Annie's Blog Central

UNICEF Ambassador, Clay Aiken's Visit to Samalia

2008-07-03T20:18:00.002-05:00

UNICEF Ambassador, Clay Aiken, says organization is making a difference in Somalia despite difficult circumstances
American entertainer visits north-west Somalia and urges the world to remember Somali children

Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday 1 July 2008 – A five-day visit to north-west Somalia (the self-declared republic of ‘Somaliland’) has UNICEF Ambassador, Clay Aiken, moved by the work that UNICEF is doing under challenging circumstances. ‘In a country that’s better known for conflict, insecurity, drought and floods, it’s truly remarkable that UNICEF is still able to make a difference to the health, education and well-being of Somali children’ said Aiken.

The ambassador traveled to Hargeisa, Gabiley and Boroma to see first-hand, UNICEF-supported projects to promote child health, safe water, sanitation and hygiene, primary education, child protection and girls’ empowerment.

Somalia is a country in which less than 25% of the population has access to basic health services, less than 30% attend primary school and only 29% have access to a safe water source. It's also a place where 98% of girls are circumcised and has amongst the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.

Playing basketball with girls in the enclosed facility of the Somaliland Cultural and Sports Association (SOCSA), Aiken saw the opportunity given to females by the UNICEF-supported organization. ‘Here, girls are able to learn about leadership and health, acquire life-skills and play sports within a safe environment. Even the youngest girls that I’ve met at SOCSA, impressed me with how confident and articulate they are as a result of this project.’

At a camp for 1500 internally displaced families in Hargeisa, Aiken met 11 year old Abduraman, who helps to support his five siblings and blind mother by working each morning to collect stones. He uses his earnings to pay for school which he attends in the afternoon. ‘Somalia has some of the lowest enrollment rates in the world, but every child has the right to an education. UNICEF is working to help ensure that even working children get to go to school.’ UNICEF has also provided the camp with child protection monitors, teacher-training and school materials.

In Boroma, Aiken saw how the town’s water system is functioning thanks to UNICEF support. Under a public/private partnership, the system provides clean water to 95% of the town’s population including schools and hospitals. Aiken also visited maternal and child health clinics to see nutritional feeding and immunization activities along with projects supporting children with disabilities, the eradication of female genital mutilation/cutting and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

‘Now that I have seen Somalia for myself, I feel it is important for the American public to remember that the Somali people have the same dreams for their children that we do. Somali families still want the best for their children and people really want to help bring about change. Though the situation in Somaliland is less dangerous for children than in the south, the country is one of the most desperate in the world. The country has been without a functioning government for almost twenty years. Fortunately, UNICEF has always been there and continues to provide the support needed to make a difference. No other organization is more capable of making such a difference than UNICEF."

About UNICEF

UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

For further information, please contact:

Denise Shepherd-Johnson, Chief, Communication, UNICEF Somalia, Tel: +254 20 762-3958; Mob: +254 722 919 867; E-mail: dshepherdjohnson@unicef.org

Marissa Buckanoff, Director, Public Relations, United States Fund for UNICEF, Tel: +1 212 922 2485; E-mail:MBuckanoff@unicefusa.org

Alyse's Corner

2008-06-07T23:52:00.006-05:00

Hi Everyone...Here are a few wallpapers, that were created by my dear friend Alice, better known by her Myspace friends as Aylse. She is a very talented lady...she makes it look so easy...but like she says, "When you have a subject like Clay, you can't go wrong!" Please Enjoy!!!

Do You Believe or Not?

2008-06-06T13:00:00.000-05:00

The first time I heard about the "Clay Aiken Baby" news, I saw it on Extra at 1:00 a.m. My mouth fell open and nothing but, OMGosh came out. Did I believe it at the time? NO! Do I believe it now? No! Will I support Clay if in fact it's true? Yes!

What has Clay given me over the past 3 years? (keep in mind, I was a late bloomer when it came to Clay). Lots of love, & happinest everytime I heard that angelic voice, saw that adorable smile & heard that contageous laugh. So why should I not support him during this time?

Since this news came out, I went back and listened to my CDs of, "Learning to Sing", and again, it brought me to tears. No child deserves the pain he went through. I've always thought that his life was so much like my 7 year old grandson's life. He had a father like Vern, whom my daughter left when my grandson was around 3 1/2 years old. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, (Clay that is), he rose above it all and became the loving, caring person he is today. I only pray my little boy can do the same.

