Okay, so onto the next part of Larry King Live: his interview with popster Clay Aiken. We admit, we find Clay Aiken to be a terrific bore, so we couldn’t bring ourselves to watch the entire hour. (Also, the sound of his voice makes us cry blood. It’s very messy.)
Basically, we just want to give King kudos. He tried with all his might to pry poor Aiken open, but Aiken simply wasn’t having it. Watching him squirm up there, we actually started to feel bad for the kid. Though it’s been years since we came out, we remember how utterly convincing the confines of the closet can be: the pervasiveness of denial seeps into your very being. Even if you’ve had sex with a man, the possibility of being gay becomes implausible. One truly believes they are straight. We suspect that’s what’s happening with little Clay Aiken. (No wonder he has anxiety attacks.)
Aiken insists that no matter what he says, people will believe what they want to believe. Um, no way. If Clay Aiken came out tomorrow, no one in their right mind would say, “No, he’s straight.” Never. Not in a million fucking years.
Linc
Interesting how you just proved exactly the point Clay was making. The only response that is acceptable to many is for him to say he’s gay. So, if he isn’t — there really isn’t any point in responding.
Too bad you didn’t actually watch the intervew. I’m still trying to find the place where Aiken was squirming. For someone so boring – it’s amazing how often he’s talked about. Now me . . . I’m a boring gay man with a partner for years, a home and a job. I don’t discuss my sexual orientation when I’m having a beer with friends and I don’t discuss it with the person sitting next to me at a movie. I don’t know if some stranger knows I’m gay and I could care less if they do or don’t. I fail to understand how I, as a gay man, can determine what is true about Aiken – or why I should care to inform him that I know about than he does.
Rhea
I watched the interview and I was amazed at how dogged Larry King was at trying to get Clay Aiken to admit he’s gay. King just didn’t let up! I thought Clay Aiken handled it remarkably well. Other folks might have lost it.
bryan
Well one thing Clay Aiken has done well is keep himself in the press. This is the only interesting thing about him, apprently, nobody talks about anything else. Ruben Studdard (hes the guy who won right?) hasn’t been heard from since he won, at least not here in the northeast where gospel and country is hard to come by. But Clay is all over the news lately. and for some people any press is good press. I never really liked the guy, I think he’s boring and kind of a snot, but for such a boring snot he’s kept people interested.
Bryan
Clay Aiken’s Web Site (ClayReport.com) is a parody of the infamous Conservative Blog DRUDGE REPORT. Maybe the reason our little christian closet case is nto coming out is because he’s a self-hating conservative republican!
Lauren Schulman
Maybe he’s not coming out because its no one’s business and the omission says it all. Is he required to come out just because he’s asked? He may have his issues but he’s charasmatic and that is why he’s talked about. He has the X factor even if people hate him.
Some are proud of him for not answering. Why should he? I know he’s gay but do I need to hear it from him? Would be nice but then again how many in Hollywood come out?
debbie
Clay made his point well then didn’t he. If he says he is not gay he’s a liar, if he says he’s gay, we told you so. He is in a no win situation so I say good for Clay Aiken for not giving an inch to all you naysers. He is who he is an intelligent man who has done nothing wrong. He is a great humanitarian, an amazing single. He just wants to sing. Who gives a hoot why his orientation is. I know what I believe, he is Clay Aiken an amazing man. By the way there was no squirming in that chair last night, just a man who was very confident in himself and his answers. I hope others stars take note, it is no ones business what their private lifes are. Its about time you people give it up and let Clay just sing to his fans.
JD
Would you believe Clay if he said he wasn’t gay? Obviously the answer is “no”. So what good does it do to say it? You are convinced he is gay no matter what. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why you are so sure of that. He has said in the past that he’s not gay (see 2003 copy of Rolling Stone) but you continue to harp on the subject. Can’t you just leave it alone? Quit acting like kids who can’t take no for an answer.
Rie
Ha ha. Clayreport is some fan site–it even has a link to Aiken’s official site right there on the left.
I saw Aiken on a local news show yesterday morning, and the way he was spouting off potential Dem candidates for Prez in ’08, I’m fairly certain he’s a Dem himself. How many conservative Republicans can speak about Evan Bayh?
betty carter
I personally think this whole discussion is rediculous. The sexual orientation of anyone is a personal issue. Our society is so slanderous driven; what gives anyone the right to judge! God is the only one that needs to judge and that he will do in his own time.
