Clay Aiken Comes Out – The Followup

By On 09/24/2008 · 38 Comments · In Uncategorized

Lot’s of followup on   yesterday’s shocking (uhm…not) news of Clay Aiken’s coming out.

People posted an excerpt from the magazine story this morning. In the excerpt, Clay describes coming out to his mother, Faye Parker, 4 years ago.   He hopes his fans know that he never intended to lie, and that if they leave the fandom, “I don’t want them to leave hating me.”   Clay tells People, “It was the first decision I made as a father… I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn’t raised that way, and I’m not going to raise a child to do that.”

After the jump: Clay thanks his fanbase.   Simon Cowell weighs in. So do some Gay organizations. Micheal Slezak writes a heartfelt essay, Jim Cantielo recounts an embarrassing moment.   And me. I post my opinion.   Please post yours in comments.

More after the JUMP…

Simon Cowell weighs in:

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

Cowell, 48, says he doesn’t think Aiken’s sexual orientation will matter to the performer’s rabid fan base. “I don’t think anyone cares,” Cowell said. “Let’s face it. It’s 2008. You know. Who cares?”

Cowell couldn’t resist showing his sarcastic side to the TV program when he feigned surprise at the news that Aiken, 29, came out of the closet: “Wow. That’s a shock,” he said. “It’s like being told Santa Claus isn’t real. Unbelievable.”

Clay responded to his fans on his official forum last night.

“We’ll ‘talk’ more later,” Aiken, 29, writes on his Web site‘s message board. “but, suffice it to say, for the first time in recent memory, I am speechless. I’m so proud to know and love all of you.”

He adds, “My family is so much larger than Parker, Jaymes, mom, Brett, etc. It extends to each of you. And I couldn’t be more blessed.”

Gay groups respond:

“We congratulate Clay for making this decision and for setting an example for others and his family,” Neil Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said Tuesday morning. “As we’re seeing, more and more gay people, including celebrities, are living openly and honestly, and this has tremendous impact in terms of creating awareness, understanding and acceptance.”

Jennifer Chrisler, the executive director of the Family Equality Council, also chimed in: “Much like Rosie O’Donnell, the announcement that Clay Aiken is gay reinforces a simple reality: the American public can no longer say it does not know a gay or lesbian parent.

Michael Slezak of Entertainment Weekly congratulates Clay:

And yet I also recognize that as a milestone in the life of Mr. Aiken — and perhaps in the lives of the thousands and thousands of folks across this nation who, for whatever reason, have two very small, very significant words (“I’m gay”) caught somewhere in their throats, or further down in the knots of their stomachs — the People cover is, in fact, a big deal. Of course, in the coming days and weeks, we’ll hear folks yell things like, “keep it to yourself, Clay, we don’t want to hear about your private life!” Yet I suspect such vitriol will come from the same folks who have never once railed against Elisabeth Hasselbeck or Kathy Lee Gifford or Kelly Ripa for yapping incessantly about their husbands and kids — their private lives! — on daytime talk shows.

And Jim Cantiello of MTV recounts a very uncomfortable interview he conducted with   Clay two years ago.

My interview with Clay was about as difficult as one would expect. He was thrilled to talk about his upcoming cover album (a poetically appropriate term à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  cover album à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  given the circumstances), but as soon as the topic turned to his personal life, things became more awkward than a Paula Abdul QVC appearance. And the awkwardness was thanks to me, mostly.I present to you the full, uncut Q&A with Clay in all its cringe-inducing glory. Seriously. Trying to get Clay to come out of the closet on camera was one of the lowest points in my career. What was I thinking?!

Of course Clay is gay. Duh. Does anybody care? I sure don’t. Coming out is a big step, but I think Clay will find life initially a little harder, and then a hell of a lot easier.   The truth sets people free.   In the long run I truly believe coming out will help his career.

Not helping his career?   Those fans who went apesh*t every time a poster, blogger or journalist dared suggest that Clay could be *gasp* gay.   You’d think he was being accused of eating a puppy or axe-murdering a family the way some fans carried on.   That general hysteria might have kept him in the closet a little longer. I’m just sayin’.

