It is Sunday Morning and it has been 4 days since the coronation of the new American Idol. And the hoop-la is still going on. Can you believe how many articles have been written about one man’s opinion about another person’s singing. With all the “press” on this story, you would think there had been a murder, an affair, or a celebrity found high in the back of a car. But…..no……..all the fuss is about a humble man who had the nerve to give an opinion. Amazing, isn’t it??
Today is Sunday and for those who are inclined, perhaps a special blessing could be said for an unique young man who had the nerve to answer a question. For the rest of you, perhaps positive thoughts can be a part of your day.
We are going to post a few pictures that might make you remember why you are a fan of Clay Aiken. I hope that each one puts a smile on your face and produces a pull on your heart.
Clay………..those of us at CANN love you and respect you. May your life be filled with joy and love!!
Let’s all remember what is important!!
Those pics made me choke up! Clay is an amazing man and he deserves all the respect and happiness in the world! I have been a fan since day one and I couldn't love the man any more than I do today! Clay, please continue to use your voice…whether it be in your singing, your humanitarian efforts, or just voicing your God given right to an opinion. Love you always and forever!!
BRAVO!!!!!! Clay Aiken isn’t just another gorgeous voice, he’s an amazing amazing human being. Thank you (and the big Standing O Dawg!!!)
He truly is amazing isn’t he??? When Clay has talked…he has followed up with his deeds…
Clay said he wanted to make a difference…and he has….Has his own foundation, is a Unicef Ambassador…supports many causes, especially remember the Broadway Bears…many many things…
This is a good decent man..who just happens to have the best voice on the planet… 6 – 1/2 years later…I love this man more each year…..
I love you Clay Aiken…and thank you CANN for this…This is the Real Clay!!!!!!!
Hugs,
Judy
awww, Thanks guys, Clay Aiken is special isn’t he?
Clay is a class act. Clay, speak up all you like….nobody seems to worry what they say about you. Love you, always.
Oh me – I love everyone one of those pics.
Clay is an amazing person and a very good man.
Clay Aiken is an amazing young man, always has been, always will be.
I love him!
Coming off of AI Clay said he wanted to make a difference. For the past six years he has been doing just as he said he wanted to do. What other idol has done as much? A few are taking Clay’s example and starting to get involved, but more for personal reasons in some cases–even so every little bit helps.
Clay Aiken, I admire you for your honesty, wanting to make a difference in the world(which you are doing by working with UNICEF, and using your voice. It is a shame that your good works are not publicized in the media.
This man truly amazes me. He is so fascinating. He has so many facets that it is hard to pick which one is my favorite. Keep speaking your mind Clay Aiken, I for one love to listen.
Clay Aiken certainly creates a buzz wherever, whatever he does. He is an interesting man and a multifaceted individual.
My admiration and respect continues to grow for Clay Aiken and his charitable endeavors.
Other people gives opinions negative or positive about American Idol, and nobody cares. Clay Aiken gives an opinion and it’s all over the media.
Shame about the negative press – suppose news is boring at the moment and they know the name CLAY AIKEN is enough to have people read – Oh, what power that man has!
The beautiful pictures are a timely reminder of WHAT is important in Clays life 🙂
Thank you for the blog. It’s just amazing to me that all the good things Clay does to help others get barely a whisper, if any mention at all. However, if he responds to a question on his own fan club that the gossips find titallating, it gets lifted and spread all over the place. How sad is that?
This blog is refreshing and put a smile on my face. I’m VERY proud of Clay and proud to be his fan!
sbleu, I was just thinking about your post. It’s unbelievable that this man’s single and opinion could sparkle media frenzy. How he could wake up trolls and haters and former fans from their hibernation is beyond me.
He is indeed a special man! I just hope and pray he has not done him and his career harm in any way!
I applaud him for speaking up his mind!
You go Clay Aiken!
Clay really is a very special person. There is something about him that makes people interested in what he does. I think it’s a shame that the negative,what little there is, gets more attention than the myriad of positive.
I not only think Clay Aiken is ok, I believe he fine! He ignores the crap and goes on with his productive life and career. The Best is Yet to Come!!
