I was able to find this collection of pictures from the performance set to the Leona Lewis version “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.”  Enjoy, Claymates!

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The episode airs on Wednesday night and he recently divulged a couple things about the experience:

• It was interesting to be on the judging side of a reality television program. 
• He felt unqualified to comment on fashion since he wears “a UNICEF t-shirt and University of Tennessee pajama pants.”

He also revealed that he is being courted by several labels and is enjoying the feeling of being pursued rather than the other way around: “All three look enticing, and I’m in the luxurious position of letting them sit down and come to me,” he said.

Wow!  It looks like Clay’s life and career continue to change in positive ways for him and I’m so glad!  I hope this turns out to be a great year!

image: Newscom

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I also was able to scrounge up a couple videos of Clay arriving at the event.  They aren’t anything super amazing but I know my Claymates will appreciate it anyway!

image: Newscom

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My first question was about what he was going to be doing?  Quick answer – he’ll be a guest just on the episode airing on April 8, 2009. 

Do you guys watch Top Model?  Most of the men on the show are gay (which I have ABSOLUTELY no problem with) and the show is about fashion (which I sometimes have a problem with).  I love the show even though I prefer Jay Manuel to Tyra Banks (he hosts the Canadian version of the show too so we get double the Jay!) but when you consider the on-screen jokes with Rosie O’Donnell, the pictures of him and his rumored boyfriend, Reed Kelly, canoodling in a photo booth and now this, I can’t help but notice how quickly Clay has jumped into being so open.  I don’t mind it at all – I think people should be who they are with no reservations – but I’m just saying that I’m surprised he went from being a closeted gay man to this extremely open and out gay man.

Discuss.  What do you think?  Is it too much too fast?  Not fast enough?

image: Bauer-Griffin

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It was the season of Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken.  Even back during the competition, I just could not decide.  I loved them both so much for two entirely different reasons.  Ruben had a smooth style and teddy bear-like quality that made him so lovable during performances like “Music of My Heart” but then Clay brought so much skill and growth to songs like “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” 

I couldn’t wait to find out who won and then the day of the final performances, I went into labor.  It was high-risk so I was in a special unit with no television for days.  Naturally, having just had a preemie, I wasn’t even thinking about Idol so, I ended up finding out by chance when some nurses were chatting in my room.  What an experience!

Here’s a Top 5 medley featuring Ruben, Clay, Kimberley Locke, Trenyce and Joshua Gracin to help bring back the memories! 

Check out the Top 10.  Who did you like best?

1. Ruben Studdard –Winner
2. Clay Aiken – Runner-up May 21, 2003
3. Kimberley Locke – Eliminated May 14
4. Josh Gracin – Eliminated May 7
5. Trenyce – Eliminated April 30
6. Carmen Rasmusen – Eliminated April 23
7. Kimberly Caldwell – Eliminated April 16
8. Rickey Smith – Eliminated April 9
9. Corey Clark – Disqualified April 2
10. Julia DeMato – Eliminated March 26

image: Newscom

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American Idol

This year, Clay became a father for the first time when his best friend, Jaymes Foster, gave birth to little Parker. 

Next, Clay publicly announced that he is gay and has embraced the truth about his sexuality ever since, even making humorous reference to it in an appearance on the short-lived variety show Rosie Live!

What’s Clay planning for 2009 (his run in the Broadway show, Spamalot, ends on January 4th)?  "I want to spend time with Parker,” he says. “He’s still uber-dependent.  I’m ready for him to start talking. I’m ready for a little action!  We’ll take a little bit of time, we’re not quitting or anything, we’re just gonna take it slow for a month or so and recollect once I get back.  I may never have any free time once Parker starts walking and talking!"

I think that sounds like a perfect plan.  I know that there are days, as a mother, when I wish I could just slow down and enjoy it more so I can’t imagine how crunched for time someone like Clay is!  I wish him all the best in the new year!

image: Bauer-Griffin

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Attention Clay Aiken fans!  You’ve probably already got this set to record but I’m letting everyone know that Clay’s E! True Hollywood Story tonight and you don’t want to miss it!  The episode will take you on the journey from Clay’s humble beginning all the way to the recent revelations in his life including the birth of his son, Parker, and his admission of being gay.

Keep your hats on, kids, because there is going to be some stuff discussed that you may not want to hear about (I know some of you are really protective of Clay!) but, apparently, there will be an "exclusive interview with former Army Green Beret John Paulus, who claims he was romantically involved with Clay for one night in 2006" as well as some words from Kathy Griffin, the comedienne who isn’t exactly on the best terms with Clay.

Of course, there is going to be other upbeat things discussed including Clay’s run in the Broadway musical, Spamalot. 

The special airs tonight at 9pm  ET on E!

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I’m reading reports all over the place that Clay Aiken is dating Broadway dancer, Reed Kelly.  There’s a picture of them together here.

Apparently, an "insider" spilled the beans and said: "Everybody knows Reed as Clay’s guy.  Clay met him when he was doing Spamalot in early 2008, and that’s one of the reasons he came back to the show again."

Wow.  Could Clay be getting cozy with the Wicked cast member?  I hope so.  This year has been full of life changes for Clay and I’m hoping 2009 will translate into a year of happiness for the American Idol star. 

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I held up one of those ghetto blasters playing one of Clay’s songs, and I begged him to take me back and he said no. And then I walked out of the room and Gloria Estefan said to me, ‘I told ya—you shouldn’t have gone in there alone.’

There were no words of thanks or even really any words at all, for that matter. I would have to say he was not very nice.

Wow… if any of that is true, Clay must be really upset.  It’s hard to want to forgive Kathy Griffin anyway.  On the one hand, I do occasionally find her funny.  On the other, she’s just really annoying… What do you think?

NBC Photo: Margaret Norton

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Songs include "All Is Well," "Christmas Waltz," "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and "My Grown-Up Christmas List."

It’s a must-have for Claymates but, even if you aren’t a fan, check it out.  The songs are pretty good

image: Amazon.com

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