Well, I have to say, I'm no big fan of Aiken, but my sister is and she was at that show. The kid (and his family) was given free front row seats, a meet&greet, and time on stage to lead a sing-a-long. The symphony's union had a time limit on the show and apparently this meant either Aiken cheated his fans who'd paid $100 a seat by editing his show or this amatuer kid got to sing a completely inappropriate song for the program. My sister says that Aiken's people didn't know the kid was told he could sing until they got to the venue. The teenager sounds like the snotty one to me. He probably went backstage pissed off already that he didn't get his moment in the spotlight because according to my sis, others who were there said Aiken was nice enough to fans and the venue staff had nothing but praise for him. FYI, this kid says he's trying out for Idol, so maybe he just wants some pre-publicity? He's sure to get the Aiken haters' votes - LOL!

I was at the Greensboro performance. I would have been royally PISSED if some amateur singing Superstitious was on the show. If that amateur had come on and used even a second of that all-too brief show, I would have demanded my money returned.

Clay was winsome, hilarious and captivating as an artist. The problem....the show was just not long enough.

I paid to see Clay, not some fame seeking snott nose kid. Clay made the right decision.

I guess it's more fun to make yet another dig at Aiken than to worry about the facts. A Claymate's husband contacted the people in charge of the concert and got this letter back:

1_ Greensboro Symphony was hired by a promoter to be the orchestra for Clay Aiken

2_ The promoter informed the Symphony that we needed to prepare a 50 minute first half

3_Although we protested and said it was too long and people were coming to hear Clay, we were still requested to prepare a first half. This was also included in the rider sent by Aiken management.

4_ After checking with several orchestras, we prepared both a 50 minute and 30 minute first half.

5_ Due to our contracts with musicians, we are not allowed to perform something without a rehearsal, if it has not been performed within 30 days.

6_ We were told that we would only have about 15 minutes to rehearse. We informed promoter we would be performing pieces from our Holiday Concert so we would not need much rehearsal time. Our Holiday concert is mostly singing. We informed promoter we would have singers and e-mailed the program

7_ We received an e-mail from Community Theater asking if the 2 Triad Idol singers could perform on concert. They had performed with us in October at our education concerts. We checked with promoter and were given the green light to invite them to perform WITH the Symphony not WITH Clay Aiken.

8_ Once rehearsal began, Aiken management asked that we not perform any non-Holiday songs. We only had orchestra charts for the Triad Idols for 2 songs and they were non-Holiday.

9_ We told the 2 Triad Idol singers, we would need to cancel their songs. We still wanted to include them in the concert and we asked Aiken management if they could lead the Christmas Song sing-along. Aiken management was very gracious and said this would be fine along with the little girl singing the Hippo song. When we told the Triad idol singers, they seemed very glad to still be part of the show. Throughout the evening, they did not indicate they were unhappy.

10_ We cannot control what people do in order to gain 15 minutes of fame. We do not believe in feeding a media frenzy over nothing.

AIKEN FACTS

1_ Greensboro Symphony was hired by a promoter to be the orchestra for Clay Aiken

2_ The promoter informed the Symphony that we needed to prepare a 50 minute first half

3_Although we protested and said it was too long and people were coming to hear Clay, we were still requested to prepare a first half. This was also included in the rider sent by Aiken management.

4_ After checking with several orchestras, we prepared both a 50 minute and 30 minute first half.

5_ Due to our contracts with musicians, we are not allowed to perform something without a rehearsal, if it has not been performed within 30 days.

6_ We were told that we would only have about 15 minutes to rehearse. We informed promoter we would be performing pieces from our Holiday Concert so we would not need much rehearsal time. Our Holiday concert is mostly singing. We informed promoter we would have singers and e-mailed the program

7_ We received an e-mail from Community Theater asking if the 2 Triad Idol singers could perform on concert. They had performed with us in October at our education concerts. We checked with promoter and were given the green light to invite them to perform WITH the Symphony not WITH Clay Aiken.

8_ Once rehearsal began, Aiken management asked that we not perform any non-Holiday songs. We only had orchestra charts for the Triad Idols for 2 songs and they were non-Holiday.