Wonderful pictures! There are so many inspirational pictures of Clay Aiken taken over the years of his UNICEF ambassadorship, foundation work, and other events. Love the man, and would fight for his right to express his opinion, just like any other American citizen.
I am heart sick at the nasty vile vitriol spewed at such a good human being for simply answering a question asked of him on his private board. I am vastly disappointed in the human race that it could produce so many undesirables who crawl in these spaces to feed some sick need to pound out bigotry and hate towards someone who has contributed so very much in the way positive reinforcement and support for children’s causes allover the world. I am amazed this species can stay afloat with so much hate on board. I LOVE THIS MAN who remains true to himself. Who keeps fighting the good fight and once in awhile DARES to speak his mind openly when asked. And I will be right here supporting this magnificent talent and heart for a loooong time to come! Clay Aiken may not be cool, he may be nerdy, he may be opinionated, but he is no poser. He is the real deal and I find THAT refreshing!
What is interesting is that these very same people will defend, with their last breath, their right to say the most hateful, derogatory things imaginable about Clay… but he better not whisper anything slightly negative about anybody. Hypocrites much?
Clay Aiken is in a class by himself….. A perfecly imperfect human being, who is not afraid to voice his opinion (when asked), even if it is contradictory to the popular and/or current flavor of the day.
His 6′ 1″ frame stands tall and proud against all the barbs thrown at him, and he just keeps keeping on.
I’m proud of him. And proud to call myself a fan.
Just for the record – I totally agree with everything he said in his latest two blogs! You go, Clay, don’t let the ‘internet freaks’ get you down. 🙂
One word from one fellow AI means more than just a word from an AI fan because it will be in the media. Clay is very insensitive and not careful about his words. Next time, i suggest he think first first and be careful about his words because people will get offended and will result in a backlash.
I disagree. Clay is entitled to his opinion. He is not the first AI alumni to voice a negative opinion. Just the one who seems to get the most reaction from it. People are free to disagree with him, but I think it is wrong to expect him to shut up and never say anything. And I don’t think he was being insensitive. He qualified his comment thoroughly and even came back and apologized to Adam. But in the end, he is entitled to voice his opinion just like everyone else.
I also have no doubt that at some point Adam will be voicing opinions of his own. What are all his fans going to do then? Tell him to shut up too?
The music business is brutal as Simon so often reminds the AI contestants . If they can’t take criticism they need to do something else for a living . Adam has a lot of experience and has survived much worse than one opinion on one song by one man . Simon soundly insulted Adam . Dee Snyder dissed him a bit too . Elliott Yamin said Kris was bland . Where is the outrage ?
Clay Aiken have every right to say his opinion. However, when he is clearly rude and offensive to another person, he needs to own up to it and apologize. His comments about Adam Lambert were truly mean and not constructive at all.
Having an opinion, and insulting someone are two different things.
Keep up with the times. He did apologize. And I thought his comment was constructive. It certainly made his point! For many, the performance was painful. I think Adam is well aware of it. Heck, Simon Cowell didn’t mince words over his opinion of it! I’m sure Adam isn’t losing any sleep over it.
Now, it’s the turn for all the bloggers, journalists, and TV personalities to apologize to Clay for all the rude and nasty things they have said about him over the years. Where are all you people to tell them to shut up?
Clay NEVER said anything offensive about Adam, the person. He stated that he did not like one particular performance of Adam’s. There is nothing wrong with that and honestly, that was a terrible rendition of that song. Adam may have had other great songs, but that particular one was bad.
Clay never said he didn’t like Adam. The point of his whole blog in the first place was about the show AI and how they pimp certain contestants whether right or wrong. It’s been going on for years and this year it was Adam as the chosen one. Clay does not know Adam and clearly said he didn’t. He commented on a song only.
But Clay did apologize for using ‘colorful’ words to describe the performance.
All publicity is good publicity. Here they have a new idol and the talk is still about an idol (2nd place) from 6 years ago. He is the musical artist for the 21st Century. What he says, what he thinks will always matter. He has credibily. He is not only talented but a very smart man. He is now part of entertainment history. Just waitng for more music.
