standards make him gay? Come on!

  • Posted By: creon @ 03/11/2008 8:26:06 AM

    This issue has been going on for the past 5years BUT NEVER has Clay been proven to be GAY... I believe Clay has already SAID and PROVEN that he's not gay (for the nth time).

    Come on bigots, get a life.

  • Posted By: houserulz73 @ 01/19/2008 2:38:44 AM

    Kelly Ripa is not Barbara Walters or Dan Rather. She wasnt interviewing the Dali Llama or the President. It was Emmett freakin Smith for shaking his butt and winning a cheesy trophy!! They laughed, she laughed...Clay said several times when am I gonna get a chance to talk? Warning!! A few years off the soaps and she got real full of herself..If shes such a germaphob, why did she do the same thing to Regis earlier in the year? And the 3 kids thing, please, I'm more worried about my 4 kids giving me something...And I'm sure wherever Clays hands have been, he's not some slob who doen't wash!! She didnt say anything to him the rest of the show, after the show..call him privately that weekend to discuss it..she waited until Monday morning to blast him on national tv..knowing Clay it probably hurt his feelings even more so...Shame on Kelly for not handling the sitatuation better...And as far as bullying her...yeah sure, that has Clay written all over it...he probably woke up that morning and said to himself..hmmm who can I bully today? AHA!! Kelly Ripa!! She'll never suspect!! Yeah, he's so evil that way...DUH!! I guess she didnt think her speech through before she called the View, maybe kinda like Clay didnt think her reaction through in the first place? This has gone on long enough, let it go..as long as he's happy, healthy, safe, and loves to sing for us all...that's all anyone need be worried about...I'm just saying appreciate him for his gift now, before he gets fed up and decides all the interigations aren't worth the hassle!!

    • Posted By: observer101 @ 01/22/2008 9:52:48 PM

      Chances are if the guy is gay....hes not very hygenic. I wouldnt want to shake a gay mans hand without thinking where it has been...As far as him being happier? Stats dont look good for gays being happier, they seem to get more suicidal the more promiscuous they get. As for healthier?...Time will catch him offguard...and we all will hear that he has a mystery medical emergenecy, that will eventually be related to his hygenic ways. HINT HINT....lastly he sings for money....Im sure hes not giving away tickets because of his love for the art. Ofcourse not he wants the loot.

      • Posted By: coolmom @ 01/23/2008 12:38:49 PM

        Wow, observer101 - What an insightful posting. Do you make such idiotic generalizations about all types of people different than yourself, or are you one of those Larry Craig types who just innocently taps his foot while sitting in a public toilet, not meaning anything by it? ("HINT HINT")

        • Posted By: observer101 @ 01/24/2008 8:16:05 PM

          Umm hint hint.. no...Obviously you are a sheltered person to think that male homosexuals have hygenic habits. I for one would not want to go shaking the hand of a practicing homosexual. You as wise as you sound should go ahead a shake ones hand then make your children dinner. And think to yourself what a nice fellow. You are obviously one of those "*** hags" as the gay ppl so proudly call you. You like them because they are soooo cutesie and call you "girlfriend" and compliment you on your cloths... then go on and on IN the work place and LOUDLY go on about there nightly escapades as if everyone wants to hear about there nasty sojourns, then behind your back make fun of you and make the moooves on your man. Go ahead defend them...Its wrong, immoral, and they really care nothing of themselves except to get attention, and when they dont get it cry and whine that everyone is against them. And if they still dont get it they commit suicide :)

          • Posted By: linebackermuscle @ 02/09/2008 6:08:21 PM

            observer101, if you are'nt an argument for abortion, i dont know what is....and you only "practice"if you dont know how, kisses

  • Posted By: linebackermuscle @ 01/19/2008 11:51:06 AM

    wow! what a dick! hes NOT a star and hes NOT that interesting, my question is , why did newsweek even bother with him? there are so many more real actors on brodway that would be much bett interview subjects. WOW clay you are an idiot!

    • Posted By: mamas2ndtolast @ 01/22/2008 5:26:04 PM

      Obviously the muscle you use the most is not between your ears. The line of questioning Newsweek chose to ask was very disappointing and shows an immaturity that seems to be spreading throughout our newsmedia as well as the general population. Grow up people.

      • Posted By: linebackermuscle @ 02/09/2008 6:01:50 PM

        it sounded like a regualr questionto me and i am sure theinterviewer would have move on to the other "so called accomplishments"hes had if he didnt act like such a DICK! i suppose letterman was not supposed to ask la hilton about jail.or ms stewart about her incident...puleeze who is immature herenot to mention high!

  • Posted By: DanJack @ 01/17/2008 1:40:26 AM

    Gaykin is a moron.

    • Posted By: aagbe357 @ 01/31/2008 7:40:09 PM

      And what does calling Clay a name make you? Pond scum comes to mind very quickly. Now how did that feel DanJack--like it?

  • Posted By: speedolvnkane @ 01/22/2008 4:30:24 PM

    Get over it! It's GAY-ken! Stop taking it so personal.

    • Posted By: aagbe357 @ 01/31/2008 7:38:13 PM

      Oh aren't you the clever one--boring already. What have you done lately?

  • Posted By: observer101 @ 01/24/2008 8:25:03 PM

    Why is it women think that gay dudes are so glamorous and cute?..Is it because they are unattainable to women that they fall for them? The feminine side? It always seems that women are glued to every word that a gay guy spouts about his nights out with dudes and there little escapades....its sick.

