Clay Aiken is a man of many hats. No, I don’t mean his infamous bucket hat or his fedora. I mean he is able to do many different tasks and do them all well.
A great example of this happened on May 9, 2008. Clay appeared in the 4th hour of the Today Show and was interviewed by Kathie Lee Gifford. Then, because of the devastating cyclone that hit Myanmar, Clay was called into the MSNBC studios for a quick interview about how UNICEF was handling the care for the country and its people.
Clay’s chat with Kathie Lee Gifford was excellent, but much too short. They chatted about Clay’s adventures on Broadway, but the main focus of the interview was “On My Way Here,” Clays new CD.
Clay told Kathie that his favorite song on the CD was “As Long As We’re Here” including the story about meeting Jaymes and the fact that they both chose the song.
As usual, American Idol was brought up and Clay said how grateful he was for his start on AI. Clay compared the early contestants to today’s group. Clay stated that when he was on AI, the contestants were honing their skills while today’s contestants already have their skills ready.
After answering a few audience questions, Clay ended his interview at NBC……..and then promptly entered the MSNBC studio.
Clay spoke about the devastation in Myanmar on behalf of UNICEF. Clay wanted everyone to know that UNICEF was actually on the ground there working and would continue to do so. Donations to UNICEF will be used correctly because they are right there. Clay was careful to explain that he could not speak to the politics, and would only state that UNICEF was on the ground and working.
On May 3, 2008, Cyclone Nargis devastated the country of Myanmar when winds of up to 135 mph touched land in the densely populated, rice-farming delta in the country. Reports estimated that more than 200,000 people were dead or missing from Cyclone Nargis. Damages totaled to 10 billion dollars; it was the worst natural disaster in Burmese history.
Yet in the critical days following this disaster, Burma’s isolationist regime complicated recovery efforts by delaying the entry of United Nations planes delivering medicine, food, and other supplies into the Southeast Asian nation. The government’s failure to permit entry for large-scale international relief efforts was described by the United Nations as “unprecedented.”
Clay was articulate, well-informed and did an excellent job of representing UNICEF. He is, indeed, a man of many hats.
The following video shows Clay speaking about Myanmar.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaVLYoW5Y7E
musicfan,
Great recollection of 2008 that could easily apply to Clay Aiken, the father, in May 2009.
Have a blast in Vegas!
Caro
What a MAN, Clay Aiken does have many hats!
Gosh…Clay is so articulate when he speaks…. He does his homework, and when asked, he gives an honest opinion… In the interview, he almost seems embarassed to mention his CD…He didn’t bring it up..the interviewer did…
Unicef and the kids of the world are so fortunate to have Clay on their side… I just love this man…
Hugs,
Judy
Clay Aiken–he’s a truly wonderful young man. He does, indeed, fit into any hat that he tries. What a guy 🙂
Clay Aiken IS a man of many hats – and he wears them all well. I am proud to be a fan of this exceptional man!
Whatever hat Clay Aiken wears, he certainly does wear it well.
Thanks for sharing and letting people see what a humble, intelligent, and articulate man he is.
Thanks for your superb continuing coverage of Clay Aiken. He’s a phenomenal talent and human being that you’re helping the world to learn more about.
Clay certainly is a wonderful Unicef Ambassador. He speaks very intelligently about world matters.
I think the reason he didn’t want to speak about the album, was because he was there to talk about what was going on in Myanmar at that time.
He is amazing. I have a hard time walking and chewing gum at the same time.
I do love to hear him talk…….. He is so intelligent.
He is a smart man and it is good to see all that he has done.
I like that he keeps his professional life separate from the UNICEF life.
Another great informative blog about a wonderful man. Always a fun read with lots of memories!
Clay is truely a treasure! Thanks for bringing this back so we could all enjoy it again! One amazing man!
I dont think theres a hat that Clay Aiken CAN’T fit! Thanks for the memories.
I love to hear Clay Aiken sing but I think when he is working with Unicef and especially with children is where he truly shines a light upon the world like no one else can.