Well, y’all can calm the eff down now.   The boy is out and kudos to him for finally finding the courage to let his freak flag fly. And I mean that in a good way. Congratulations Clay. On everything.

 
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  • Duke

    Simon: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Wow. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a shock,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  he said. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s like being told Santa Claus isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t real. Unbelievable.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    haha
    omg
    I’m rolling at imagining Simon saying that. LoL. Only Simon Cowell could get away with that.

    And its not like anyone is going to say, “I think it’s wrong” because like Simon said, it is 2008 and they would face a ton of neg press.

  • beesims

    Well, yà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢all can calm the eff down now. The boy is out and kudos to him for finally finding the courage to let his freak flag fly. And I mean that in a good way. Congratulations Clay. On everything.

    Couldn’t have said it better myself. Brilliant post, MJ.

    There are those who will continue to ridicule him for taking so long to come out, but given his upbringing and religious beliefs,it doesn’t surprise me that this admission is so long overdue. Until you walk in a man’s shoes…

  • dreamr

    Personally, I couldn’t really care one way or the other. I’m with Simon. Hearing Clay is gay isn’t exactly “shocking.” I mean, who didn’t expect this or at least feel like it might be the case? lol

    But good for Clay for being honest. And he seems to be starting off his fatherhood on the right foot.

  • cruzceleste

    I think that Clay being gay isn ´t a surprise, but is shock that he came out…As Slezak said if a very difficult thing to do, mostly because some people still very hatefull towards gays…

    I don ´t think it will affect his carear, they are some people that have used sexual orientation as a way to promote themself, Mika and Tatu are two of them…. and a good song will continue to be good no matter who the person that sing it is dating, Rocket Man and Yellow Brick Road are still great songs by Elton Jhon…

    I hope and wish the best for him and his family…

  • abbysee

    I love Simon. The biggest wtf is how could Clay think that is wasn’t obvious. I mean it’s like my 10 year old thinking if he were quiet enough I would realize he was up past his bedtime. I mean talk about the elephant in the living room. It did more harm than good, especially knowing some of his fans were extremely homophobic and defending his straightness as though it were the most important thing about him. Of course he gets a pass, but I am just tired of this being an issue, period. Yawn. He’s gay, I’m a female, and all’s right in the world. Onto more important topics. Maybe he will do DWTS next season?

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    I’m happy for him that he had the courage to come out. No shocker, of course. It was obvious for a long time, but increasingly so of late. I mean, what straight guy would start a family by impregnating a woman with a turkey baster? Sperm donor, sure. Family, not so much.

    The cynical side of me wants to know how much People paid for the story. Ahem.

    Good luck, Clay. Your baby is presh.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Wow. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a shock,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  he said. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s like being told Santa Claus isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t real. Unbelievable.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    Leave it to Simon Cowell. Seriously.

    I remember hearing his response on one of those entertainment shows when Season 1′s Jim Verraros came out. They ran into each other at an event. Jim told Simon he came out after the show. Simon says, “No. You came out on the show.”

    I hated to see the media “witch hunt”, but seriously, the closet door was open. Everyone was waiting for him to step out. I wish I could say I was surprised….

  • cruzceleste

    From Idol Chatter:

    News sometimes reaches me a little more slowly than those of you living eastward of me, but I’m now semi-up-to-date on Clay’s admission to People that he’s gay. My instant reaction? Good for him for clearing up the questions, likely at the best possible time, and were any of you really surprised?

  • http://mjsbigblog.com lucyfan

    Onto more important topics. Maybe he will do DWTS next season?

    LOL, abbysee. One can only hope…… ;)

  • Kirsten

    Somebody very close to me came out and everybody’s reaction was kind of like this (“Um, yeah, we kind of thought so”). Nevertheless, he said it was one of the hardest things (and best things) he’s ever done. So, I don’t think that just because a lot of people thought Clay was gay meant that it was necessarily an easy decision for him to make.

