OH SNAP — Newly out gay dad Clay Aiken attends the GLAAD Media Awards in New York City. Awkwardly.
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Photos: Pacific Coast News
Alexa
What is going on in that third photo? Weird.
Cam
yeah, he is supposedly newly out but took Tyra Banks as his date. Sad.
James
Who does he think he is? You don’t get to lie about being gay for years, come out, and suddenly attend the glaad awards.
Kate
@Cam: He didn’t take Tyra as his date, where did you get that from? He took a really cute guy with him, I could see them from where I was sitting. @James: I’d agree if he was getting an award, but he was presenting one to the awesome Tyra Banks, who is apparently a good friend of his. His speech introducing her was pretty great.
ChristopherM
You know, I understand the previous hostility toward him on this issue because he was not honest. He has since been honest, and not because he was forced out of the closet by a tabloid. I am not a fan, but was touched when he said he couldn’t bring his child up in a lie. Give the guy a chance to redeem himself.
Jeebus, I sound like an effing Claymate! Bleah!
Kirk
@James: We should be more welcoming. I’m all for giving someone a second chance. I give Clay Aiken more credit than some celebrities still cowering in the closet – some who have done it for decades while advancing their careers.
scott
it’s weird. For some reason, people (and it’s really sad when it’s LGBT people) hate Clay. And for no apparent good reason.
Hate on Jamaica. Hate on Falwell. Hate on LGBT oppressors and bigots. Don’t hate on our own people.
And btw, yet again Queerty publishes an item about Clay even tho they were whining about too much coverage on Clay. Hippocritical.
And that home page is still a mess. I’ll never use that page. But even when I go to the less messier page after a period of time it forwards me to the home pg. Queerty is sooo using bad tactics to get their impressions up.
Bruno
@ChristopherM:
Except most of our BS detectors go off when we realize it was less about having a child and more about priorities changing. i.e.: his singing career was all but over so it didn’t matter as much. I know that record companies for the most part demand that their closeted gay artists stay that way, so I have sympathy, but I do believe his main motivations were financial.
SG
I’m not getting it either. Why are you making fun of him again? Its despicable to keep ragging on him for no reason.
SG
@Bruno:
The guy is releasing a new album tomorrow. What makes you think his singing career is over?
Alexa
@Kate: Cam pays too much attention to Perez. For some reason known only to himself, Perez lied and said Clay took Tyra as his date, even though he actually took his boyfriend.
@Bruno: He sure got screwed if his motivation was financial. He lost lots of fans and his record contract after he came out. The “new album” is a compilation of old tracks put out by his old label (though I assume they figure it will sell something or they wouldn’t bother releasing it).
plasticsurgery
@SG: Uh, the “new album” is being released by RCA of his OLD albums. It’s a legend album. After RCA let him go, they’re releasing it. Jeeze, Claymates need to stop lying.
Bruno
@Alexa:
Did you read what I wrote? His motivation to stay IN the closet was financial. Once that motivation was no longer in any kind of real play, he was free to come out. He’s not the first and won’t be the last to play it this way…ask anyone from Lance Bass to Darren Hayes. At least they’re coming out eventually.
Jim
@SG: Yeah on some no name independent label since he was dropped by his prior recording company (ya know, the real one)…..
Paul
Why oh why must you post pictures of this hideous troll. Can’t you give some kind of warning for those of us that just ate lunch???? Christ, he get’s fuglier and fuglier every day – I sure hope that little test tube baby looks like his Mommy, but likes dick like his “Daddy”…..
Alexa
@Bruno: Yes, I did, maybe I misunderstood what you were saying. I agree it was about his priorities changing, but it was more because he was tired of hiding and lying (by omission, not by actually lying) and wanting to be open than because his career was over. And I imagine it’s a scary thing when you realize that people who claim to love you (some of his Christian fans) are going to suddenly hate you overnight.
tj
It appears to me that Clay’s biggest detractors are those that do not subscribe to the right of a person to come out when that person is ready. That seems to go against the best interest of the gay and lesbian community. What kind of role model or example can a person be if they are not yet comfortable with themselves, or when they are still dealing with coming out to family and friends?
SG
@Jim: The label is Sony Legacy which is not some no name independent label. Check out the other “losers” that are releasing these Best Of compilations. By the way, Clay is listed as the producer of the album.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_m?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=Playlist%3A+The+Very+Best+Of&x=16&y=15
June Schmidt
Why are people still so nasty since Clay came out of the closet? Still have to criticise every move the guy makes and then comment on his looks, his clothes, his family, his friends, his career. Does anyone that talks this trash actually know the guy? Nope? So why the nastiness? Sorry – Just don’t get it!
It seems he would have been better off to lie about being gay and just stay in the closet where it’s safer and certainly better for his health. Homophobia is bad enough in our country with out some gays joining in on the bandwagon.
For those that are gay and in the entertainment business – well watch what happens to those that decide to come out and observe and learn from it. If it is important to you to earn a living for your family – then stay in the closet as you will get more work, more support, and no where near the nastiness you’ll find after any attempt to be open and honest about who you really are. The vampires are ready to pounce.
Sherrie
He lost his recording contract last May 2008, two weeks after his last album was released which bombed. He did not come out of the closet until September 23, 2008, 4 months later. He has been lying about everything and has not stopped just because he said he would in People Magazine.
scott
so say Clay lied (I’m not saying he did). Goodness, what’s it to you? Why do u really care? Unless ur a fan. And I get it if you feel betrayed. But really, it’s Clay Aiken, not Michael Jackson circa 1983.