As of two days ago, I've stopped reading the boards. I have not once gone to the fan boards because that would only depress me. How can you love someone for so many years, and then read all this crap then turn your back on them...when you don't even know if the crap you read was true of false?

Clay is intitled to live his life as he pleases. In my opinon...as is his true fans...I honestly don't see Clay making such a decision. I see Clay finding the right girl, falling in love, getting married and then starting his family. If, however, he decided to do something like this for a friend...then so be it. If he thought about this decision carefully and still felt good about it, then I can and will respect him for it. I may not agree, but I will support him.

I feel that we, (as fans), tend to put celebrities very high on pedestals. What we fail to remember is that they are just as human as we are, and can any of the fans who have turned on Clay stand there before us and our God and say they are perfect in every way? NO! I can't even say that about myself. Clay eats like us, dresses himself like us, he even uses the bathroom like us. So why do we get so upset if he makes a wrong decision, or does something we don't approve of. What business is it of anyone out there to judge him for the things he does....and what terrible things has he ever done in his life. If he changes his hair color, we judge. If he puts on a little weight, we judge. STOP JUDGING, and enjoy all that Clay has given to us. Beautiful music and a God given gift, his voice. A warm and genuine personality. The ablitiy to laugh at ourselves. Wonderful concerts, and the one thing we have all forgotten is that because of this one man, we as Claymates have become great friends. I truly treasure all the friends I have made on Myspace, and at concerts.

When Clay feels the time is right to go public and address this issue, he will do it openly and honestly because that is the kind of person he is. Not that he OWES us that, but because he loves us and because HE wants us to know the truth. Then and only then will I believe this rumor to be true.

Please feel free to comment on this blog. I'm very interested to know how other fans truly feel and why!

My Clay Dream!

2008-04-23T10:15:00.000-05:00

I've had only one Clay Dream, which was a long time ago....but last night I had another one. In this dream he was so sweet, even though I was a complete idiot! I had to hurry up and tell ya'll while it was fresh in my mind.

In my dream, my mother and I, (woman has been dead for like eleven years now), went to NY to see Clay in Spamalot. After the show, I wanted to hurry up and get to the stage door to get Clay's autograph, but my mom couldn't move that fast...so we sort of lagged behind in the theater. I'm waiting for her to catch her breath so we can leave, (she had asthma and did everything slow), and I look up and there is Clay walking back into the theater with Jerome. Clay and Jerome walk over to see if everything is alright.

I couldn't resist and I tell Clay how much we enjoyed the show. He leans over and gives me a BIG hug. He looks like he has something on his mind, a little sad. I asked him, "Clay, is everything alright? You look upset."

He says, "I just found out that a little boy died during the show."

I felt so bad for him, so I said, "Oh Clay, I'm so sorry. Is the little boy alright?"

Clay looks up at me completely confused, takes my hand and says, "Darling, the little boy died."

I'm extremely embarrassed, and feeling really stupid. My face turns beet red. I thinking to myself....YOU IDIOT, WHAT A DUMB THING TO SAY. Of course we all know that meeting Clay, can cause temporary brain damage, so I look at Clay and say, "I'm so sorry, I guess I had a moment."

Clay takes my hand and smiles at me. Then he gives me another BIG hug and whispers in my ear, "That's alright darling, I have those moment too." Then he takes my Playbill and my mother's Playbill and signs them. Give us a wink and leaves. I totally melt in my seat and it takes us another thirty minutes to leave. LOL

Now let me explain what a moment is. My daughter Sara, my middle child, sometimes or should I say most of the time, will say something before thinking. Either the statement makes no sense or she says the words wrong. We call it a "Sara Moment". So whenever any of us do that, someone shouts out, "Sara Moment."

Strange dream...but wasn't he sweet about my stupidity?

I Have to Share These!

2008-04-09T15:01:00.000-05:00

I'm actually speechless! All I can say is: WOW! When I saw these my heart stopped twice. Then when it started again, it wouldn't stop fluttering! I think I may need to borrow my hubby's heart meds! Just sit back...enjoy...and let me know what you think!

