It was Monday night, October 13, 2003. It was just like any other Monday night, but, wait…….this was a very different Monday night! Clay Aiken was making his debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
It was the night before Clay’s first CD was released and Clay stopped by the show as part of the promotion for “Measure Of A Man.”
It was obvious that Jay was amazed at the crowd that was there just to see Clay. From the beginning of the show to the very end, Clay’s name was used to get the crowd excited. Jay commented more than once that there were many fans that spent the night outside of the studio so that they would be able to see the taping of the show.
It seemed that many of the fans in the studio and at home, watching on TV, were anxious for Clay to appear. They sat through an interview with comedian, Wanda Sykes, but began to lose patience when the “bird lady” seemed to take for ever!!
Clay Aiken performed “Invisible” and even added some new dance moves to the performance. Afterwards, he talked with Jay before a screaming crowd. Jay told Clay about the overnight crowd of fans and even got Clay to turn his feet around.
After the taping, Clay went directly to the airport to catch a plane to New York for more promotional appearances. But, Clay did make a short detour to wave at his fans who were attending a release party in the area. He didn’t have time to stop, but the fans saw his wave as he drove by. It certainly made the party guests happy and excited!!
Did you watch the show that night? I did and remember being very excited to see Clay seemingly so relaxed and professional.
I hope you enjoy the video that shows both Clay’s musical performance and his first Leno interview.
WOW! Yes I do remember so well – and I was saying the very same thing after watching him do his
performance – I thought gosh – he got so professional so fast – it was a great night and it just made
you feel and know he was going to be around for awhile – and he has been!!!! 🙂 Also loved him
talking to the girl in the audience that stopped by to see his video taping and got a spot with Clay in
the video!!! He was "special" right from the start!! <3
Well that video was adorable, I have watched it before as I've watched every video I could find of clay on utube (thanks for utube) and always enjoy watching anything with Clay in it, guess I'm addicted to him because he is such a sweet person. Thanks musicfan.
Clay is always so fun in interviews. He can blow a kiss to me anytime! 🙂
clay aiken is indeed aways fun in intervewies he can sing to me anytime
It was great watching that video again. I have it somewhere on tape too. It seemed like everytime Clay said anything..it was immediate screams. So cute! Loved watching him sing Invisible again also. Thank you so much!
What a fun look back at Clay and his "chatty" self. I remember being so excited to watch him and waiting for the silly "birdlady to stop talking!!
I sure do remember that night–it was the first of many nights where I stayed up late to watch Clay.
It wasn't enough to just tape it and watch it the next day. I HAD to see him live every single time he was on a late show. Then I'd come home from school the next afternoon and watch again and again. I've been watching and rewatching him ever since and have no intention of stopping.
He's the best!!!
What a fun revisit! He was a hoot. Wanda's reaction was a hoot. The fans were FUN-Nee!
I'm so glad to see this video again. Back in 10/2003 I was still a working gal, and was in bed by 11:30 pm, so I missed the Leno show. I remember running out on my lunch break to buy that CD. Clay has concured everything he has tried since AI 2.
I was at a local CD release party watching this with other crazy/enthusiastic fans. It was a blast! I really, really miss those exciting times.
I remember so well. What a great night that was. Thanks for the memories, musicfan. xo
Thanks musicfan. Such a treat to see that again after all this time.