I think it’s kind of sad, how people are so bitter at Clay. But whatever.
You keep on groovin’ Clay and PLEASE put out a better album ala Kelly Clarkson/ Daughtry/ even Carrie Underwood. Please stop with the LiteFM bs.
John Paulus
Clay Aiken only came out because People Magazine offered him more money for his baby pictures if it were in conjunction with his coming out. It was all about the $$$$. And although his baby mama/executive producer claims that he didn’t accept any $$$$, People Magazine claims that they paid him $750,000. After his record label dropped him back in May of 2008, he saw this as his last opportunity to cash in. It was self-serving and nothing more.
Russ
So is it any improved for Clay now that he’s out & mingling fully w/ his fellow gays? Is his career, his future all the more brighter & secure now?
Carole H
I am straight white female married to a transgendered person … who “came out” to me after we were married. We are still together and will be celebrating our 20th anniversary in May.
I can’t believe that the gay community is condemning Clay for coming out on his own timetable and when he was ready. From what I understand, no one should be pushed or outed. By the way, his music career will continue and he was in a starring role in Spamalot on Broadway for the better part of 2008 so he hasn’t been idle.
How many celebs would give their fans a chance to say what they wanted to say on their fan club boards for two weeks after he came out … hateful, nasty, homophobic things that had a lot of diehard fans almost in tears?
He’s out, he’s proud and he’s happy and I couldn’t wish anyone more success and happiness. He is so deserving of it.
June
Dear Clay:
Coming out of the closet does not excuse you from being a jerk to some fans or any of your old friends. Gay or straight – a jerk is still a jerk.
Rose
@Cam: He didn’t take Tyra as his date, he took his boyfriend There is youtube of them arriving together and pictures of them together at the event. If you are getting your news from Perez you are dumb
John Paulus
Clay Aiken came out to his family, friends, employees, etc three years before his announcement in People Magazine. The only reason he didn’t come out earlier was to cash in. He sold himself and the gay community out. With all the money he made pimping his story to People Magazine- he should have donated a portion of that to the gay community.
Aaron J.
Not John Paulus!
Harry
OMG. John Paulus is here. Y’all JP is the GAY GREEN BERET who now claims that Clay raped him Jan 2006. This guy has been stalking Clay for over three years and using his blog to do it. John Paulus is certifiable.
Clay took his boyfriend, Reed Kelly, to GLAAD. Reed is a cute dancer who just finished over five years with Wicked on Broadway. He’s 6’2″ and also a model. He and Clay make a cute couple.
Kate
@Alexa: Thanks. Perez is definitely lying, I could see Clay and his friend very well from where I was sitting.
@Sherrie: where did you get that information? While I don’t know the specifics of Clay’s case I can tell you that’s not how the record industry works. Nobody gets dropped two weeks after their album drops, it just doesn’t work that way.
John Paulus
Did you want an autograph? lol
sue
Oh – and John Paulus didn’t sell HIMSELF out? And is still trying to make money and get attention from a great big fat huge lie? The man wouldn’t know the truth if it smacked him in the balls.
You people are disgusting. Let Clay Aiken alone. Dont’ you have anybody else to diss?
John Paulus
Looks like the Claymates have invaded a gay blog. Can we throw Clay back in the closet and with any luck his classless and vile fans will go with him.
Barb
Here come all of Clay’s mommies to defend him (what’s left of them)….just like clockwork.
Sherrie
Clay had a 5 year contract with RCA. He signed it in May 2003 when the Finale of AI2 aired. It was up 5 years later in May 2008. They did NOT pick up their option to renew his contract. The album was released May 6, 2008 and he only promoted it 2 weeks . Then Jaymes was photographed by TMZ in MAY and her pregnancy was revealed and Clay refused to talk again untill his baby was born 08/08/08. He did not show a picture of the child until he got payed for the cover of People Magazine in September at which time he came out. Clay has not showed a picture of the child again since September 2008, 6 months ago. Clay was removed from the RCA site last summer.
susan
Love the pictures of Clay Aiken…He so HOT!!! Every gay on this earth should be able to come out when they are ready.
Use your voice Clay
scott
actually, i’d rather get rid of you fake John Paulus and all the other bully Clay/gay bashers. And Clay doesn’t owe you, me or the gay community crap.
John Paulus
Uh Scott aka female Claymate posing as a gay man, (still won’t get you into Clay’s pants), we don’t gay bash. In fact, while his so-called fans harassed anyone who even hinted that Clay was gay, we stood by to support Clay. You Claymates are despicable creatures.
Kate
@Sherrie: Again, that’s not how the record industry works. Contracts are for a number of albums not for a set period of time. As I said, I don’t know the specifics of Clay’s case, but I have never known any other artist have a contract similar to the one you say Clay had and I have worked in the industry for almost ten years. Where did you get your information? I’m not sure what Clay’s baby and Jaymes (the baby’s mother, I assume) have to do with his record contract.
Estelle
@John Paulus: Coming from the troll that can’t let go of an alleged quicky? You have apologized publicly to Clay Aiken at least 3 times in the press for all of your malicious blogs. You even apologized for making up the hook-up story and admitted you never had sex with him and here you are lying your face off again about supporting him. You are still blogging your hatred every day. You’re off your rocker buddy. Get some mental help.
obiwan
I saw Paulus on Twitter the other night tweeting like a madman about Aiken raping him…. LOL! He even sent vulgar replies to random people who were tweeting about being at GLAAD!! The guy is completely insane. Btw, not a fan, but I think Aiken’s cute as hell. I didn’t come out till I was 30, so I can relate.
scott
@ John Paulus aka fake, sad, pathetic alias
Uh… “john Paulus”, ewwwwwww. This gay man, while I’ll support Clay because I think you and others are being bullies and bashing him for no reason… whatsoever, I so do not want to get into his pants. Thank you much.