Coming attractions: Achin' for some new Aiken? It's on the way

2008-04-03T21:18:00.000-05:00

Aiken is well on his way to new CD

"I would like to have signature songs," Clay Aiken says, "songs that are identifiable as mine as opposed to 'Clay Aiken sings such-and-such.' " That's why the American Idol Season 2 runner-up conducted an intensive search for songs he could connect with.

"I went through a bunch of songs and found On My Way Here by (OneRepublic's) Ryan Tedder, and it hit me in the gut," he says. "It became the catalyst for the whole album to be lyrically connected — most of the songs relate to lessons I've learned."

On My Way Here became both the title track and lead single for Aiken's album, due May 6 on RCA. The album, produced by Kipper, is Aiken's first collection of new material since his debut, 2003's Measure of a Man, which has sold nearly 3 million copies.

Aiken co-wrote one song on the new album, Lover All Alone. Musically, he promises the new album has "a little bit of something for everyone, from symphonic-type ballads to upbeat, edgy stuff."

May 06, 2008 YIPPIE!

2008-03-24T00:03:00.000-05:00

Just a note to let everyone know, the wait is almost over! On May 06, 2008, all Claymates can expect to see Clay's new CD out in stores everywhere. YIPPIE! I've already pre-ordered mine at Amazon.com...but I know I'll be buying one at WalMart when it comes out. I'm so excited I don't know if I can wait till then. But I'll try!

2008-02-01T14:20:00.000-06:00

My Newest Montage!

My YouTube Creations of Clay Aiken

2008-02-01T13:50:00.000-06:00

A year ago, I made my very first Montage. I liked it so much, that I just kept making more. I do have a life other than my computer....but I've always liked expressing myself in art, and creating a Montage, to me, is art. Now when you have a subject like Clay Aiken....you can be very creative.

For those of you who have never viewed one of my creations, then I'm here to invite you to come and enjoy the way I express my love for Clay. I hope you like them and enjoy them as much as I've enjoyed making them. I'm posting my latest Montage.

http://youtube.com/user/claylicious78

Love out there to all my friends.....and especially to Clay Aiken, because without him there would be no Claymates or the ability to creat!

Clay Aiken in "SPAMALOT"!

2008-02-01T12:37:00.000-06:00

I understand, from my many friends who have been there and seen him, that his performance in Spamalot is FANTASTIC! I, on the other hand, probably won't have the pleasure of seeing this dynamic creature perform on Broadway. "How depressing!"

Now I shouldn't be too upset. I did get to see Clay for the first time this past summer. That was an unforgettable night for me. I also got to see Clay for Christmas. Hubby even came along and I think he really enjoyed the concert, but I'm still a little sad when I hear my friends talk about how cute he was up there playing Sir Robin....and his English accent....and his wonderful voice sounding so fabulous. I'm still hoping that my hubby will break down before May, and surprise me with tickets. At this point, I don't even care where the seat would be. Just to be there and see, listen, and enjoy my sweet Clay!

I have dropped so many hints....that I've ran out of ways to let him know how much I need to see this play. Any suggestions out there? Feel free to send them to me. I'm getting despriate here. So send them in, PLEASE! Anyway, I'm hanging in there....because my Mom always told me...."NEVER SAY NEVER"!

2007-12-06T11:20:00.000-06:00

T’WAS THE NITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS “CLAYMATE” STYLE!
By: annie

T’was the nite before Christmas and all through the place
Sixteen Claymates decorated their tree with ribbons and lace.
Hanging their stockings by the fire with care,
Wishing that Santa would soon be there.

By the fire they sat all giggly with delight
Making their lists and checking them twice.
To place in their stockings for Santa to see,
Hoping the one present they wanted would be under their tree.

Patti was dancing while Gay & Pat made cider.
Nancy was laughing with Anne & Gayle beside her.
Debbie & Arlene were cooking up some snacks,
While Annie & Stephanie hung cards with red tacks.

Cee Cee played “All Is Well” for all to enjoy,
Diane & Christine were jumping with joy.
Claudia & Evelyn wrapped presents all day,
While Jackie set up a game for them to later play.

When all of a sudden they heard noise on the roof,
They just knew it was Santa but they had no proof.
So they scattered all over to find a place to hide,
Then ran behind the sofa very tightly, side by side.

From the top of the sofa all sixteen peeked to see
Santa putting some presents under their tree.
They tried to be quiet and not make a sound,
So Santa wouldn’t know that they were around.