    I don’t think it will end up costing Clay’s career much, because I suspect most homophobes were already not fans because they thought he was one too (and personally, I think good riddance! It’s not worth having fans like that)

    I, like Slezak, hope that this one day isn’t a topic worthy of a cover of a magazine. It’s like when Sally Ride was asked when she thought would be a sign that woman had gained equality and she said something to the effect that when it wasn’t news that the first woman did something (she was the first female American astronaut). The only reason to care about somebody else’s sexual preferences is when one is in a relationship with them. Otherwise, who cares? Consenting adults and all that.

    Good for Clay. His kid looks cute. Hopefully, he finds himself a nice guy. (I’m a hopeless romantic)

  • JOJOSIE

    I got out Measure of a Man today and put it in my car stereo. It brought back memories of why I voted for Clay. I figured he was gay from day one but liked his voice and how his face lite up when he sang.

  • ShariG

    I would certainly hope that fans of Clay Aiken will continue to be fans of Clay Aiken. Sexual orientation has very little to do with talent. I was personally a fan of Ruben Studdard in season two, but have a great deal of respect for Clay Aiken as a singer. He never looked particularly masculine to me, but it didn’t matter and still doesn’t.

  • catdog

    I belong to a couple of Clay fan boards and I would say 99% of the fans are just fine with his announcement and will continue to follow his career – we all love him and respect his decision. He is a great singer, entertainer – his sexuality has nothing to do with his talent.

    And don’t believe some of the blogs out there that the Claynation is falling apart. It’s just the opposite. Now that this issue has been addressed, maybe now the haters will find something else to talk about.

  • gelfling

    catdog Sep 24th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    I belong to a couple of Clay fan boards and I would say 99% of the fans are just fine with his announcement and will continue to follow his career – we all love him and respect his decision. He is a great singer, entertainer – his sexuality has nothing to do with his talent.

    Amen!

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    There have been many Clay fans who have “defended” his sexuality and called peeps out for thinking he was gay (omg… believing lies!!11). I didn’t watch his season and don’t care about his sexuality. He’s talented for sure.

    What’s disturbing (to me) is that people thought they had to defend him against the gay rumors. Like there’s something wrong with it.

    Wasn’t there someone not too long ago saying that they were friends with his mom and she said he wasn’t gay? Some are upset and will leave his fanbase. Sad. I won’t give a percentage like 99%. There’s no way to measure that.

    I still want to know how much People paid for the scoop.

  • gelfling

    Sorry, MJ, I put this in the wrong thread before.

    David Foster on Clay Aiken’s Family Life

    Clay Aiken revealed only this week that he is gay, and now his baby son’s uncle, music producer David Foster, is revealing new details about family life at home.

    David’s sister Jaymes gave birth to Clay’s son, Parker, in August. “They’ve found a way to make it work for the three of them,” he tells ET Canada in a new interview. “It’s the perfect, perfect situation — they’re going to co-parent and they’re best friends.”

    David was there from the beginning of his nephew’s life: “I was there for the birth,” he tells ET Canada. “My sister just roared through the delivery, no [whining], like, boom, let’s have this kid. And she did, and the baby is beautiful, and all is good.”

    http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/09/65940/index.html

  • dance2thebeat

    I’m so proud of Clay for taking this step. He needed to do it in his own time. Of course it was obvious, but not our business until he wanted to talk about it.

  • Kirsten

    Whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s disturbing (to me) is that people thought they had to defend him against the gay rumors. Like thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s something wrong with it.

    Certainly, many of the defenders were over the top (and some were homophobes themselves), but some of it may have been because some people who repeat the gay rumours act like there is something wrong with it. Hell, I’ve been beaten up for being associated with the “gay kid” (imagine how much worse it was for him). Sadly, there are lots of demented people out there.

    I still want to know how much People paid for the scoop.

    What difference does it make? How do you know he got paid? Did I miss something? Isn’t it possible he just wanted to get it over with and leap out of the closet? I don’t know.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s disturbing (to me) is that people thought they had to defend him against the gay rumors. Like thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s something wrong with it.

    Exactly. Ugh. I can think of way worse things to be called than gay. It’s NOT a bad thing.

    Wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t there someone not too long ago saying that they were friends with his mom and she said he wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t gay? Some are upset and will leave his fanbase. Sad. I wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t give a percentage like 99%. Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s no way to measure that.

    Out of curiosity, I’ve been lurking around on a few Clayboards. Many of his fans are supportive. I wouldn’t put the percentage as high as 99%, however. At least not at this point. There still seems to be some hurt feelings out there. “Clay lied to us,” they say. And there are conservative Christians who feel they can’t support him any more. Peeps may come around in the long run. Or not.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    I’m from the South. You don’t get much more judgmental than that. I have had gay friends come out to me and only me. I know how hard it might have been for Clay. I’m really happy he made this decision.

    What difference does it make? How do you know he got paid? Did I miss something? Isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t it possible he just wanted to get it over with and leap out of the closet? I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know.

    I can’t prove that he got paid, but it’s standard practice in the biz. Just like baby pics. He could have announced on his blog or something and there would have been no question about payment.

    People Mag regularly pays for scoops, so it’s not out of the question that they paid for this one.

    ETA: MJ good to know that many fans are still supporting Clay. I went to VFTW to see if they picked Cloris (they did!) and saw that they had posted on the main page some stuff from upset Clay fans.

  • flowerchild16

    The only shock that I got out of this article was that Simon Cowell IS 48??? SERIOUSLY!??

    I love Clay, I think he is a talented man and he has done the best thing for himself and his son. Props Clay.

  • Kirsten

    The only shock that I got out of this article was that Simon Cowell IS 48??? SERIOUSLY!??

    48? I thought he was in his 50s. His haircut is.

  • Kirsten

    I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t prove that he got paid, but ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s standard practice in the biz. Just like baby pics. He could have announced on his blog or something and there would have been no question about payment.

    LOL. I just went over to MSNBC. Apparently, they paid for Parker’s baby pics:

    Exclusive photos of Clay and his son Parker went for an underwhelming amount compared to the multimillion-dollar price tag that accompanies a Jennifer Lopez or Jolie-Pitt agreement. Aikenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s deal cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $500,000 according to several sources privy to the negotiations (a rep for People said à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“We donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t comment on the specifics of any dealsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ).

    The low dollar amount wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t necessarily due to waning interest in Aiken à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  one editor admitted that his magazine had been trying to get the singer to do a tell-all for a substantial sum long before the baby was in the picture. Instead, People, had little competition for the photos, and in turn, no one to drive the price up.

    Huh. I didn’t know they did that. I guess I shouldn’t expect journalistic integrity from a pop culture magazine. I’m not sure if they paid for the “story” or just the pics. I’m not sure where I stand on selling baby pics. I suppose it’s either that or have the papparazi hound you. It’s kind of weird, though. Sounds like there are other celebrities that do that too. I live in a box.

    MSNBC

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Huh. I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know they did that. I guess I shouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t expect journalistic integrity from a pop culture magazine. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not sure if they paid for the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“storyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  or just the pics. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not sure where I stand on selling baby pics. I suppose ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s either that or have the papparazi hound you. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s kind of weird, though. Sounds like there are other celebrities that do that too. I live in a box.

    There was an item somewhere about Katharine trying to sell her wedding pictures, but there were no takers. People eventually printed them. If People didn’t pay for them, Katharine probably at least got a lot of her wedding written off for the free publicity.

  • abbysee

    I’ve been lurking too. On one of the boards I was banned from a few years ago. They are pretty much in agreeance that it was best for him to come out.

    They are also like those people when accused of being racist say, I have a black, jewish, white, or asian friend, as if that is the defense. It’s not, those same folk genuflecting now, are the same ones who hounded those who simply said I think he is gay. And know they knew all the time, and all of a sudden have soooo many gay friends. Yeah, okay. Of course you knew. How could they not? Then why the pretense? Why the attacks?