If ur not still in the closet, I think ur definitely in the closet about your love for Clay. Really, the hard on you and Queerty have for him. You won’t let it go because you LOOOOOOOOOOVE him. Admit it. Just like Queerty.
Oh and generalize much? Maybe there were some claymates who still supported him. Do you know all the claymates?
John Paulus
Estelle-
I hate to break your Claymate heart, but I have NEVER apologized about a “made up” hook-up story. I met Clay in a hotel room where he and I had sex. You are free to read about it here:
http://paulusrant.blogspot.com/
Derek
I saw this freak Paulus all over Twitter as well. The only thing big about the guy appears to be his immense swollen ego. Google the bitch as I did – he has multiple blogs. He wants to be Perez. Probably wants into Perez’s pants, too. He must jerk off to that new guy in American Idol as he carries on about him like a 13 year old with a hard on. If this ass does not fit the profile of a freaking stalker – I don’t know what does. I mean – who the hell obsesses about a one night stand years after the fact? No one playing with a full deck, that’s for sure. Do we need this bitch advertising Herself and Her self-promoting blogs all over Queerty?
I also did not come out until I was 32 – two years ago. And fuck any of you who think I had to come out when you decided I should and not when I was ready. I would have thought we had moved long past all that shit. I guess not.
lou
Clay is a great guy. His philanthropy is amazing and his heart is huge. Sadly, he knew how dismissive many would be and he had to work it all out. How many gays have not lied before coming olut? I just don’t get the Clay hate and the need to beat him up. I have always liked him. He’s one of the good guys and he will now be front and center about all things he supports. It’s been really hard for him but now he can be real. Be real yourselves and give him a chance. I personally can’t stand Perez Hilton. What a nasty souless creature he is. HATE how he pressures folks. HATE IT!
Estelle
@John Paulus: Sure, and I reamed your ass behind the score board at an NFL game last year. Don’t you believe me? I’ll stamp my little foot and run multiple hate blogs about you for 3 years if you don’t confess. I’ve got a white towel too you know!
utf
It appears that Clay Aiken is the flavor of the month for GLAAD. A year ago they would not have given him the time of day. Hypocrites, much? Aiken is at 14:59 of his 15 minutes.
daffodil
What happened to this man’s face? He almost looks not gay now. Did he do anti-homo surgery?
scott
@Derek:
LOL. I was trying to take the high road, but I love you’re spirit dude. Good for you!!!
TJ
@Sherrie:
You are correct. Clay was dropped by RCA months before he came out. Someone who is supportive and sympathetic to the LGBT community would not have done this:
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/idol%20star%20aiken%20caught%20up%20in%20church%20gay%20controversy_1045817
scott
@TJ:
He wasn’t ready to come out. Sheesh. Why can’t you people understand that? It’s pretty simple. Now he’s out so he can be supportive to the LGBT, if he wants to.
In point of fact, why should he? Why does he have to be supportive and sympathetic? Did he say he is? Was this after he came out? And if so, then has he shown he is supportive and sympathetic after he came out?
Seriously. Were you supportive and sympathetic before you came out? Are you out? What do you consider supportive and sympathetic?
Tara
Of course Clay Aiken wasn’t ready to come out. As long as he could keep raking in the money from the Claymates who believed all of the lies he told on TV, in magazines, newspapers, the self-serving book he wrote, etc., there’s no way he would ever be ready to come out. He knew what his demograhic was: basically middle-aged women who liked to take their kids/grandkids to see him because he painted himself as a sweet, shy, innocent, religious, Southern mama’s boy who made sure everything he did in his concerts, etc. was “family-friendly” (a Clayism he always used that comes to mind and makes me sick every time I see a photo of him grabbing a woman’s breasts or making an obscene gesture.) There were also the middle-aged Claymates who liked him for their sick sexual fantasies about him – the ones whose “ovaries he shook,” etc. He didn’t want to disillusion THOSE Claymates, either, thereby losing their money, too. His “music” just kept getting crappier and his CD’s quit selling, so his fan base had dwindled anyway, but when TMZ leaked the story of the baby, he pretty much HAD to come out. Even the most “enthusiastic” Claymates had a hard time convincing themselves that their “boyfriend” was straight, given the circumstances of the baby’s conception. Instead of just coming out, he waited until he could get the highest price possible from “People,” and used the baby on the cover as a “shield.” It was like he was saying to the Claymates, “Look at the baby. You can’t hate me – I have a baby.” He was hoping the Claymates would fawn all over the baby and forget all of the lies all of those years. With Clay Aiken, it’s all about the money. He never even mentions the baby in his inane blogs he writes for the handful of fans he has left. Clay Aiken is a disgrace, and not just to the gay community.
Alexa
Oy.
I don’t know who’s worse, the dumb Claymates who are still trolling the internet defending him, or John Paulus (and his accolytes) who is still obsessed with Clay three years after their hookup. Boy, Clay must be good in bed to have that kind of effect on someone.
rs
Looks like the members of the Clay Aiken hate site have come here to spin their agenda. People don’t believe these sites exist but they do. The members talk about everything negative and if it isn’t negative they spin it in a negative way. Then they all branch out to post on any site that mentions Clay. How sad are these people like Tara and Shelli? Look it up Clay Aiken Fraud Squad–full of nothing but hate, contempt, lies, and spin.