Their eyes opened wide as they heard Santa singing,
That voice was familiar, like Christmas bells ringing.
As the ladies looked closer, they were all quite taken.
Could it be, could it be? Omgosh, it’s Clay Aiken!!!

Their Christmas wish was answered it’s plain to see.
The one present they all wanted was Clay under their tree!
The Claymates would like to say to all with delight,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all one “HELL OF A GOOD NIGHT!!!”

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE LOUISIANA CLAYMATES!

I HOPE CLAY PICKS MINE!

2007-11-23T11:40:00.000-06:00

OK everyone. It's November 23rd, the day after Thanksgiving and I'm praying very hard to have something new I can be thankful for.

This coming Monday, November 26th, my hubby and I will be leaving for St. Louis to see my little HONEY sing his big, beautiful heart out. I can't wait to hear that golden voice belt out those Christmas tunes.....especially "All is Well". I'm sure many of you Clay Aiken fans know by now that Clay has a little contest going on for the Christmas Tour this year. He is asking his fans to write stories about a Christmas past that, for some reason, stands out in their memories. If their story is picked, by Clay himself, that person will be called up on the stage to read their story. I submitted three! LOL

I'm asking everyone to please keep their fingers crossed, their toes crossed and even their eyes crossed that Clay reads one of mine and picks me to come up on the stage, (stand next to him.....WOW), and read my story. CAN I DO IT??? Well I know I would be a bit nervous reading my story in front of ALL those people, but I'd just keep telling myself...."Annie, you can do this...You can do this...You CAN do this!" Actually, the one thing that will REALLY make me nervous is standing next to my little HONEY Clay. I may pass out cause he makes me weak in the knees. I may need him to lean on so that I won't fall down. HOW CLAYLICIOUS!

WISH ME LUCK!

ATTENTION ALL CLAY FANS:

2007-11-15T02:41:00.000-06:00

I'm posting the link to my website: "Made With Love by: Annie"

As you can see by the above photos, I make ladies purses & totes. My favorite one is dedicated to Clay, the "Claymate Tote". If you're interested in owning one, please contact me and I'll design one for you. If you see a purse you like, and the fabric is available, I'll be happy to make one and ship it directly to you.

Thanks,
annie

Christmas In The Heartland

2007-10-21T22:41:00.000-05:00

I can't believe where I'm going in November. I'm so excited, I could just scream! OK, let me back up just a little bit here. Let's back up to July 2007.

My hubby was so sweet when he told me I could go to Houston to see my very first Clay Aiken Concert. I had met a group of ladies, from Louisiana, who had been Clay Aiken fans since American Idol 2. They took me in and taught me everything I know today about Clay. Not to mention the hours online late at night surfing the internet and visiting every Clay Aiken site I could possibly visit.

Now these ladies were planning to go to some concerts this summer, 2007, and I wanted to go with them really bad. I came home one day, from our monthly luncheon, and flatly told my hubby I wanted to attend a Clay Aiken concert with my new friends. Surprisingly he said "YES"! Well, not too surpisingly. He's a very good hubby and if it makes me happy then he hasn't any problem with the requests I make. So, I told my friends to count me in.

July came around, I had my ticket, my hotel reservation, & my car, (which was getting me there with two other ladies). Now I'm not going to get into details about the concert...except to say, "It was the BEST ever", but when I got back I told my hubby about all the other hubbys I saw there in Houston. I went on to tell him that I would love for him and I to attend one of Clay's Christmas concerts and that he would get the opportunity to meet other wonderful hubbys who love their wives as much as he loves me. His reply was, "I wouldn't be caught dead at a Clay Aiken concert. What would my friends say?" After he had brought me to tears with that remark, I pulled out all the guns and laid the guilt trip on him by telling him I've been to concerts HE likes to go to because I know it means a lot to him and I want him to be happy. Then I told him I would NEVER ask him to attend another concert ever again.