9_ We told the 2 Triad Idol singers, we would need to cancel their songs. We still wanted to include them in the concert and we asked Aiken management if they could lead the Christmas Song sing-along. Aiken management was very gracious and said this would be fine along with the little girl singing the Hippo song. When we told the Triad idol singers, they seemed very glad to still be part of the show. Throughout the evening, they did not indicate they were unhappy.

10_ We cannot control what people do in order to gain 15 minutes of fame. We do not believe in feeding a media frenzy over nothing.

Clay is a douchebag and his singing is hilarious.

It turns out the 15 year old is a raging homophobe, and that's the real reason he got pissed off by Clay (because if you look at the pic of them together and read response 3/4 here, the kid was obviously happy at the time). A friend of his posted online about it, and someone claiming to be the kid himself did the same thing. Then someone discovered his myspace which was very homophobic making jokes about AIDS and saying he thought Clay had AIDS. Nice kid.

Those who slam a 15 year old have tremendous issues. Leave this kid alone. As for the symphony facts one question. Do you honestly think an organization as reputable as the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra would not give these facts when they were asked for them, just to turn around and pass them off to some random anonymous husband of a claymate? Be real peeps.

The kid probably told people he would be singing..and when he didn't he needed a fall guy. Okay, fine; he's a kid. All of the jumping on the bandwagon of Clay bashing used to piss me off...although I am not a Claymate, just a human being...but honestly I don't care anymore. If Clay doesn't care enough to respond to anything other than when he's promoting something then either the shit doesn' t bother him or he has better things to do than deal with it, he thinks its best to ignore it, or he truly is an asshole. No matter which of these is true, that means I don't need to get upset over people kicking him when he's down, etc. I won't hate on him, but I see no point in getting riled up over him. He's a big boy. He knows this is going on and I'm starting to think he's enjoying the attention even when its negative...much like Britney Spears seems to be just fine and not at all embarrassed by her coochie shots. I don't think they're just like us after all.

The kid was 15 not 5, Frank, quite old enough to know better. What a huge fuss about nothing. So Aiken's a bitchy diva, aren't we all?

People paid $100 to see Aiken, not some douche kid to sing to get publicity in AI.

Like someone said, I'd want my money back if it were a mostly kid singing show...they can get 15-year-olds to sing for free if he isn't a hot shot star singer, that is. And the kids who bashes clay just because he didn't let the 15-year-old kid sing...yeah, i'd say that's pathetic. he should have known clay would have changed his mind, after all, it was CLAY's show, NOT his.

So, what's done is done regardless of the facts which tend to be ignored when it comes to Clay Aiken.

If this 15 year old wants his 15 minutes, why doesn't he put up a You Tube clip of his singing and cash in on the coattails of Clay Aiken's fame and internet hits rather than sounding like a whining brat. If I had paid to see Clay, invested in airline tickets and hotel accommodations, I would have been quite upset. The people who made the decision did the right thing.

So, Mr Willard, I'm looking forward to your You Tube debut.

Most importantly, Aiken sings funny. Talks funny, too.

"Most importantly, Aiken sings funny. Talks funny, too."

If he sings funny Laura, then why did he come in second in American Idol, especially having Simon Cowell for a judge? I'd like to hear you sing someday and try out for AI to see how far you'd get, you'd probably make us all deaf and not even make the first cut. As for talking funny, everyone has their voice and it's not your place to judge. You probably think you sound like the hottest thing in the world, but your voice doesn't match what you look like.

Email received from Ms. Crawford

AIKEN FACTS

1_ Greensboro Symphony was hired by a promoter to be the orchestra for Clay Aiken

2_ The promoter informed the Symphony that we needed to prepare a 50 minute first half

3_Although we protested and said it was too long and people were coming to hear Clay, we were still requested to prepare a first half. This was also included in the rider sent by Aiken management.

4_ After checking with several orchestras, we prepared both a 50 minute and 30 minute first half.

5_ Due to our contracts with musicians, we are not allowed to perform something without a rehearsal, if it has not been performed within 30 days.