Why don’t you discuss the fact that Clay is a good christian young man and loves teaching, working children and is a exceptionally good singer.
Let’s promote what is good rather than this trash ! This webpage is degrading to Clay and insulting to anyone’s intelligence who may click on your link. I clicked on this site because I happen to admire and enjoy Clay Aiken and wanted to read about what’s happening in his life.
You should be ashamed of yourself for allowing such garbage to be written on you site. The fact that this whole webpage has links to being gay, being a lesbian is absolutely disgusting!!
tigger
You’re right, Rie. North Carolina voter registration records are public and some time ago someone linked to his on Datalounge and it showed Clay is a registered Democrat. Assuming someone is a right wing Republican because they’re closeted and Christian is pretty stupid really. In his GMA and Larry King interviews Clay made it very clear that there’s nothing wrong with being gay, it’s just nobody’s business if he is or not.
In the end, it’s his decision whether to go public or not, and I don’t think we can assume that just because he’s not letting the general public know he’s gay that he hasn’t accepted it for himself, or that his friends and family don’t know. I personally think he’d be very much happier and content if he were to just bite the bullet and come out, but it’s his decision to make, not mine or anyone else’s.
bindi
“Aiken insists that no matter what he says, people will believe what they want to believe. Um, no way. If Clay Aiken came out tomorrow, no one in their right mind would say, “No, he’s straight.” Never. Not in a million fucking years. ”
Way to prove his point. The only answer anyone will accept from him is “Yes I’m gay.” So he’s stopped answering the question. You have to admit the guy has balls.
DX
Bryan, good point. What about Ruben? I haven’t heard about old Rubeeeen having any girlfriend of record for over 3 years now. Since we like to stereotype on this board, I heard old Rubeeen likes opera, manicures and pedicures, is a shoe whore, all that football cuddling and butt patting and very fussy over his clothing. When will Queerty begin outting him? Or don’t we want to recruit the fat ones?
Rey
Why the need to be so cruel? Is this something you learned in school when you were being bullied by straight kids? Often, the worse bullies in school are gay themselves, but use their actions as a means to protect their secret identity.
It’s bad enough for many gay people to come out of the closet for fear of being tormented by straight people; but these days, it’s beginning to look to me that gay bullies can be a lot more cruel than straight ones. Gay bullies, unlike straight guys, can be more sophisticated in the art of emotional cruelty. I think I would rather be punched in the nose than to be at the mercy of this kind bitchy of talk.
If Clay is a religious Republican Christian (who are generally perceived as being anti-gay) maybe it is because he feels a lot safer with that group than his own, assuming that he is indeed gay.
No wonder there are so many self-loathing closeted gay people out there campaigning against their own!
Ryan
I actually feel bad for him. I didn’t watch the Larry King interview, but I saw a 2 minute or so interview with him on the Today Show. He associated being gay as being some sort of a bad thing; regardless of whether or not he’s gay (and he’s almost assuredly so) he needs to stop doing that. Being gay isn’t bad, no matter what his pastor told him when he was a kid. Religion seems to be a tightly strung noose around his neck.
Shelly
I am sick and tired of people TRYING to get their kicks from a madeup story!
My advice to ALL.
It’s no one elses business so shut the hell up and enjoy life instead of trying to ruin it!!!
blanche
Ryan, I don’t know what interview you think you saw, but Clay has never once said he thinks being gay is bad. In fact, he’s made a point of saying that he doesn’t align himself with Christians who discriminate, and that “his” Jesus loves everyone, “black, white, Muslim, Jew, gay, or straight.”
MW
Don’t care whether Clay is gay or not. He has a great voice and I’ll continue to buy his CDs and – Bryan – (post No.4) it sounds like to me you are the one who hates republicans. It amazes me how liberals have to make even this political.
You should be more worried about what your ex-president was doing in the WHITE HOUSE, rather that what Clay is doing, Clinton was suppose to be running the country.
You have a problem with Clay being a Christian, well that is his business too.
CLAY (GAY OR NOT) REPUBLICAN OR CHRISTIAN IS HERE TO STAY!! Like it or not!