You know, when you look at people’s reactions to Clay’s opinion (whether it is negative or positive – especially the negative) and how strongly they seem to feel about it — it only indicates that they seem to feel that Clay’s opinion is important. That it carries some weight. I’m not sure why, but that is the impression I am getting about this whole controversy. The more they rail about how Clay should be careful of what he says because of how it might affect Adam, the more importance they attribute to his opinion. Interesting thought, don’t you think?
I am still amazed at the amount of publicity Clay’s statement has produced. I guess what it does is prove how much a celebrity Clay Aiken really is.
He apologized………now where are all the apologies from those who have said much worse to him.
Apparently that is what it proves as I don’t recall Blake Lewis’ very public, ‘mean spirited’ (subject to opinion) of Sanjaya M. and he (Blake) was making the comments as the two of them were doing the AI Tour and afterwards. And as mentioned up top, no one seems to care what Elliot had to say about Kris.
They care what Clay Aiken says/thinks; they just don’t want to admit it. To me it’s the same old bullying type behavior Clay dealt with when in childhood. The difference is that the adult bullies wrap themselves in suits and dresses and gives themselves an ‘air of respectability’ to try to make it appear that their bullying is legitimate.
Clay will Never get a public apology from the media, AI or probably anyone else. It’s been that way all along hasn’t it?? No wonder Clay chooses to live in his hometown of Raleigh – keeps him away from all the ‘hot mess’ that’s always out there about him.
I looked at the pictures above and wondered what the world has become. Clay has been helping people all of his adult life and never seeks publicity for it. But, he says one small comment and all that goes down the drain for some. How very sad.
How do some of these people look in the miorror?
There are people who live on hate. They spew hate every day of the week. You see them on lots of blogs and websites making their comments. The fact that Clay gets more than his share of this “hate” is sad. He’s a man trying to make a difference, make a living, and live his life. He wanted it private, but the media wouldn’t leave him alone.
… Clay Aiken stated his opinion on his own private board cos he was asked over and over again about Adam and Kris. Then the so called-Clay fans who are now also Adam fans decided to spread it around! Amazing! I had no problem at all with his first blog… he didn’t have to appologise, and now that he has, some are saying it just wasn’t enough. The guy just doesn’t get a break does he.
smac says:
05/24/2009 at 12:22 pm
I am heart sick at the nasty vile vitriol spewed at such a good human being for simply answering a question asked of him on his private board. I am vastly disappointed in the human race that it could produce so many undesirables who crawl in these spaces to feed some sick need to pound out bigotry and hate towards someone who has contributed so very much in the way positive reinforcement and support for children’s causes allover the world. I am amazed this species can stay afloat with so much hate on board.
———————————————
Many big turds do actually float.
Just sayin’. 😉
Because anonymity protects the vile, putrid lowlifes of the Internet, they can say vile, putrid things. These bitter pinheads get all puffy-chested and strut like a peacock when they hit ‘enter’. All they actually do, though, is expose themselves as the ugly, angry, self-hating half-wits they really are.
I have to laugh at their utter desperation for attention. There are certainly better ways of seeking validation, no?
Screw ’em. May their heads be infested with lice and their beds infested with bedbugs….and maybe a scorpion or two. Heh.
Oh, yeah…
Great pix, CANN.
Great FIRST blog, Clay.
Answering the question “Clay Aiken-Are You Ok?”, I believe Clay is totally ok. It’s just a shame that there was so much of a stir up because of an opinion he was certainly entitled to. As he basically said in his latest blog, he doesn’t expect everyone to like or agree with him. However, that does not justify some of the hate directed to him over his comments.
I believe he will continue on with his advocacy for children and the disabled, and he will continue on with his career for many years to come. Like has often been said, the best is yet to come!
In answer to the question, I think Clay is just fine. He gave an opinion of a performance of a song. I have to agree with him on that performance. My jaw was hanging open throughout the whole thing. Clay’s blogged about malaria, Uganda kids being forced to fight, Tsunami ravaged regions, education in war torn countries and none of that ever ends up on the front page. It goes to show where our Country’s priorities lie.