John Paulus wrote his confession a couple years ago then tried to take it back. Clay’s b/f called him a creepy stalker. He’s been blogging about his alleged hook-up for 3 1/2 years now.
Franco
I often wonder why blogs like this are so critical of Clay Aiken. Might it have something to do with the his appearance, that his looks don’t meet the criteria that is expected of gay men? It appears quite slanted in my estimation.
Rick
In the beginning in 2004 Clay raised $50,000 for BC/EFA. Subsequently, through Clothes Off Our Backs, eBay, and his work on B’way, he has raised well over $500,000. As soon as his contract ended with RCA, he came out!
Examples of money raised:
A poster sold for $15,000
Kenneth Cole tux, shoes $27,500
Sir Robin teddy bear $17,000
Donation from fans $3,000
Spam came in 2nd place last year with the donations for BC/EFA.
BC/EFA is an organization whose mission is:
– to mobilize the unique abilities within the entertainment industry to mitigate the suffering of individuals affected by HIV/AIDS
– to ensure direct support specifically through the social services and programs of the Actors’ Fund to all individuals in the entertainment industry affected by critical health issues, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS
– to support organizations across the country which provide treatment or services for people specifically affected by HIV/AIDS and their families.
– to increase national and international public awareness and understanding of hiv/aids through the creation and dissemination of educational materials and the provision of support thereof,
– to promote and encourage public support for programs and services which benefit people living with HIV/AIDS
– to facilitate the fundraising capabilities specifically of the theatre community, in order to address and support an urgent crisis or need in the name of the theatre community, as directed by the board of trustees
He’s only just begun. If Clay works as hard for GLBT as he did for Ronald McDonald, Toys for Tots, and UNICEF, the gay community could do a lot worse. Give him a chance.
Perhaps the writer and others criticizing Clay can tell what they have done in this regard.
Adam L.
@John Paulus: Ha Ha you are just bitter because Clay didn’t like you.
Adam L.
@Tara:
Umm how come you know so much about him? Oh you were one of those loony claymates who hate him now because he couldn’t live up to your expectations. Let the guy live his life.
Adam L.
@John Paulus:
Looks like you had to come here to join in the discussion about Clay. I’ve been told you want to live your life but the claymates won’t let you. Ha!
Good thing I was told to stay away from you.
Adam L.
@tj: I applaud this. Some, such as myself, are more comfortable early on than others.
Lulu
@<a href=”#comme@Alexa: nt-139498″>John Paulus:
Obviously, Paulus stunk in bed since he didn’t get a call back. Now he’s jealous because Clay has a boyfriend and it isn’t him. Clay’s boyfriend of almost 2 years, Reed Kelly, called Paulus a “creepy stalker” and Paulus is behaving just like one, moving ever so much closer to Clay’s home, even shopping in the same market. He drags his elderly mother around as his cover to all the restaurants Clay frequents in the Raleigh area in the hopes of bumping into Clay. Pathetic loser.
Lulu
@John Paulus:
John Paulus outed Clay Aiken against his will and when he wasn’t ready just to get himself a porn career. He couldn’t do it on his own because in real life and not in heavily airbrushed photos, he looks like something the cat dragged in. Five foot nothing, going bald and with a short, squatty body and an oversized ass. He’s a narcissist who thinks he’s hot shit, but in reality, he’s so ordinary looking as to be completely forgettable. He lives in a fantasy world where every gay celebrity, especially young ones, want to have sex with him.
That’s John Paulus’s contribution to the gay community. His delusions of grandeur. He’s an embarrassment to any community.
Cam
@Rose:
Rose, there may be YOUTUBE of them arriving together, but he posed on the Red Carpet with Tyra. It’s the same crap that Rosie O’Donnell used to pull. She would arrive in a car with her girlfriend, then walk down the carpet with some other celeb or by herself.
As for all of you people sitting here saying things like “Even if Clay lied…and I’m not saying he did” could you please make it a little less obvious that you are one of his obsessive crazy fans. I have something to tell you that may just help you get through the rest of your life a lot easier. you can like a singer, and the songs they sing, without investing yourself completely in them. i.e. just because you like somebody’s songs, it doesn’t mean that they are a great person, want to be your best friend, or are going to come and rescue you from your boring life and take you to live with them up in their big house on the hill. So as for Clay…
Yes, his singing career was in the toilet, he had just been dumped by his record label, People magazine paid him more to come out, he had nothing to lose, and last but not least, as for lying…um, I believe that he denied the sexual tryst with that former Green Beret several years back….remember, he wasn’t gay back then.
Cam
Oh, and one more thing…..Don’t you all just love the fact that all the people freaking out on here and defending Clay as such a wonderful boy have screenames like “Rose, LuLu, Estelle etc..”
Does this guy have any fans under the age of 70?
Lulu
@John Paulus:
Clay’s coming out to People was self-serving and nothing more? How about Paulus using Clay’s name to get his very tiny foot and the requisite body parts that go with it in the door of a porn producer? Ya think that was self-serving?
Clay said he wasn’t going to respond to sleazy opportunists looking for an easy payday. He was talking about Paulus.