Bryan
MW: I don’t hate republicans, i just hate what they stand for and believe in. My parents are both republicans, as are 90% of my family but I love them all. I disagree vehemently with their political views, mostly because its a warmonegring, anti-poor, anti-gay, anti-minority, pro-corporation, pro-patriot act party. I will happily admit that I hate what republicans stand for but not the people themselves. Maybe that’s un-PC but it’s the truth. And my comment about clay being christian only has to do with christianity guilting people into denying their sexuality because they are convinced God hates them if they are gay, they make it shameful.
I’ve heardtaht clinton line a million times and its frankly bullshit.
El
Well Bryan. I have heard all this Clay gay crap before………..and frankly its all bullshit too!
Get a life, go get some for yourself instead of fantacizing about Clay or anybody elses sex life.
MW
Well I’m glad you don’t hate me, just what I stand for Bryan.
Did you not hear what Clay said. That God loves all, gay, blacks, white etc. etc. You DON”T know that Clay is gay. Even if you feel it in your gut, you still don’t know.
I’m am a moderate Republican, not a right-wing Republican. I believe in a very strong military because I feel our greatest threat is what our enemy’s will do next. I hate you feel Republicans are anti-poor, anti-minority, pro-corporation, and warmongeriers. I listen intently to what Democrats policys are and some I agree with some I don’t. I believe you can go to far to the left and to far to the right.
I am a Christian and would never guilt someone because of their sexual orientation.
The only reason I mentioned the old story of Clinton was because of what you said and I quote “Maybe the reason our little christian closet case is nto coming out is because he’s a self-hating conservative republican!”
I feel like Clay sexual orientation would do much less damage than our Presidents.
I do feel Clinton should not have had extramarital sex, mainly because I don’t feel that is the way to help a relationship between a husband and wife (even if Hillary doesn’t have much of a problem with it) and I do have more respect for the White House than that and I really can’t stand the fact that he vehemently lied to the American people about it. Anyway we could go on forever about political policies, which I always love to do, but not via e-mails. That’s not what this blog is about.
I think you must have met the wrong kind of Christians and the wrong republicans and I hope you someday come across ones than can talk to you without dissention.
One thing for sure no one on this earth will ever convince me of Clay being anything but a nice guy with a beautiful voice no matter what except for Clay himself. If he is gay I’ll love him and his voice.
Judi
I watched Clay on Larry King last night too. Yeah, it did kind of look like he was squirming a little, and Larry did have a point. He told Clay, why don’t you just tell the public one way or the other, then it won’t be hanging over your head. Well if he said, no, I’m not gay, it would still be hangin over his head. Is it possible that you’re right, and he doesn’t want to believe he’s gay? Maybe. But in the end, it’s his choice whether to tell us or not. For me – I’m a big fan and own all of his cd’s. I’m a woman, 57 yrs. old to boot. Yeah, his giggle is a little much, but that singing voice is just amazing. So if he’s gay or not – I don’t care. I think most of the people that harp on him about his sexuality are not fans. So he shouldn’t get anxiety attacks about that. I also suffer from anxiety attacks, and have been on the same meds he’s now taking for a long time. Works! Glad you’re back Clay!
Perceive
Huh, so Clay really is a Democrat. I had a really long conversation with someone who claimed to know Clay personally a while back, among other things, he told me in detail that Clay is a liberal democrat, yes, LIBERAL. I’m more inclined to believe this person now.
He also told me that Clay is straight. And that for personal reasons, Clay wishes to keep his heterosexual relationship private. Ya know, there are more closets than the gay one. I honestly think the little bastard is straight.
I never liked Clay much back when he was on the show (Team Ruben all the way!). I still loathe his music, his affected singing, and his evil wonky eye. But all this hounding of the guy is starting to make me feel bad for him. Basically, I don’t like seeing people hounded and humiliated for their sexuality, whatever it is (unless it’s the kind that harms someone else). Exceptions being when a public figure is being a hypocrite about it (assorted GOPers), or is a general douchebag (i.e. Tom Cruise). I’d rather see interviewers go in depth with Clay about his politics, which I think is far more relevant than his sexuality, especially if he is indeed the messiah of a legion of conservative midwestern housewives.
Bryan
Once clay aiken went on american idol he became a public figure. Take the bad with the good.