6_ We were told that we would only have about 15 minutes to rehearse. We informed promoter we would be performing pieces from our Holiday Concert so we would not need much rehearsal time. Our Holiday concert is mostly singing. We informed promoter we would have singers and e-mailed the program

7_ We received an e-mail from Community Theater asking if the 2 Triad Idol singers could perform on concert. They had performed with us in October at our education concerts. We checked with promoter and were given the green light to invite them to perform WITH the Symphony not WITH Clay Aiken.

8_ Once rehearsal began, Aiken management asked that we not perform any non-Holiday songs. We only had orchestra charts for the Triad Idols for 2 songs and they were non-Holiday.

9_ We told the 2 Triad Idol singers, we would need to cancel their songs. We still wanted to include them in the concert and we asked Aiken management if they could lead the Christmas Song sing-along. Aiken management was very gracious and said this would be fine along with the little girl singing the Hippo song. When we told the Triad idol singers, they seemed very glad to still be part of the show. Throughout the evening, they did not indicate they were unhappy.

10_ We cannot control what people do in order to gain 15 minutes of fame. We do not believe in feeding a media frenzy over nothing.

I'm with Aiken on this one, but why do we need that e-mail here 3 times? R15, did you even read what was posted here before you or are you just spamming? It's no wonder his fans have such a bad rep. Once was enough.

Your silly website never fails to make me giggle. And then, of course, cringe. It almost makes me feel a little sorry for you.

Oh, wait; no it doesn't. This is so funny it cracks me up!!

Clay is no doormat, people. Sounds like he wasn't even the one who made the decision, it was his management. Sometimes, tough business decisions must be made. Live it Josh Willard, and learn.

If that makes him a "diva" then so be it. Keep on talking about Clay you media peeps! It's nothing but buzzzzzz!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

ROCK ON CLAY MAN!

Frank says:

Those who slam a 15 year old have tremendous issues. Leave this kid alone. As for the symphony facts one question. Do you honestly think an organization as reputable as the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra would not give these facts when they were asked for them, just to turn around and pass them off to some random anonymous husband of a claymate? Be real peeps.
December 30, 2006 12:39 PM

Are you assuming then they this trash journalist would even ask for them, and then assuming again that if they got them, that they would even print them? I guess you are. Well your are the one that needs to get real. The facts are not juicy enough for a trash site like this. That is why they were not printed.

How can anyone say they would want their money back if this child sang?? The fans know Clay has pulled people out of the audience to come on stage to dance as he put a Hawaiian Lei around their neck in previous concerts. He also has had audience members try out backstage to sing on stage with him. It's funny that it was OK when he did that, why not this time? I have to ask why, is it because this child spoke out about it??? This is calling the kettle black if you have gone to many Clay Aiken concerts and are a true fan. So tell me why put dancers up there who could not dance or singings who could not hold a tune up there and we all thought it was great!!!

This child did not come up with the idea to just show up at the show and think he was going to sing! It certainly appears he was told by someone when and where to be. 30 minutes before show time is a huge disappointment to any child...mine, yours or anyone's. If Clay has specific stipulations then he should have had them known. We do not know if the song this child was going to sing happened to be the song he won the contest with. Sure it was a Christmas show, but with no selection I would have done the same as he and chosen 1 I was good with. I can see him and Clay both wanting to do First Noel. Did you think no guildlines by Clay could have been the problem??

He used to not mind putting someone else in the spotlight for a short moment besides himself, but it appears that all has changed. He has gotten greedy and would rather impress the Claymates in what color stripe socks he is wearing then to share the stage now!

He should remember how it felt to be left out or turned down. Shame on Clay, he is driving his fans away with his selfish ways.

If I paid to see Clay, I sure wouldn't want to have to listen to some kid who won a local talent contest. I was at one of Clay's Christmas concerts. He is an amazing singer and quite a comedian. He used the Ripa incident to poke fun at the situation. Clay is a classy guy. The media should get their facts straight!

Clay is a great singer, and he has millions of fans that love him!!.....That young man didn't get to sing, NOT by Clay taking him out of the line up, but the Concert Promoters!!...AND the reason he couldn't sing his song is because he was trying to sing a NON Christmas song in a Christmas Concert!!...How out of place and tacky that would have sounded!!! Get over it!!

Clay is loved, not just for his incredible voice, but for all the good that he does for children, AND how nice and kind he is to his fans...In fact he has a reputation of getting out and greeting his fans before and after his concerts all the time!...Go on out there and start picking on someone else who may deserve it....Sue G.