Lulu
@Cam:
So nice to know that Cam is such a contemporary, trendy name. Coincidentally, my grandfather’s name was Cameron, Cam for short. How the pendulum swings back!
lou
Oh please! All of you asses need to get a life and leave Clay Aiken alone. He’s doing just fine and has the wealth, talent and brains to continue to make it. He is a talented man with a good mind and a big heart. That is all that matters in the big picture. I really could care less about what the morons who waste their lives on the internet slamming Clay do. What self respecting gay person would fault him for being in the closet to protect himself, his livlihood and his psyche. Until he was ready he did what he needed to do. He made money because of his talent and he raised money for good causes because of his good heart. Get over yourselves already and get a life of your own.
I AM a big fan of his and I have no problem saying that. I’m not obsessed and I don’t follow him all over the country but I have been moved by the hatred and I have to speak my mind. Those who hate and mock him should take a good look at yourselves and ask yourselves why? None of you know this guy. He is a total stranger and yet you spew all this negative energy out there. WHY? I’d say you are lacking somewhere and please don’t even get me started on that stalker dude who needs a shrink pronto. Yeah Paulus, I’m talking to you, you sick f****r!
Kirk
Claymates, please stop defending Clay. He has asked you on multiple occasions not to do it. If you can’t show restraint for your own sake, please stop for Clay’s sake.
elpheba
Alexa said:
Boy, Clay must be good in bed to have that kind of effect on someone.
I’d be obsessed with someone who could last 90 freaking minutes– according to the creepy stalker–if one were to believe him. I’d like to believe that part.
So someone up there said we have sick sexual fantasies—I’ll cop to that, I’d love to be the middle of a Clay/Reed sandwich.
susan
Clay Aiken has never said a bad thing about anyone, anywhere…
EVER
He takes the crap thrown at him and dose not bitch and mown and wine. He quietly lives his life and gives meaning to the word inclusion. With out question he is making a deference. Are you?
Tonto
“No. 68 · Kirk
Claymates, please stop defending Clay. He has asked you on multiple occasions not to do it. If you can’t show restraint for your own sake, please stop for Clay’s sake.”
Kirk, you know that ain’t going to happen.
Frankly the Claymates & haters can’t stop making assholes of themselves – so just let them knock each other to the ground w/ this neverending argument. Neither sides realizes Clay doesn’t give 2 shits about their causes.
smithy
In my opinion, Clay is strictly in it for himself. He presented himself to his paying customers one way till the money started going away. Why did he tell Diane Sawyer in 2006 that it “wouldn’t make any sense” to say that he was gay”? because it would make more sense to him to wait till he could tell People magazine and get paid for it. Now it seems like he’s only known for being gay even though he said being gay was such a small part of who he is.
Derek
I bet we can play a great drinking game… every time Clay Aiken gets mentioned online – you get a shot for every utterance this Paulus queen makes to promote his sorry ass. We should all be drunk in a matter of minutes. He’ll insert himself into every conversation possible. By the way, Paulus – kindly do NOT say WE… as in You and I are part of the same gay community. No fucking way. Unless most of us are as obsessed as you are.
WTF is it with all those posting here who claim they know any celeb’s motives? What a load of crap. For the record – I have copped a feel of some boobies for fun photos and it didn’t mean that I was “hiding” anything. Just screwing around with friends. Although my mother probably has those pics in her wallet as a memory of what could have been.
Jesus – there are far too many self-important, self-styled psychoanalysts running around out there for my taste…. and far too many self-promoting stalking whack jobs.
It makes you wonder why anyone would chose to come out… fprtunately for me – I was not “important” enough for the wolf pack to come after me.
kit
The OTT marchers with the butt cut out of their pants should not be the voice for gay rights. That causes setbacks. The in-your- face bitter, jealous bloggers should not be the voice for gay rights either. Nothing in-your-face and ugly ever gets a good result.
However, Clay Aiken can do wonders for the straight world’s view of the gay world. He quietly supports underprivileged children, the handicapped, inclusion, and numerous other causes through his own charitable foundation, BAF, his UNICEF ambassadorship, Toys for Tots, Broadway Cares, etc. He lives his life in a very respectable, non-OTT manner. Is that not how you want the straight world to view you? Then stop this incessant dissing of a fine young man who is now choosing to support all things gay. Instead, throw your support behind him and watch the great results you’ll get.
Estelle
@Tonto: “Frankly the Claymates & haters can’t stop making assholes of themselves”
Estelle is French for Star, for your information and I took that name because that is who I am. Its so cute how you talk to yourself as if YOU were 2 different people, and here you are making an asshole of yourself along with everyone else who has an opinion or are you special?
Bill
Clay Aiken could barely say the word “gay” for five years so now he’s going to become a poster boy for the gay community. I’d rather hear from a celebrity that was out and proud before he became wealthy and famous. You’re making a fool of yourself Clay because you can’t rewrite the last five years plus you look very uncomfortable in your new role.
Alexa
Who do you suggest then, Bill? Which celebrity with the reach of Clay Aiken in the US would you approve of? Clay being out may mean little in the gay community, but that’s not really the point. The more well known people who come out, the more the rest of the country will realize we are not freaks, we are just like them (some of us 😉 ), and the more comfortable young people will be coming out. If their mom is a Clay fan and has come to accept him, maybe a kid will find it easier to come out to her. People like Clay, Lance Bass, Neil Patrick Harris and TR Knight all help – and they were ALL closeted to the public while they were becoming wealthy and famous, not just Clay.