FizziekruntNT
Why don’t you Claycophants spend the same amount of time and energy reading and commenting on the other submissions as you do on the Gayken? You’re only feeding the monster and although I’m certain the traffic is good for our Queerty attention whore editors (said with absolute love in my heart, of course), it’s really pathetic to see just how obsessed people are defending the poor doofus. Got any other worthy causes on your list you’d care to divulge? Like maybe volunteering time at the local hospital spending time holding drug-addicted, HIV-positive preemies? Give it a rest already. Clay Aiken is neither helpless, nor in need of your platitudes.
Lindsay Lohan is.
Danielle
Trying to force people out of the closet seems to be the last frontier for public abuse and humiliation. Haven’t we evolved past this type of scrutiny and ignorance? It’s shocking how often gay people are the attackers when they should be the most sensitive to this issue. I respect Clay’s decision not to answer because no one should be harrassed about their private life. The media is of control and Larry King is a prick. Clay’s sexuality has nothing to do with his career, so why does it matter? I dream of a more compassionate world….but sadly I won’t hold my breath.
Buzz
I would like to know what he is so afraid of. Does he really think it would hurt his career if he came out. Are there really people out there who think he’s straight. By not coming out he makes it seem like being Gay is something to be ashamed of, something to kept hidden. Is that the message we should be sending. If he would just come out it would stop all of the prying.
cathy
Well one thing is blatently obvious from reading this article and some
of the comments. There are many haters out there with an agenda. None
of you know Clay Aiken at all or this discussion would not happening. I
hope some of you had the good sense to watch all the Clay appearances all week on various
talk shows and entertainment shows. You just might have actually
learned something about him….like who he is.
To all the gay men and women out there that are “out”. Good for you! I
am sure you “came out” on your own and would not have appreciated being
pushed into it. I am sure noboday would have wished it any other way. Leave the guy alone.
Not only can he sing amazingly, he is an Ambassador for UNICEF, he has
been appointed to a committee for the President (as you know from your
last trashy article), he penned a book that was #2 on the NYT bestseller list, he had 3 CD’s that made the top 5 on the billboard charts
in the first week, the first one went triple platinum, he is co-founder
of the Buble/Aiken foundation which works towards inclusion for
underprivilaged children, he is a certified teacher for children with
disabilities…….not to mention a man with a wonderful heart and soul.
The point Clay has been making all week is well proven in your stupid diatribe above:
“If Clay Aiken came out tomorrow, no one in their right mind would say, “No, he’s straight.” Never. Not in a million fucking years.”
Exactly THE point!!!!! Thanks for proving it. Nobody would believe Clay if he said he was strait because everyone wants him to be gay. Way to go Clay for standing your ground. You don’t owe any of us an answer, least of all the low lifes that hang out on message boards like this and spew venom at the mouth every chance they get. Jealousy sure is a powerful emotion indeed.
Who the **** cares what he does in the bedroom. He answered the
question three years ago and did not skirt the issue now, he just took a
stand that he will NOT answer it again. NUFF SAID.
Cathy
Helga Ganguly
I advise you all to go out and get lives of your own. Clay is fine the way he is. I don’t believe for a second that he’s gay. I’d much rather have the interviewers ask him some real questions about his life.. But knot They have to beat a dead horse for you numbskulls. Grow up.
Linc
Buzz – you just proved the point I believe Clay was making in that interview. The only acceptable answer to the question for some people is “Yes”. Makes it difficult, if in fact, he is straight. Which is why there is no way to answer the question for you. He also stated that he didn’t think it would affect his career. So either he’s very deep in the closet and deserves his privacy to work things out – or just maybe he’s straight and can’t give you the answer you want.
Perceive – interesting post. I lived in Raleigh for many years before moving to Austin recently. I’ve been out for quite a while and never heard a single story about Clay Aiken the whole time I lived in Raleigh. Never saw him at a bar – never met any guy who ever saw him or dated him or anything. I remember during AI the media was all over the place trying to find something on the kid and came up empty. Like I said – he’s either very closeted and deserves time to work things through. Or he’s straight. Either way – I don’t understand the need to know. If he’s got the answer to world peace – well than damn him for keeping quiet about that.
slg
Why don’t you writers get a life and quit obsessing about Clay? It’s really quite pathetic — I think it probably pisses you off that he doesn’t give a sh** about you and everybody like you. Instead he focuses on his career and his charity and dummies fall all over yourselves trying to trip him up. He’s laughing all the way to the bank. You are non-entities in his life and really just in life. The proof is in the pudding with this little online rag. This the best you can do? What a career you have!
