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"American Idol" runner up Clay Aiken is "actively" considering seeking a congressional seat...to represent North Carolina's second district.....

@ClayAiken Playing drinking game with my brother now. We drink every time we see a black person on screen at the RNC convention. #soberasamormon

Guys, I know this is going to come as a bit of a shocker, so I hope you're sitting down before you continue reading. But (deep breath, now)...Clay Aiken has confirmed, in an interview featured on the cover of the upcoming issue of People magazine and first leaked on Perez Hilton's site, that he is indeed (wait for it), homosexual.

Clay Aiken has come out. The “American Idol” star and new dad finally revealed his sexuality in the new issue of People, which features a portrait of Aiken and his son, Parker Foster Aiken, on the cover with the words, “Yes, I’m Gay.” Although the new issue has yet to be released, when contacted by Access Hollywood, a rep for People confirmed the cover (which was leaked Tuesday on PerezHilton.com) is for their new issue. His son, born August 8 to friend Jaymes Foster, seems to be the reason for his admission. “I cannot raise a child to lie or...

It's official. Clay Aiken has come out of the closet.

TMZ has learned Clay Aiken is going to be a daddy. In case you didn't process that, Clay Aiken is going to be a daddy. Here's what we know. Multiple sources tell us the mother is Jaymes Foster, a record producer and Clay's best friend. He lives at her home when he's in L.A. We're told 50-year-old Foster, who produced several Aiken CDs, is due in August. She's the sister of record mogul David Foster. She divorced a few years back and has no kids. Aiken is 29.

NEW YORK Kelly Ripa's definitely not a Claymate. The talk show host went off on Aiken this morning on "Live With Regis and Kelly," saying "I don't think he was respectful in any way." She says Aiken was hostile toward her when they shared co-hosting duties on Friday's show. She especially took issue with Aiken putting his hands over her mouth during an interview. She says you don't do that, even if it's for a laugh. Regis Philbin says he's shocked the pair didn't hit it off, saying, "In my wildest dreams would I ever think that one day you...

WASHINGTON -- Raleigh native Clay Aiken has been appointed to serve on the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. President George W. Bush named 12 people to the panel. Aiken, a pop singer and former "American Idol" contestant, is also well known for his work on behalf of people with autism. He launched the Bubel Aiken Foundation, which focuses on helping children with disabilities.

Clay Aiken and ClayNation Undergo New Round of Attacks by James Shepherd (2006/01/28) -------------------------------------------------------- There is nothing like a National Enquirer article to start a new tempest within the ClayNation. This is not the first time that the Enquirer has "picked on" Clay Aiken, but then, the Enquirer and other tabloids like to center on true celebrities because this is what gains them higher readership. Since Clay Aiken is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting and successful recording artists to have come out of American Idol, you really can not blame the Enquirer for doing its job well....

Thank you, Clay Aiken for singing the clean, sweet spirit of Christmas. I never watched “American Idol” even when friends who knew I loved music would tell me, “You gotta hear this guy.” I couldn’t have cared less. I tuned out of popular music years ago. The entire genre had become too degraded. Clay Aiken may change all that for me, but back to Christmas. Aiken’s CD “Merry Christmas with Love” is the music your entire family can enjoy. You won’t find an over-the-top, joking or corny song in the entire batch. This is the real deal. His medley of...

Clay Aiken glided into the Theater at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night to give voice to a Christmas wish that we can all relate to: a world without flash photography. "Gimme a camera and I'll flash it at you," Mr. Aiken purred, smiling wide so no one could mistake his offer for a petulant threat. This was a night when theater ushers, too often hidden behind a drab facade of jacketed professionalism, got a chance to perform backup vocals for the guy onstage. As Mr. Aiken crooned "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," the ushers contributed a gruff basso...

ABC television, which has hosted the annual beauty pageant telecast from Atlantic City, New Jersey, since 1997, has decided not to renew its option to carry the show in 2005, a network spokesman said. No further details were immediately available, including whether another television network would pick up the event.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Clay Aiken, the North Carolina native who warbled his way to the runner-up spot on "American Idol," heads the list of the "Ten Best-Mannered People of 2003" as named by the National League of Junior Cotillions. The league, based in Charlotte, is an etiquette and social training program for young people in the United States. The list released Tuesday was its 12th annual. The league said it chose Aiken "for his example of humility and politeness." Talk show host Oprah Winfrey (news) came in second "for the warmth and kindness she extends her guests." Gen. Tommy Franks,...

We're guessing even Simon is speechless right about now. Five months after finishing runner up to Ruben Studdard on American Idol by just 1 percent, Clay Aiken has shown himself the biggest Idol of all where it counts--on the charts. Making A.I. sales history, the nerdy North Carolinian's Measure of a Man sold a whopping 613,000 copies last week, according to SoundScan numbers released Wednesday. No other Idol has sold even half that amount in a week. Last April, inaugural champ Kelly Clarkson (news) sold 297,000 of her debut disc, Thankful, to top the charts and Aiken spoiler Studdard sold...

And then there were nine. The hot-ticket American Idol tour will be minus little-bit country, little-bit pop singer Joshua Gracin, it was announced Friday. Gracin was pulled from the lineup by his Uncle Sam, a harsh taskmaster also known as the U.S. Marines. The 22-year-old, a lance corporal with the 1st Force Service Support Group, was "unable to complete his required training in the allotted time," Major Curtis L. Hill said a statement. When the Idol tour was announced in May, word was the Marines had signed off on allowing its poster boy to return to active singing duty. "We...

Aiken, Studdard Storm Billboard Chart The top two "American Idol" contestants capture the top two spots on Billboard's Hot 100, as Clay Aiken's "This Is the Night" (RCA) debuts at No. 1 and Ruben Studdard's "Flying Without Wings" (J Records) opens at No. 2. It's the first time in the 45-year history of the Hot 100 that the top two positions are new entries. Aiken's "This Is the Night" is the first song to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 since 1998, and the first since chart rules were changed to allow airplay-only tracks to appear on the...

<p>Clay Aiken(l) was still smiling after Ruben Studdard was named the "Idol" winner.</p> <p>'AMERICAN IDOL 2" runner-up Clay Aiken already knew he had lost to Ruben Studdard at least five minutes before the decision was announced, show judge Simon Cowell said yesterday.</p>

Every 20 years he makes it big!

The thread for live comments during tonight's show!

Tonight I thought Kimberly was great, Clay was masterful as always considering he pulled a difficult song to sing, and Ruben was all right. Also however Unchained Melody was arranged, it sounded sped up (excuse my grammar) so I thought Clay worked well with that. And how fun was Mack the Knife! What did everyone else think? MOderator, sorry if I post this in the wrong place.