On 10/05/04 Disney’s special platinum edition of Aladdin was released. Clay Aiken recorded Proud of Your Boy, a song that had been cut from the original movie. Proud of your Boy appears on the DVD, but was not a part of the soundtrack CD.
Proud of Your Boy was an important song to the creators of Aladdin. It was written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menkin. This talented duo also wrote the music for The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Proud of Your Boy focused on Aladdin’s relationship with his mother and Ashman said that it was his favorite song in the film.
In the middle of Aladdin’s production, Howard Ashman died of AIDS. It was a difficult time for all involved in Aladdin. It must have been even tougher for Alan when the decision was made to take the mother out of the story. The cut meant taking Proud of Your Boy out of the film. Since the death of his friend, Alan had become very attached to the song.
Clay Aiken became a part of the Disney family by singing Proud of Your Boy for the new DVD. Alan Menkin said that Clay fit the part perfectly and was very pleased that Clay was involved with the DVD. After the recording, Buena Vista Home Entertainment became the title sponsor of Clay’s first tour.
On September 30th, 2004, Clay Aiken attended the release party for the Aladdin (Disney Special Platinum Edition) DVD. His friend, Amber Nix, accompanied Clay to the party. They walked down the “Blue” carpet and Clay chatted with the press. Inside the theater, Clay performed the song, Proud of Your Boy.
There are four videos below. The quality is rather poor, but Clay is wonderful in all of them. The first two are professional videos provided by Disney. The last two are interviews that Clay gave during the Aladdin press junket on September 27th.
Things just seem so long ago…..It was fun watching those videos again…. Clay did an excellent job of singing "Proud Of Your Boy" It was just Perfect……I wish more people would have heard it…. He can sing anything…he is truly amazing.
Hugs,
Judy
Proud Of Your Boy was a perfect song for Clay and he nailed it.
I so wish that things would have progressed further for Clay in that area. He did such a magnificent job with "Proud of Your Boy" and unless you bought the DVD you would never have heard it. Would have liked to have had it promoted more for others to hear, plus I wished he would have gotten more Disney projects.
Wow! Those videos brought back some good memories. It's been a good while since I've seen the interviews from Aladdin. He did such a great job on "Proud of Your Boy." Someday I hope to hear his beautiful voice in a Disney movie!
🙂 thanks for the information and the videos!! Clay Aiken did a great job, he was absolutely perfect!
clay nailed proud of your boy he can inded sing anything and clay did a fantastic amazing job
Really enjoyed this article and especially the Video's of Proud Of Your Boy and the interviews. I still remember when the Alladin Video came out with Clay's special song on it..I got to the store early in the morning just so I could buy it. Still have it and just watched it again. I would also love to see him singing a beautiful song for a Disney Movie some day…heck..even starring in a Disney Movie.
I love "Proud of your boy" and I think it's even more special because it meant so much for Clay and his own mom. Thanks for a great post 🙂
Great memories. I was so proud of Clay and the song was wonderful. I love reading some of the "behind the scenes" information.
Thanks again for this wonderful blog!!
I remember this vividly. This is one of the most beautiful and perfect performances by Clay. So touching! I wish it had progressed too.