Obviously some people have not read enough or heard enough of the situation to know it was "Clays Camp" who cancelled on the child, not the concert promoters! The 2 other children had CHRISTMAS SONGS and were also denied so using this as an excuse to boot the child is just a cover up.
I witnessed an incident last year with Clay and I never thought I would feel this way about him, but I do. When you all get your head out from being buried in the sand you will see daylight!
Clay's so called camp is so disorganized that if they weren't this would never had occured. Many other situations people have not spoken about for fear of backlash. Look how this 15yo is being treating for speaking out that so many adults will not do.

You - I mean this site - take every opportunity to subjectively -[that means without true facts] - bash on Clay Aiken - because why? You are numb-nutted bullies or you just can't stand the fact that you think Clay is one of you but won't admit it. Here's a hint - he is not one of you, so live with it.

He used to not mind putting someone else in the spotlight for a short moment besides himself, but it appears that all has changed. He has gotten greedy and would rather impress the Claymates in what color stripe socks he is wearing then to share the stage now!

-----------------------------------

In the most recent tour he had a child up on stage with him to sing his final song. The look of pride on his face when she sang was priceless. Still our Clay! Sorry you had a bad incident questioningaiken. We all have our bad days. Unfortunately Clay is so much under a microscope that he is not entitled.

I don't believe for a second that post #1 is from a person named RICK who is the sister of a fan. Puhlease Claymates...don't you think that everyone on the internet is savvy to your tactics at this point. There is no way the "brother of a fan" would know all these made up details about this concert and use the talking points that the Claymates are dumping all over the internet unless you were a Claymate yourself.

Clay Aiken is an arrogant prick. I have worked with him and he is the most arrogant diva celebrity I have ever had the displeasure to be around. I personally witnessed him treating fans this way myself. Deal with it Claymates, your "hero" is an ass. Just ask Kelly Rippa.

I think you should get both sides of the story, this kid is just looking for his fame before his Idol audition.

I only have three words to this. LEAVE HIM ALONE.

JP, you do seriously need to get your facts straight instead of posting your one-sided stories. And yes, I agree with No. 26. This is just a publicity stunt to get that douche kid on AI, at the same time, making Clay look bad.

I don't believe the bad comments about Clay Aiken.
I have met him and he was very nice. He even gave me a hug because it was my birthday. He was nice to all the other fans that were there too. One lady's camera didn't work and he found another camera for her and made sure the picture would get sent to her.

I have gone to his concerts and they are always so much fun and his singing is awesome. His fans love him and his jokes. He teases his fans in the audience and they tease him back. Josh could not be that much of a fan of Clay if he doesn't know that.

I am sorry that Josh did not get to sing but it was a Christmas concert. Superstitious is not a Christmas song and Josh is old enough to know that. To then talk badly about Clay shows me that Josh is the one acting badly.

I want to thank Clay for the wonderful Christmas concert. I have read about all the other wonderful Christmas concerts you had. Don't let one hater spoil it for you. I loved the symphony too. Can't wait for your summer concerts. Forever your fan.

i kno josh willard me and him have been friends since 7th grade and i fully understand where he was coming from clay was acting stuckup and josh deserves to win american idol he is a really cool guy with a great personlaity