Thank you for posting those beautiful pictures of Clay helping others. In all the hoopla surrounding the ‘hasty remark heard ’round the world’, it’s great to sit back and really see the man who works quietly and unselfishly to brighten the lives of children around the world. It’s a shame, no it’s pathetic, that those efforts don’t get anywhere near the press that this AI foolishness has gotten.
I cannot believe all the hoop-la that was made of his blog. Good grief, he stated his opinion. He has the right to state it, especially on his own fan club board. I do not understand the people who got so upset. I don’t think Clay is giving it a second thought. He did not do it to hurt anyone’s feelings- he is just not that type of person. I hope he is still away -wherever he is- and having a great time. I feel so blessed to be his fan. I would like to see all these almost 6,000 sites spend some time writing about his concern for children all over this world and his numerous charitable activities. I hope he is very happy and not spending a second on all of this mess. Thank you for always making this a positive place to be.
Thanks for the great pics. It’s so nice to see them again. Too bad all the “journalists” who were so quick to pounce didn’t look at the overall picture. Clay has been sitting back quietly over the years letting all the garbage pass him by but he says just one thing and all hell breaks loose.
He is a bigger man than most and it’s no wonder we all adore him so much.
Thank you for posting these beautiful pictures. This is the real Clay Aiken the world should see. It’s sad that a personal opinion can overshadow all of the great things he has accomplished.
For someone whose 15 minutes are supposed to be up Clay sure did get a lot of attention.
Can someone point out where he’s been apologized to for all the crap said about him personally over the past 6 years?
I love Clay and I like Adam. This whole episode has been a nightmare blown way out of proportion.
This is a line from Clay’s May horoscope:
“Your career progress will be stunning on MAY 21, when Mercury and Uranus combine forces. This day will be all about surprises, and all of them will be exciting! ”
They got that one right. He stunned the world once again. Go Clay!
Nicely said , CANN . I would say more but I am a little verklempt …
This blog is terrific! It definitely puts Clay’s opinions into proper perspective. He’s entitled to his personal opinions and to his own likes and dislikes, just as we all are. Time and again, Clay has engaged in humanitarian activities on behalf of children with disabilities, children in impoverished and strife-torn countries, AIDS awareness, and other worthy causes. Yet his charitable activities scarcely garner any positive press. Instead, in the past few days he’s been raked over the coals by the media and even by some of his so-called fans for daring to express his own musical tastes. I can only hope that someday soon, the press and the detractors will start to pay attention to Clay’s good works, which are many and truly noteworthy, rather than one off-the-cuff remark for which Clay has already extended a gracious apology.
Musicfan,
Thank you for the wonderful memories from our years with Clay Aiken. Thank you, too for your kind comments in the Memorial Day blog at the Carolina site. So far, I think you may be the only one reading the entry. *g*
Have a special Memoral Day Weekend!
Caro
There’s no one like him, where else are you going to find a NERD with major sex appeal.
What a fantastic walk down memory lane!
Thanks for the great article & all the hard work you all do here at CANN.
Thank you for posting these pictures. Clay Aiken sure is a media draw except for when he is doing good things and bringing awareness to the plight of the children in Africa and other places. Then the so-called media ignore him.
And yeah, I am still waiting for an apology from the media but I won’t hold my breath.
Thank you CANN for the Pictures, it’s been a while since I have seen them. Clay said from his earliest appearance on American Idol he wanted to entertain, make a living and through that, help those less fortunate than himself. Clay has always walked the walk, not just talked the talk.
Awww, I loved all of those pics !!! What Great memories !!!
It amazes me that people can voice all the terrible opinions of Clay that they want to & I mean really nasty ones & he gives one & the shit hits the fan. I guess if he had said “Adam is wonderful yada, yada, there would be no uproar. He had the balls to give his honest opinion.
The pics show the real Clay Aiken, just quietly giving. He is one hell of a human being, & haters be damned!! Must suck to be them.
Great pictures of our man putting his words into action.