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?