Clay Aiken Archives

Clay Aiken receives his very own caricature from Sardi’s Restaurant on Tuesday, for his Broadway Debut in the musical Spamalot.

“At the end of the day, Parker is the most important thing of the year, and of my life, without question,” Aiken recently told People. “Having a son and that type of responsibility is obviously going to be something that I remember forever.”

“I want to spend time with Parker. He’s still uber-dependent,” Aiken says, laughing. “I’m ready for him to start talking. I’m ready for a little action!”

15+ more pics inside of Clay Aiken’s cute caricature…

More Here! »

American Idol alum Clay Aiken poses with a female friend and his rumored boyfriend, Broadway dancer Reed Kelly, at Rosie’s Gala at the Marriott Marquis last month in New York City.

“Everybody knows Reed as Clay’s guy,” a Broadway insider tells Star. “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.”

“It was obvious they were a couple,” a partygoer says of Clay and Reed, who is a member of the Wicked ensemble.

It’s rumored that the pair met through Clay’s piano player, who also plays piano for Wicked. More Here! »

Clay Aiken poses with the cast of Spring Awakening — including Weeds star Hunter Parrish — backstage at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre in New York City on Monday.

The 29-year-old former American Idol finalist is currently back on Broadway reprising the role of Sir Robin in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot through January 4, 2009.

Parrish joined the cast of Spring Awakening this past August, taking the lead role of Melchior Gabor and winning rave reviews from critics.

Clay Aiken finishes up his work day, performing on the Broadway show Spamalot, and then tries to avoid the press as he goes home on Wednesday.

American Idol’s Simon Cowell, who when told Clay Aiken had revealed he was gay, jokingly responded, “Wow, that’s a shock. It’s like being told Santa Clause isn’t real — unbelievable.”

“Good for him. If he said it, it’s the right thing for him. Good for him,” Simon told Extra.

When asked about fan reaction, Simon said, “I don’t think anyone cares. Let’s face it. It’s 2008. You know, who cares?”

“No, I don’t know him well enough, and I think I’d be the last person on Earth he’d call,” Simon said, referring to rumors he was asked to be the godfather of Clay’s son, Parker.

Here are some more great quotes from Clay Aiken’s cover story from People:

On why he came out of the closet: “It was the first decision I made as a father. I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn’t raised that way, and I’m not going to raise a child to do that.”

On the news possibly overwhelming some of his fans: “Whether it be having a child out of wedlock, or whether it be simply being a homosexual, it’s going to be a lot. [I hope my fans] know that I’ve never intended to lie to anybody at all. … But if they leave, I don’t want them to leave hating me.”

On coming out to his mother four years ago: “I started crying in the car. It was dark. I was sitting there, thinking to myself. I don’t know why I started thinking about it … I just started bawling. She made me pull over the car and it just came out… She started crying. She was obviously somewhat stunned. But she was very supportive and very comforting. She still struggles with things quite a bit, but she’s come a long way.”

On raising his son Parker raised in an environment that is accepting: “I have no idea if he’ll be gay or straight. It’s not something I’ll have anything to do with, or that he’ll have anything to do with. It’s already probably up inside the code there … No matter what the situation you’re in, if you’re raised in a loving environment, that’s the most important thing.”

Lance Bass, who famously announced his sexual preference in July of 2006, gave his reaction of Clay coming out of the closet to OK!: “It’s great! I’m so happy he’s finally going to be happy with himself and share that with the world. I think that’s so necessary for people to see. It’s good for the world.”

American Idol favorite Clay Aiken has finally come out as a gay man.

“Yes, I’m gay,” he tells People. “I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things.”

The 29-year-old Idol alum is on the mag’s cover with newborn son Parker.

In May, it was announced that Clay had given his sperm by artificial insemination to pal Jaymes Foster, sister of David Foster and Clay’s producer.

In July 2006, boybander Lance Bass also appeared on the cover of People with his own “I’M GAY” issue.

Best wishes to Clay and his bundle of joy Parker!

American Idol star Clay Aiken is officially a father!

Clay, 29, and music producer friend Jaymes Foster, welcomed a baby boy in his home-state of North Carolina Friday morning, Aiken’s mother Faye told local TV station WRAL.

Faye reported the boy’s name is Parker Foster Aiken, and was born at 8:08 a.m. weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces. He was 19 inches long.

Back in May, it was first reported that Jaymes Foster was artificially inseminated with Clay’s sperm and his rep later confirmed that. Clay and Jaymes will reportedly raise the child together even though they are not romantically linked.

Congratulations to Clay and Jaymes!

WHAT DO YOU THINK of the name Parker Foster Aiken?

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken recently visited the East African countries of Somalia and Kenya, where UNICEF provides children with health care, education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation.

The 29-year-old American Idol alum has written a series of blogs about his experience in the field.

Here’s a snippet of one of Clay’s blog posts: “Getting children back to school is vital for their protection, and helps build a sense of normalcy in their lives. The re-establishment of schools in the most difficult circumstances is a testament to the commitment of UNICEF and to Kenyans. Many displaced parents told UNICEF that getting their children back to school was their top priority.

“Every child has the right to an education. Education transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty that so many children are caught in. And an educated child will make sure his or her own children receive an education too. This is just another one of the many amazing ways UNICEF is helping children today, while also building a safer Kenya tomorrow.”

Read all of Clay Aiken’s blog entries at UNICEFUSA.org. (Hint: Click on the “Permalinks” to view the full entries.)

Next month, Clay will become a new father! It was announced back in May that he artificially inseminated music producer Jaymes Foster, the sister of legendary record mogul David Foster.