To "Sure your name is Rick" or should it be "Sure you've worked with Aiken":
My name is Rick Garfield, I live in Chapel Hill, NC, I'm an EMT & a gay man who reads this site a lot. Who are you chickenshit posting under an alias? Do you honestly believe that anyone here buys you story about working with Aiken? More made-up crap from the psychos my sister calls "Clayhaters." I used to laugh at her tales, but the more I read the more I see how right she is. Yes, my sister, Allison Garfield of Durham, NC (she won't mind this if I'm sticking up for her precious Clay - LOL!), treated our nieces & nephews to the Greensboro show & yes, she knows a lot about what went on because she used to work at the venue, so she still has friends there. I can tell you that my nieces in particular would have been thrilled with the "treatment" this whiney kid got - they've been wanting to meet Aiken for 3 years. No, Aiken & his people absolutely did not know the kid was singing a non-Christmas song until rehearsal & it would have been completely inappropriate for him to perform Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" at a Symphony holiday show. I mean, seriously, "If you believe in things you don't understand then you suffer" ... real holiday cheer. Yes, if the kid had been smart enough to prepare a Christmas song he would have most likely been allowed to sing, just as the little girl who sang "I Want A Hippo for Christmas" was allowed to sing to my sister's delight. I'm still trying to figure out how Aiken was rude to any of the children. He gave them front row seats along with their families, he gave them a meet&greet backstage, gave them autographs & posed for pictures with them. How by any stretch of the imagination is that being rude? The venue staff said Aiken was nice to everyone, the fans said Aiken was nice to everyone - including greeting personally every single fan who waited outside at every venue - the little girl who sang the hippo song was perfectly happy & so was the other little girl whose song got cut, but got to meet Aiken, even the boy in question seemed perfectly happy with not one complaint according to venue staff. The only disgruntled person was the teenager only after the fact who seemed angry that he didn't get his 15 minutes, so ran to the media in order to get some attention for his upcoming AI audition. I am no Aiken fan - I like dance music, classic rock & lite jazz - but I am also a Libra who despises injustices. Anyone can say anything about any celebrity & it is assumed to be true. I'm guilty as I like gossip as much as anyone, but .... as a gay man, what bugs me the most is that the kid's myspace is full of homophobic trash, so he is certainly no innocent little boy.

I am soo confused as to why people like Clay Aiken. Is it because he started out as akward and geeky and AI changed into ... a singing haircut in leather? And why are women so obsessed with him when he is obviously gay?

Rick, What's the douche kid's myspace? I want to see how homophobic he is if you don't mind. Just reading about him in articles is so annoying whining about how he didn't get to sing for 15 minutes, boo hoo. He must be an annoying kid and gets a mad temper every time he doesn't get his way.

By the way, this isn't who you're responding to, I'm just another person that goes to this site a lot, too. Wondering if you know the addy to the myspace?

#31
Wonderful post and very well stated, thank you .
LAWD JESUS.....I do wonder just how many celebrities can accomodate ALL of their fans ALL of the time ? Is it not enough that he was given a meet & greet (something that some fans would sell a kidney or even a kid for?) .
It is beyond comprehension & reasonable thinking that the song 'Superstition" would be sung at a Christmas concert. It is just silly !
If you want to lable someone a "DIVA" , try Kanye West who can't fit his head thru a doorway . If he does not win an award he goes into a childish tantrum !!

To address #32 on why so many women like Clay Aiken:
To me the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort , but where he stands in moments of challenge & contraversy ! He has certainly had his share by the haters out there & thru it all has stood firm on his strong faith and wanting to make a difference which he has with his BUBEL/AIKEN foundation and as UNICEF AMBASSADOR .

"It does not matter the breaths we take ,
but by the moments that take our breath away "

Clay Aiken has done this on so many occasions , bringing back the joy and love of music with his pipes of perfection and putting smiles on our faces with his comedic timing . Far tooooooo many people are judging by what they '' perceive'" Clay to be and that is just wrong . Clay has stated that he is NOT gay a couple of times, but people just want to believe what they want to believe. Here are his statements:

Rolling Stone cover article in 2003 ... "One thing I`ve found of people in the public eye," Aiken says, either you`re a womanizer or you`ve got to be gay. Since I am neither one of those, people are completely concerned about me."

AND THIS :

2003 Primetime interview with Diane Sawyer ... "(Diane speaking) In Rolling Stone he hinted that he's a virgin and denied what's asked him over and over again--is he gay--he says no. (Clay speaking) Somebody asked it right after the finale of the show in the press conference with Ruben and I. I think the problem is that people don't know what to do with me, they don't know anything about me....I have gotten used to people asking the question. They think OK he doesn't drink, he doesn't go out and have sex with every woman that he sees. I think it's high time that there was somebody who represents the people who AREN'T gay but don't sleep around with everybody."

He has further stated that it is no one's business , which is true . Why are people then not questioning Jodi Foster??? She has never stated if she is or is not ! She keeps it private , just like Clay does .