Cam
@kit:
Typical, you hate gays but you reluctantly support them now that Clay is one of them. The fact that you discriminate other areas of the community just to be able to say that Clay Aiken would be a great person to reach out for gays is ridiculous. What reach does he have? Neil Patrick Harris, Ellen and T.R. Knight have hit shows, Martina Navritolova still holds incredible records in sports, Mathew Mitchum competed in the olympics as openly gay and won a gold medal in diving at the last games. Those are people that can command some attention or respoect. Some singer, finally coming out after his last CD tanks and is dropped by his record label is no different than Lance Bass coming out…in other words it’s nothing.
Cam
@Alexa:
Actually Alexa, your point is well taken and I agree with you.
I think there would be more common ground between gays and the Clay Aiken fans if most of them didn’t come off as so such self rightious angry people with a victim complex. It can get very offputting when some 50 year old woman tries to tell out gay people how hard it must be for poor Clay to come out and how he is so much more brave than others. They need to remember, that EVERY gay person has had to deal with that, and most did not have millions of dollars to insulate us from the world if the world did not like our coming out. Gays getting outed in the Military and losing their jobs and familes, getting fired from work, getting kicked out of their homes as teenagers do not want to be lectured to about how tough it must have been for poor Clay to come out. If more posts were like yours this conversation would have gone down much smoother.
Estelle
Most gay people come out to a handful of people in their immediate lives. Some of them come out at work and school but many of them don’t, in order to keep their jobs. To come out to the whole world is a much bigger step, that most celebrities don’t do, unless they are forced.
Clay was out to his family and friends for years. His band, backup singers, management and crew all knew. The final step of coming out in the media was on his own time and his own choice. He was out to everyone that mattered before the People Cover. He said in interviews that his sexuality was none of your business. He was right.
Cam
Estelle, please don’t purport to know how everybody in the gay community lives their lives. One 16 year old kid coming out in high-school or a gay man coming out who works in sales in a boys club work environment, or a lesbian coming out in a company and trying to do her job takes much more bravery than what Clay Aiken did. I’m happy to congratulate the guy on coming out and having a kid, but do not try to foist him on us as some sort of hero, he hid when he could have done some good, now that he doesn’t have the same career he comes out. Not brave, not a hero.
scott
@Cam:
While I agree that Estelle should not speak for “most” gay people. She didn’t purport to know how “everybody” in the gay community lives their lives. Exaggerate much?
I also don’t think she’s “foisting” him on us as a hero. She’s explaining his background. I think you’re reading into things.
And I think it’s sad that you try and compare Clay’s coming out story to anyone else’s. Whether it be bravery, heroic, foolishness or whatever… every individual has a different story and sees things differently. Maybe to him/her their experiences are more traumatic or less.
Let live. Be tolerant. Don’t judge. Isn’t that what LGBT people are looking for? Why aren’t we giving that up for Clay?
scott
@Cam:
Again. Generalize much? While I will agree that “probably” most of Clays fans are older women, really, to generalize them into 50 year olds who are off putting is sad and I think reveals more about you bias nature towards Clay.
I’ve seen several people so far on this board come to his defense and nowhere did I see them say they were 50 year old women.
Oh and please don’t purport to speak for gays. I don’t mind hearing from his fans unless they are offensive and rude unjustly. (and I will agree I think I’ve seen maybe one or two here but I’m not certain it was uncalled for).
It’s funny how you keep trying to put him down and how you feel their is this hero worship thing. Who cares if posed with Tyra? He did give her the award. Were you actually at the event? Did you see him slyly sneak away from his BF and pose with her when the cameras started shooting pics? Puhleesee. Get a grip.
DS
What is wrong with 50 year old women, LOL? Ageist much? Do we grow scabs and wither away at that age or are we just supposed to sit in the corner knitting? WE are of the generation of Woodstock, Joplin, Bowie, the Stones, Blondie, The Sex Pistols, the sexual revolution, etc.. I’m effing sick and tired of being marginalized and treated and talked about as if I have some disease because I happen to be a woman over 50. Or is it only men our age that are allowed to enjoy music and attend concerts without being ridiculed?
Having gotten that off my chest….I thought the pictures of Clay were cute (with a couple of bad ones in there, yikes!) Yes, I’m a fan. (But please don’t call me a “Claymate” – the majority of fans do not identify with that name, despite media and “hater” insistence otherwise.) It does grow wearisome seeing the unrelenting hate re: Clay spewed everywhere. I understand your “he should have come out sooner” perspective, but don’t agree with it. I don’t think it takes into account Clay Aiken, the human being.
We are all individuals, each with our own personal demons and issues, strengths and weaknesses. Clay is the same. Perhaps he should’ve come out sooner. I don’t know. I get the feeling he was a very insecure guy growing up, bullied, rejected by both birth father and step-father, so maybe that was part of his fear…another rejection. Who knows, could be many things, but I don’t feel in a position to judge. That old thing about walking a mile in another man’s shoes… Anyway, I get why some people are pissed, even though I don’t agree. We all have our opinions.
Also, let me address a few things I just read.
1. According to Jaymes, Clay’s child’s mother, he did NOT get paid for that People cover. She was adamant about that, despite what msnbc or the tabloids say. (They get sooo much wrong!)
2. Don’t write off Clay’s career just yet. That is a “haters” wet dream and what they admittedly have been hoping for, and doing their part to achieve (spreading rumors, running hate sites, etc.) for over 6 years now. The accusations constantly leveled at him by these same people (who don’t know him) are just OTT and ridiculous.
3. LOL at the comment about minute 14:59 in 15 minutes of fame. It’s been SIX YEARS! Fifteen minutes would’ve been over years ago! Time to accept it.