  • davidlove

    If Clay wants honesty, he’ll have to be changing his lyrics on future song selections……

  • Kirsten

    If Clay wants honesty, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll have to be changing his lyrics on future song selectionsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

    Yes, we need complete honesty in music. From now on, I only expect Daughtry to sing about what it’s like to be married and have two kids. No more pretending he’s falling out of love or in love unless he’s dumping his wife. Taylor? Well, he better be singing about what it’s like to have a fake girlfriend and lose one’s recording contract. Elliott can sing about what it’s like to have dental work and Archie can only sing about what it’s like to have a domineering dad (since he hasn’t been having any dates yet, there better not be any songs implying he’s been on one). Oh, and I guess poor Cook can only sing from the perspective being a balding ex-bartender. I’m sure there is a big market for all those songs. Yep, one can only sing autobiographical songs that appeal to niche markets because singers and actors always have to be honest. There is no role playing there at all. Jordin had better be recalling that “No Air” song of hers because it has now become apparent that she never dated Chris Brown. I demand a refund!!!!!11!!ELEVENTY-ONE!!!! Even though I never bought one of her songs, my iPod feels sullied knowing that an artist would lie like that. Now I’m thinking that Bob Marley did not, in fact, shoot the sherrif and that the lead singer of Coldplay isn’t a former ruler of the world who is now sweeping the streets. I bet that Kid Rock never even had a girlfriend in 1989. Who would date somebody who looked like him? He probably even had short hair back then (I know the internet existed back in ’89 so he lied about that…what a fraud!). I’m going to go buy all those songs so I can sue for their misrepresentation too!.

    I hate to ask, but does this mean that John Lennon wasn’t a walrus? I always thought it was a little odd that a sea mammal better known for grunting and growling could sing that well. Yoko better be ready to pay up!

  • vagabond

    Oh my Kirsten I almost spit coffee on my keyboard when I read your post. Too funny!!! LOL

    As for Clay I had to laugh yesterday at work when I received a bunch of emails and phone calls asking me if I’d heard – they all know I’m a Clay fan as I’ve shown them photos from concerts, etc. Very amusing – people sure do like to talk about it. I post, rarely, in one of the fan forums and like everyone here has said most people are accepting. There are some that are not happy but that is gonna happen with an announcement like this!

    Well for me it’s about the music, and the entertainer. He’s still Clay – and hopefully a happier person, and more at peace. Good for him.

  • dante

    LOL Kirsten! Brilliant I might add.

    Good for Clay! I wish him happiness with his new son and may he find true love.

  • abbysee

    Now Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m thinking that Bob Marley did not, in fact, shoot the sherrif and that the lead singer of Coldplay isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t a former ruler of the world who is now sweeping the streets. I bet that Kid Rock never even had a girlfriend in 1989. Who would date somebody who looked like him?

    You need to get paid for this…..Roflmao!

  • gingerly

    OMG thanks Kirsten…you made my morning!

  • jersey

    Kirsten love. LOL.

  • http://mjsbigblog.com lucyfan

    Kirsten – OMG. Funniest thing I’ve read in a long time. Thanks for making me smile.

  • BootStar

    I didn’t watch AI-2 and don’t really follow Clay’s career, but when I saw that headline, it was like there was a big announcement that George W. Bush was a . . . Republican.

    Seriously, I had no idea Clay was still IN the closet. THAT was the shock to me.

    God bless him. Nothing worth than living a lie, and lying to yourself, because of the burden of meeting somebody else’s theological demands.

  • Zeppelin

    Kristen, your post :lol_tb:

    Seriously, I had no idea Clay was still IN the closet. THAT was the shock to me.

    I honestly had no idea either.

  • ptslittlecomment

    Kristen – kudos on your post. Well Done indeed :clap_tb:

    For some reason all of this hubbub makes me think of Barry Manilow. Hmm, I wonder if he ever had a Man dy?

  • ptslittlecomment

    Sorry, that was a joke. I tried to edit but couldn’t.

  • workdog

    This is only my second comment, having finally taken the plunge after reading y’all for quite a while. Had to join and give Kristen a big high five on your post.

    Love it! So true, so true. If all songs were strictly enforced as autobiographical some of the hip hop flow would have some damned interesting fallout, don’t ya think?

    Anyway, thought I’d weigh in.

    And Clay is a good man. Respect him highly…took guts but was handled with respect and dignity. Nicely done.