Well, Perez is currently trying it on with Jodie Foster, but I doubt anyone will pick up on it. Like Clay, she lives her life and just attempts not to discuss it in public. Unlike Clay, the media, gossip bloggers, etc. usually leave her alone.

I'm a Clay fan, and I think he's gay, but it bugs me that so many people hassle him about it just because he looks gay and there are rumors (and they hassled him before the rumors started). Why not hassle people who don't look stereotypically gay? If you read Perez or Datalounge or other gossip sites, there are rumors swirling around many celebs, yet only the obviously gay ones get picked on. It particularly bugs me when gay people do it, seems kind of self loathing to me to make fun of guys who look gay and give a pass to those who don't.

And to subwayslasher, who you are attracted to is based on your own orientation not the other person's. Who cares if Clay is gay or not? I happen to think he's gorgeous (ignore the truly awful pic Queerty keeps using), and the fact that I think he's gay has no bearing on that at all. It's not like I'd ever get to fuck him even if he wasn't gay.

This is in response to Alexa:

I find it strange that you say you are a Clay fan , but believe he is gay. So in other words you believe him to be a liar ? As I have stated Clay has specifically said he is NOT gay , not once but twice . Why can't people take him at his word . This is what boggles my mind. Either Clay is a liar or he is gay .......how sad is that?
So it does matter that his character remains intact. Whether or not people care if the rumors are true is not the point. The POINT is Clay has stated several times that he is straight. So to say that it doesn't matter is to call him a liar.
He said to one interviewer that even though she used different words, it was still the same rumor and an insult to him. Meaning, his word was in question, and these rumors would make him out to be a liar. While it may not matter to some people, it does matter to Clay . It flies in the face of all he has said about who he is. DON'T MISS THE POINT.
This story would not be an issue if the rumors were true. It is only an issue because the rumors are not true.
They are not assaulting his sexuality, they are assulting his very character. Calling him a liar. Trying to convince people that Clay is not who and what he says he is.
Oh yes, it matters to Clay and it should matter to us. The Clay these rags are trying to portray is not the Clay that he portrays to the public. CHARACTER ASSINATION, plain and simple. They are trying to prove something that is not true. So how do you do that ? You print stories like the NE did and hope you can force Clay to try to prove these stories are false. If they can get his fans to doubt who Clay is and to say his sexuality doesn't matter, they win. DIVIDE AND CONQUER
He maintains that he is straight and I will believe that until he tells us something different.
Clay says he wants to be a good role model for kids but being a liar would not be a good role model
Believe me it does matter. It matters to me because I don't want anyone to believe Clay is anything other than who and what he says he is!

I also ask you Alexa if you have seen any of his performances lately cus honey he sure don't look or act gay in any of those. He has many many of us salivating at his every move .

Kayla, you are such a typical stupid homophobic Claymate. You and your kind make me sick, and I'll bet you make Clay sick as well.

1) Yes I've seen him perform recently, I went to two of his Christmas concerts. I was salivating at his every move, too. As I said in my previous response, attraction is based on your own orientation, not the other person's. I think Clay is gay AND hot. See how it works?

2) His sexual orientation doesn't matter to most people. The only people it matters to are twats like Perez and a few homophobic fans who need him to be straight. Clay is what he is and whether he's gay, straight or in between shouldn't make any difference to anyone. IT'S NOT AN INSULT TO THINK HE'S GAY.

3) He has NEVER said he's straight. Saying you are "not gay" is not the same as saying you are straight. I'm bi. That means I'm neither gay nor straight. See how that works? And even if he had said he was straight (and, yes, he did say he wasn't gay a few years ago), I'm not insulting him or attacking his character by believing he's actually gay. For many people, being in the closet is an act of self preservation, and I don't blame them at all for it - especially when people like you would vilify him if he came out.

Anyway, as far as I can see, he's not even really closeted any more. His family and friends know, most people assume he's gay and he doesn't deny it, the only people left thinking he's straight are a few Claymates who are up to their ears in denial. It seems like a pretty sweet deal, actually. He can do whatever he wants in his private life and the Claymates still go on thinking he's straight. Everyone wins. Well, until he switches his webcam back on.

Alexa are you saying that Clays family and friends knows that he is gay? You can't know this unless you know his family and friends.