4. I agree with the comments that can’t understand the hatred that flows towards Clay. He’s a good man. How many other celebrities, let alone celebrities who happen to be gay men, are UNICEF ambassadors (he’s traveled everywhere from war torn Uganda and Afghanistan to the Tsunami stricken regions of Indonesia), have started their own successful charitable foundation for children’s inclusion efforts, have raised 100s of thousands of dollars for AIDs related programs (dollars largely provided by those Clayfans you all so despise), and are open and high-profile gay fathers. I seriously don’t get the hatred, especially from people who don’t know the guy. Don’t like his voice and music, fine. But the rest? wtf?
5. John Paulus is definitely a stalker, a serious one. The fact that he has been given any voice and credibility in any media is mind-boggling. They wouldn’t do the same for Jodie Foster’s stalker, so why is it OK for Clay’s? Is it because he hasn’t resorted to violence yet? Is it because it involves a gay man stalking another gay man? Why does no one seem to care and instead give him interview time? Yes he did deny the whole “incident” ever happened. I saw it when he admitted it. And even if it had happened, his behaviour since then is scary-stalkerish. (As noted above.) That would make him the true internet date from hell.
LeeAnn
As DS stated above, there certainly is a recant by Paulus about his crazy story. He has claimed it was all just a joke, but it wasn’t. You can read it for yourself.
http://clay-aiken-news.blogspot.com/2007/10/john-paulus-recant.html
Paulus is a liar, an opportunist, and if you look in the dictionary next to Sociopath, his picture should be right there.
He is everything that represents the bad for the gay community.
daffodil
@DS:
It’s probably 14:59 and 30 seconds by now.
Whatever happened to the kid? Not been seen since the People magazine.
Andy
@LeeAnn:
Wow, this Paulus guy is a nut. He really said that the confession was a joke? That’s funny because it looks very real to me.
Has anyone tried to get this guy some professional help? If not they should. He is in serious need of it.
Cam
Is it standard speak to say “…..much? When defending your idol? That is the part that is so sad. You come here, you start attacking anybody that doesn’t think the sun rises and sets on your boys face. The fact of the matter is, you’ve decided that you are big fans of his. Good for you, but don’t try to foist him off on us and somebody that we should support and admire. As for making judgement calls on the age and sex of his fanbase, why are YOU so afriad to be classified? Looking at any pictures of his fans at concerts will clearly show the average age and sex of his fanbase. If you think that there is a problem with people of that age and sex or are embarassed of being lumped in with them, then I’m sorry for you. But again, you have taken somebody who’s song stylings you admire and are rabidly going after people that do not agree that he is a somebody to pattern our lives after. You say I can’t speak for the gay community, well I can speak for them much more than you can and I can tell you that Clay Aiken will never be held in the regard that Ellen or Navratalova or Mathew Mitchem, or T.R. Knight, or the head of the Gill fun, or anybody else in that group is held in. If he wants to aspire to something, let him aspire to be the next Lance Bass. They can sit down and discuss over drinks what it was like to cowardly hide in the closet until their careers hit the skids.
Cam
Oh and as for that Paulus guy…..the one thing I think we can all agree one is this…..
A one night stand and you are STILL obsessing about it years later and trying to communicate with him? Get over it! That is seriously scary behavior.
scott
@Cam:
I don’t care if you hate him, don’t like him, whatever. I don’t understand the hatred, tho.
And most likely that’s my issue with most of the haters here. If he got on a soapbox and said, I’m representing all of gaydom, and you should honor me. Then yeah, I’d be pissed too. But he’s not. You guys are the ones putting these words, per se, into his mouth. I also never said you should admire him. You again are putting words in people’s mouths.
I take issue with assumptions you made and your non-facts. I’m not afraid to be classified. I also hate most of his songs from the last records, I’ve said it before. I am a fan of his voice and what he does charity-wise and how he’s a good sport about Clay-haters.
I’m gay and in my late thirties. Try not to assume things about people and generalize because it makes your arguments not logical. And don’t speak for this gay dude. Thank you much.
I hold Clay in as high regard to any of those people you mention. And yet again, you say he “if he wants to aspire,” what makes you think that? Do you have proof? What is your damage with him and makes you put these ideals that you think he has on him? It’s all very weird.
I guess I should feel sorry for you. I’m just confused by you instead.
Cam
See, that is the problem, you confuse non appriciating, not enjoying etc.. with hate, and then you use that word “Haters”.
You would sound more reasonable but for the fact that you take any disparagement of clay Aiken as a personal attack on him and not the expression of perfectly legitamate opinions about his behavior. Calling anybody on the other side a “Hater” is just crating an enemy where none exists and is an attempt to continually direct the conversation away from whatever the subject was. Tell yourself that everybody posting here “Hates” Clay Aiken if it makes you feel better, but the fact is, you cannot come on here and try to turn him into a sad victim. he is in control of his life and behaves as he wants. If I do not approve of that, much the same way I don’t like the path Lance Bass took, or the kind of mother Pam Anderson is, or the fact that the W. Brothers are holding up production on the next season of Project Runway by not settling a lawsuit, those are my opinions formed through observation. Your attempt to classify me as a “Hater” would make me seriously doubt 2 things.
1. That you are actually rationally reading these posts.
2. That you are a gay man in your 30’s since outside of Clay Aiken fans and 14 year old girls from the south, nobody uses the word “Haters”.
scott
@Cam:
There you go generalize things again. And that’s the problem I see. Only 14 year old girls from the south use “haters.” With that logic, all gay men are lispers who work as hair stylists. I’m rolling my eyes here. Wait, what am I now? What demographic only rolls their eyes?