    • Posted By: aagbe357 @ 01/31/2008 7:36:50 PM

      Are you just a bit jealous of all the women who do love Clay--what, no love left for you? Try being more Claylike--smart, witty, funny, talented, charitable, oh yeah and gorgeous--what women love, OK, I left off those adorable freckles cause I know there's no way to get those--but you can aspire to some of the other things that endears Clay to us!

  • Posted By: Max Frost @ 01/16/2008 10:31:51 AM

    Just what Broadway needs. A self-loathing homophobic lounge singer going into a show he calls the "dumbest thing" he's ever seen. And on top of that, has no idea what Monty Python is. I'm sure that the cast, which has worked hard for years on this show, are going to really loved him for it.

    • Posted By: Cheryl502 @ 01/17/2008 1:37:26 PM

      Who are you? You have no clue who Clay is. Not gay, not a lounge singer. Why don't you just wait for the reviews to hear how he does in Spamalot. It has already been printed that he is a talented great addition to the cast.

      • Posted By: aagbe357 @ 01/31/2008 7:33:55 PM

        Hey genius--guess what? The cast does already love him. It's been reported already. That's just Clay--purely lovable.

  • Posted By: henrywillett @ 01/15/2008 7:09:44 PM

    I've always been rather indifferent to this guy. But he seems like a complete jerk from t his interview. PMS much?

    • Posted By: aagbe357 @ 01/31/2008 7:32:18 PM

      Right, and what gives you the right to judge Clay anyway--are you a huge star being pestered by some idiot reporter. Looks like you throw stones quickly yourself and this isn't even being directed to you!

  • Posted By: aagbe357 @ 01/31/2008 7:19:51 PM

    Clay just won't suffer the media fools and will cut off an interview when it turns tabloid, and I say, good for him. He is smart, intelligent. funny and witty and usually gives a great interview, but who can blame him with those sophmoric questions. I just love this guy more and more--and totally respect him.

  • Posted By: MLeLe @ 01/25/2008 4:30:00 PM

    Why is it that insecure guys always think cute guys are gay?
    Note to Newsweek: When you interview a professional, send a professional!

  • Posted By: MLeLe @ 01/25/2008 4:28:46 PM

    Why is it that insecure guys always think cute guys are gay?
    Note to Newsweek: When you interview a professional, send a professional!

  • Posted By: ceci @ 01/24/2008 8:20:50 PM

    I'm not a clay atkin fan but it's sad to see that newsweek would stoop to that level. It's really sad that sexual orientation is more important then anything else he has done. If he is or isn't who really cares! that has nothing to with anything he has accomplished in his life. The only problem I see is that with him, along with other 'idol' people is that they turn their back on it when they should be greatful otherwise they would never be where they are in now.

  • Posted By: BettyL @ 01/24/2008 1:58:57 AM

    Imagine, a performer who came from virtually nothing to be a huge success and trying to maintain his integrity and values - and not stoop to the level of the Hollywood gossipmongers and airheads, and now Newsweek reporters. I guess this interviewer just couldn't stand it. Plus, when a person agrees to be interviewed, the parameters and topics are discussed beforehand and it is expected that both parties abide by it. It is unethical to change or redirect the questioning on either side. To do so is unprofessional, disrespectful and rude. That's the point, and Clay demonstrated his integrity by not allowing this to happen.

  • Posted By: grammyv @ 01/20/2008 7:48:49 PM

    Posted By: dval2930@aol.com

    I am totally dismayed by the way your interview of Clay Aiken was conducted. I am 70 year old grandmother and a dedicated fan of his. I have been to 3 of his concerts, read his book, read books and articles that other people have written about him. I also watched the Kelly Ripa show that Clay co-hosted. I, too, along with other viewers felt that she was out-of-line with her comment. She may not have realized how it would appear and perhaps didn't mean it the way it was said, but it was inappropriate. Clay is a gentleman, is quite articulate and funny. He is charismatic, is extremely well-liked by his audiences of ALL AGES. What you see is what you get. When I saw his concert in 2006 he was extremely ill and still performed a 2 1/2 hr. show - sitting on a stool, because he didn't want to disappoint the audience. I have great respect for him as a performer and an individual of great character. Your interviewer should have asked intelligent questions about his UNICEF work - his family, etc.. READ HIS BOOK - it's well worth the time.

    • Posted By: observer101 @ 01/22/2008 9:40:22 PM

      Im sure he enjoys your social security money. Maybe you should save for something more worth your while. I am sorry if I sound disrespectful toward you, but seeing you defend someone who could really care less about his rise to fame and how he got there is just sad. Garth Brooks, Hannah Montana, Kelly Clarkson and others that really DO enjoy being there onstage is more like it. Hope that helps you save a little loot. And enjoy TRUE artists.

      • Posted By: grammyv @ 01/23/2008 11:43:34 PM

        Apparently you did not get the main point of my comments!!!!!!!!!!

  • Posted By: june_bug_777 @ 01/22/2008 5:22:06 PM

    He sounds so ungrateful for all of the wonderful opportunities he's been given. What a whiner.

  • Posted By: Pete80 @ 01/22/2008 4:31:36 PM

    Well, I don't work for Newsweek so I am free to use the phrase "hissy fit" when referring to this article. Grow up and be a man Clay. The more dishonest you are the more insincere your music is. It will be your down fall.

  • Posted By: susaneward @ 01/20/2008 3:47:06 PM

    It seems to me that interviewers are people of little intellegence since they can't seem to form an original question but rely on gossip!! If I had the chance to talk to some of these people I can tell you I would'n't waste my time or thiers on stuff that was yesterday trash!! I vote for asking the entertainers intelligent questions!!

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