One of the good things that happens when American Idol starts a new season…
News articles about former Idols
On Monday, the website, Insider, posted the following article. I will post only the part about Clay Aiken…
Here’s what ‘American Idol’ runner-ups are up to today
by Gabbi Shaw
Clay Aiken overshadowed the winner of his season, Ruben Studdard.
“American Idol” was, in its heyday, one of the most popular shows in America, inspiring dozens of spin-offs around the world. It did drop off in popularity towards the end of its run (it aired from 2002 to 2016), so hopefully the ABC reboot airing in March will replicate the magic of its earlier seasons.
Some of its appeal was based in its high stakes: the show’s winner was guaranteed a record contract. However, as viewers have come to realize, a record contract doesn’t always translate into fame.
Sometimes losers outshone winners, especially in the case of runner-ups like Katharine McPhee and Adam Lambert.
We rounded up all the second place finishers from “American Idol” and took a look at what they’re up to today…
…Clay Aiken has had a diverse career since losing to Ruben Studdard in 2003 — he’s released music, acted on TV, and even run for office.
Fans of the singer called themselves Claymates.
Clay Aiken has released six studio albums since his second-place finish on the second season of “American Idol.” His first album, “Measure of a Man,” debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and his first single, “This is the Night,” debuted at number one— ahead of season winner Ruben Studdard’s single “Flying Without Wings.”
He made his Broadway debut in 2008 in “Spamalot.” He’s also appeared on successful TV shows such as “The Office,” “30 Rock,” and “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit,” and placed second (again) on “The Celebrity Apprentice” in 2012.
In a bid to unseat Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers in North Carolina’s 2nd District, Aiken won the Democratic Party’s nomination — but ended up being the runner-up once again.
It is always fun to find articles that mention Clay.
If you want to read the rest of the article, you can see it HERE
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On February 23, Variety had an article about American Idol too. They have a short mention of Clay and Ruben.
Macy’s, Johnson & Johnson Sign On as Major Sponsors of ABC’s ‘American Idol’
by BrianSteinberg
“American Idol” will swap out Coca-Cola’s red cups for Macy’s red star in a new era of advertising associated with the show when it reboots on ABC.
Viewers who tune in to “American Idol” on March 11 are no doubt eager to see the contenders and celebrity judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. They will also see prominent ad pitches from Macy’s and Zyrtec. The retailer and the Johnson & Johnson allergy medication will be woven into the content of the musical-competition program, according to two people familiar with the matter, playing roles similar to the ones filled by big advertisers like Coke, Ford Motor and AT&T when “Idol” enjoyed a much-ballyhooed and top-rated run on Fox between 2002 and 2016.
The advertisers are believed to be paying whopping integration fees of between $1 million and $1.5 million for the broader affiliation with the show, according to one of these people. ABC declined to make executives available for comment. Spokepersons for Macy’s and Johnson & Johnson could not be reached for immediate comment.
ABC and its parent, Walt Disney Co., no doubt hope “American Idol” will prove as popular as it has in the past: Approximately 38 million people tuned in to see Ruben Studdard defeat Clay Aiken to win the show’s second season finale on Fox in 2003. With those big crowds came broad influence. “Idol” has been instrumental in shaping new forms of advertising and media use. Early in the program’s tenure on Fox, AT&T asked fans to vote by text message for their favorite contestants – helping to transform that behavior into a mainstream habit. Coca-Cola achieved a new level of product placement by getting red cups festooned with some of the logos of its popular carbonated beverages on the judges’ desk…
There is no other mention of Clay in the rest of the article. You can read it all at Variety
Hopefully, there will be a few more new articles this week. It is always fun to post something current!
Are you looking forward to the new American Idol?
Will probably tune in the first night just out of curiosity but not expecting it will do anywhere near as good as original AI. I may be wrong but I am sure there will be anyone to tear me away from being a Clay-Fan!
Thank you so very much for all of the info – Clay will never be forgotten as he is a man of many talents.
Thank you, for sharing the articles about American Idol and OMC! The magic of Clay and Ruben is still remembered to this day! Hopefully, we will hear from our guy soon! Have a great Tuesday!
I wish 'Insider' had posted a better, more recent photo of Clay. Of all the American Idols, I think Clay has had the most diverse post-AI life/career.
I haven't watched AI in years. I found my Idol. Not only his voice, but in Character. Thanks for the articles Musicfan!
I'm probaley tune in the first night and see and watch I don't know if this new americian idol reboot show will be as good as when clay was on idol thanks so much for all of the information clay will never ever be forgotten I also have found my idol not onley his amazing voice but also in character
I'm not interested in AI at all. Ever since Simon left it's gone downhill for me. I hope it goes well. Right now I like The Voice.
Paula, get away from 'the voice' asap. They are just a 'blow the category out' show. in other words, you jump and copy something and THEN try to make everyone so sick of it you kill the original and others too. I didn't used to realize that existed, but read that that is the idea. Like when WESTERNS were so big in the fifties, right? Well, I forget the exact timeline, but GUNSMOKE was hot, so right away we have RAWHIDE and WAGON TRAIN let's say, and then BONANZA. YES, the others want a western hit and jump on the bandwagon, but the idea is also to blast the uniqueness and viewers appetite for the genre out of the water as soon as you can, so that the whole miserable competitors hot show will go away! And that is what 'THE VOICE' did, it not only killed Idol off for good, it RUINED Simon's 'X-FACTOR' before it had a chance in America, and SIMON is the only production staff that can make real stars like KELLY CLARKSON (shame on her, being on there!) and ONE DIRECTION, FIFTH HARMONY! and I think X-FACTOR was already on in UK, so the whole team mentors toe to toe thing was HIS IDEA FIRST! Voice jumped in ripping it off and made America think they thought of it! ick!
Anyway, everyone stop watching 'THE VOICE' (I watched first season, sorry to say) and START WATCHING 'AMERICAN IDOL'!
Yeah, it won't be the same as back in the day, novelty wore off and others ran the singing into the ground, like 'the voice' w/ it's polished professionals and THE JUDGES ARE THE REAL AND ONLY STARS! but give it a chance, although if Simon and the other folks aren't involved, it will not be totally the same, hopefully it will at least have the same heart and guy/girl next door innocence!
I wasn't planning to watch AI on Sunday, but I saw an brief promo on GMA this morning (Fri) that leads me to believe that former Idols will show up. Clay was one of the photos that was shown. Guess I'll record it just in case.