And you also pick on things you want to see. You didn’t answer any of my questions as to your reasoning for your “non-appreciating” of Clay. If you read the first line, I said, hate him, dislike him, whatever. Yes, I guess I should have said that or some approximation in every line but I thought you got my drift. Wait, which demo uses “got my drift”? Did I just switch demos again?
This is my problem with “non-appreciative people” of Clay, like you. I’m going to assume, which is a bad thing, that you are a gay man, and want people to not pigeon-hole gays and yet, you’re willing to go and do that to others. Then again, maybe you don’t mind the pigeon-holing.
Cam
See, now THIS is how I know for sure that you are not a gay man, you are a fan of Clay Aiken’s and are making up the rest of it. A good friend of mine who’s mother is a fan said that the typical fan will never let anything go, they will keep coming back to the site to post and repost, so we figured we would see, just how long after this article ran people would continue to post on it. I see that she was right. Frankly, keep doing what you are doing, his rabid fans turned off the press and the hetro community, so if you want to damage him even more in the gay community keep coming on to websites to decry how unsupportive and discriminatory the gay community is. Play the Clay as victim card all you want, all you do is switch most of our perceptions of him from indiference to dislike. Well done, keep up the good work.
ICU
@Cam:
And your little diatribe proves who you are and where you’re from. Bwah!!! Poor whittle obsessed person who lives for Clay google alerts.
Sherrie
In Clay’s own words, you can hear him lying for over 5 years. He did not want anyone to think he was Gay. Why was he ashamed of it. Part of this is the words and part of it is video of Clay saying these things in TV Interviews. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MesqA2MZF3E&feature=related
scott
@Sherrie:
It may surprise you but some people aren’t ready to come out, even when other people are pushing you to. For whatever reason. And honestly, as Clay said, it’s none of you business, why he didn’t come out.
I can theorize why, tho. Even tho being homosexual is more accepted nowadays and kids are out when they are 12, 13. There are still people who don’t feel comfortable. There are MANY coming out stories and it’s not easy for a lot of people.
If you feel betrayed, and it sounds like you do… I get it. But, you have to walk in someone’s shoes to really understand. So, what’s the point of asking him about lying. How did it hurt you? It’s not like the WMAs, which is much more significant and people still voted Bush back in. It’s about him being gay. Something personal.
Sherrie
I was through being a fan of Clay’s in 2005 and it had nothing to do with whether he was Gay or not. I did not like his lying about EVERYTHING ELSE. I did not like his goofy personality or his ugly looks. His voice is much worse now. He sings high like a girl. I liked his first album but everything went downhill after that when he started giving interviews and being on TV. He acted like a jerk and it had nothing to do with any Gay questions. I work with lots of very nice extremely intelligent Gay people. They are regular people and them being Gay never comes up.
scott
@Sherrie: Oh, ok. Because the youtube clip is all about him being gay and you asked why is he ashamed of it (it, I presume means being gay).
If you have a problem with him lying about everything else, than you should post another clip about those things. And no offense but you seem very bitter and come off as someone who has been betrayed. Like a jilted lover. And I can totally see how if you were an adoring Claymate, and he did something to make you feel otherwise, you might feel that way.
As I said before I was a fan of his from AI. And thought his 1st album was decent (notice, not great). But really thought the following albums were boring. I just have a problem with people attacking Clay on him being gay or having to do with his coming out or other illogical arguments about Clay. Plus Queerty had said it didn’t want to see him in the “media” and yet continues to plug him. Which I find hypocritical.
Sherrie
I have never seen Clay in person. I never cared to go to any of his concerts. I always hated how stupid the Claymates act about him. I am not bitter or betrayed by him. I am happily married to someone much better looking and a better person than Clay. I felt the right person won AI. Ruben was a much better singer than Clay. I was only a fan of Clay’s because I felt sorry for him and I liked the first album. I have always loved other singers of lots of different genres, than Clays, much more than I ever liked Clay. I always listen to other singers and watch lots of youtube videos of other singers. I buy lots of albums cds of other singers and ITUNES videos and songs of other singers. It has been a few years since I ever listened to Clay’s music at all. I did not buy the People Magazine where he came out. I read some of it while standing in line at the store. My opinion while reading it was he is still a lying jerk.
Cam
Scott, why he did or did not come out is irrelevent to me, the fact of the matter is the gay community has no reason to support somebody simply because they are gay. If they do something brave, or move to help the community or are just fun then sure we tend to support them, but Clay finally coming out of the closet after his career is drooping and he’s been dumped by his record lable in no way should get him the gay community support you seem to think he so richly deserves. Just because you are a huge fan doesn’t mean that people who dissagree with you are insane, idiots, or wrong. So be happy with your own like of Clay but stop treating the gay communities non-embrace of him as a flaw on our part. He had the chance to be as brave as the typical gay person who comes out at work, he didn’t. Fine for him. I would have supported him and made an effort to buy his products if he had done that..he didn’t so I have no reason to go out of my way.
Patti
@susan:Yes, CLAY has said nasty things How about those comments made about a more successful and talented Idol Adam Lambert? By the way, at least Adam isn’t ashamed of being gay, never tried to hide it, even his female fan base continues to grow KNOWING he is gay and supporting his right to be who he truly is. Clay was a Liar from the get-go.