Shelly
I forgot to say this….
If you people will go look at the 2003 Rollingstone article, Clay answered “NO” to the question back then…Did all the questions stop then?? (b)NO_O_O_O.(/b) So I guess Larry King was wrong! Larry’s not perfect ya know?? :rolleyes:
Sue Grainger
If the ones complaining about Clay not “coming out” tuned in and listened (REALLY LISTENED) to any of his interviews this past week, he said several times that all of the magazine articles about him AREN’T TRUE!!! He will not dignify all the rumors and crap being written about him with a response of any kind….period!…NOW, just move on and let the man be!!….to be STRAIGHT or be GAY!!…it is his private life and no one elses business!!…One thing that all this proves is that he really is someone very special for so many people to keep talking about him all the time!!….There is not a voice like his on the planet!…Clay is a super star and just give him time and he will be 10 times more successful than he is now!!…..Sue G.
a fan, not a claymate
Let’s get some things straight (ha).
Yes, Clay said that the tabloids had printed lies about him. He did NOT say everything in them was a lie or deny that he was gay. Tabloids make stuff up and don’t fact check every day, but sometimes they actually luck into a true story, so it makes sense that some of the stories about Clay would be lies but it’s also possible some could be true. Interesting that the one story he mentioned to Larry as being false was NOT about the gay rumors. And much as I hate that green beret turned obsessed stalker, I suspect his initial story is true. And I don’t care if it is or not, I still like Clay, and what he does with other consenting adults is his own business.
It’s possible to think Clay is gay and still be a fan. I know it’s hard for the homophobes out there to believe, but many people don’t give a shit where Clay falls on the Kinsey scale, and just love his voice and his on stage personality (and think he’s cute). I think he’s gay, I’ve bought his CDs, I’ve been to his concerts and I love to watch him on TV. I’m a fan no matter what you idiots think. And I don’t want or need him to be gay, I just think he IS.
Buzz, just take a look at the comments from some of his fans here. Some of his fans are homophobic and would dump Clay if he came out, many others probably aren’t homophobic but are so heavily invested in him being straight that they would freak out if they found out he was gay. Despite what he told Larry King about it hypothetically not hurting his career, I’m sure he doesn’t believe that. And right now, after being saddled with an oldies CD by Clive Davis (note how in every interview he makes sure to mention it was Davis’s idea) that won’t likely make him any new fans or improve his credibility, he needs all his current fans just to keep alive in the music business. From watching his interviews I do not believe he thinks it’s bad to be gay at all.
And, please, Queerty eds, I know you’re deliberately choosing the same horrible picture of Clay for every post because it’s fun to laugh at him, but some of your regular readers, like me, do actually like him and would appreciate one of the nice new photos of him once in a while.
Linc
Oh give me a break “fan” – you’re a regular reader of Queery? Uh huh. And a fan of Clay’s. Uh huh. And Clay fan’s are homophobic. Uh huh. Here’s a clue for you – I’m gay, I’m a fan as is my partner. I’m not a grandmother – hell I’m not even a grandfather. I’m not old. I don’t seem to fit the perception. I’ll listen to Andy Bey before I’ll listen to Clay – but I like this album. Your long assed diatrabe is so full of shit. No one here needs you to point out which tabloid rumors are lies and which aren’t. Or explain what Aiken meant when he said the tabloids are lies. Take a walk. You really don’t belong here.
Malene
Two words for all of you: Oy vay!
One More Post
Morepeople have posted on Clay than any other subject. Should we be frightened about what this means about our country?
a fan, not a claymate
Excuse me Linc, but who the hell do you think you are to tell me how long I’ve been reading here and whether I belong here or not? I’ve been reading Queerty since it first started (and, hon, it’s queerTy not Queery), I read it every day and I comment on things other than Clay (I usually comment using my Typekey ID but this time I wanted to make sure people knew I was a fan). And why in the world would you assume that just because I’m a Clay fan that I can’t also be queer myself? Get a clue, idiot, Clay has lots of bi and lesbian women among his fans and unless I missed the memo queer women are welcome here, too. Actually, I’d assume gay friendly straights are welcome here.
And, yes. many of Clay’s fans ARE homophobic. I see it on their boards on a regular basis. Sometimes it’s blatant, sometimes it’s subtle, but it’s there. That’s not to say they all are, of course,