So I find out that Clay is going to be on broadway in Spamalot. Some of my Louisiana friends are making plans to go. I go to lunch with my hubby just last week and I explain to him about the play and how much I would love to go. We start talking expenses and he tells me it would cost us close to $1,000 for me to make that trip to New York. I politely decline and tell him I understand. Then he says something that nearly blew me away. He tells me it would probably be cheaper to attend a concert. I ask him if he was talking about the two of us going and he says yes! Like I said, he nearly blew me away. I reminded him of the remark he had made back in July after the Houston concert and he says, "No, I'd go with you". I say, "What if your friends found out." His reply was, "I don't care!" I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

That night he had gone up to his office to get a little late night work done. I get online and start talking to some of my ClayFan friends. Most who I've never met before. I find out that one of them had gotten tickets that day for the St. Louis concert in November. I go to the OFC and find out that the pre-sale had started that morning. I go there and find out that there are some fairly good seats, on ground level, still available. I call him at the office and tell him my idea of going to the St. Louis concert and he say, "Get out the Discover Card and order them." So what do you think I did??? That's right! I ordered them. Hee Hee Hee! So my hubby and I are going to St. Louis for the November 27th, Clay Aiken Christmas Concert. YIPPIE!

Now if any of you lovely Clay Aiken fans read this blog, and you are going to the St. Louis concert....let me know. I would love to meet you. Just let me know where you'll be sitting and we can look for each other. I'm trying to get reservations at the Marriott Residence Inn. That is where most of the Claymates should be staying. Send me an email or leave me a comment and hopefully we will connect in St. Louis.

As for my hubby....I am bound and determined to make him a Clay Aiken fan yet! Once he's attended his first concert...I just know he will want to attend again.

IF YOU ARE A CLAY AIKEN FAN. . . .

2007-10-11T15:33:00.000-05:00

If you are a Clay Aiken fan, and you have a Myspace page dedicated to Clay. . .please come visit my Clay Aiken Myspace page so we can talk about our MAN!

Visit My URL: myspace.com/aikenheartfanclub

All fans of Clay are friends of mine!

Hugs & love,
annie

Can't They See This Man Is NOT Gay!!!

2007-10-11T10:45:00.000-05:00

Quote:

#1 - Star Mag - 04/26/03

Star magazine reports that despite the constant rumors that he's gay, 'American Idol' finalist Clay Aiken insists otherwise. An insider says, "Finally, after weeks of wondering, a couple of the girls on the show decided to confront him and ask point-blank: 'Are you gay, or what?' Clay didn't hesitate. He insisted that he is straight."

#2 - Rolling Stone - 07/10/03:

Some people, for example, seem to think that because he is slender, has long, fluttering eyelashes, and currently doesn't have a girlfriend, he must be gay.
...This kind of stuff seems to amuse Aiken more than it upsets him.

"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'm neither one of those, people are completely concerned about me. They're like, 'What are you then?' I'm sure it has to do with being raised by women. I wouldn't want somebody gawking at my mom and grabbing her butt and catcalling at her, trying to hook up with her at a bar. I'm not saying I'm not going to look. Hello! But you know what I mean?"

He's also a good sport and fun to spar with. "So, what's your position on pre- marital sex?"

"My own personal position is that it's much more special to wait for the person who you're married to."

#3 - Prime Time Live with Diane Sawyer: 10/09/03

Diane: In Rolling Stone he hinted he's a virgin and denied what's asked him over and over again. Is he gay? He says no.

Clay: "Somebody asked it right after the finale of the show, in the press conference with Ruben and I. I think the problem is people don't know who...what to do with me. They don't know anything about me. I'm not completely blind and stupid. I've got a southern accent which people say is...uh..."

Diane: All southern people are gay...

Clay: "Well, that and English people, too."

Diane: Oh, well that...I mean...

Clay: "I have some very effeminate qualities, you know, I try to make sure I'm clean. I was raised by my mom and my two grandmothers really for a long time. I'm not completely blind to it. I...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...with every woman that he sees. I think it's high time there's somebody who represents people who aren't gay, but doesn't sleep around with everybody...you know. If I'm supposed to carry the banner for all the nerds in the world I'm fine with that, too, so..."

#4 - J14 - Fall 2003

Q: True or False...that Clay Aiken is gay? A: False

Clay insists he is not gay, but he understands why people think he is.

There are rumors. Speculation. Gossip. But Clay wants people to know: He is not gay. Though the American Idol runner-up says he understands why people might think he is gay, since he has some "effeminate qualities," he is definitely attracted to women. Not that he's currently dating anyone. "I'm so busy right now," he says. "I don't have time." He does, however, "need someone to go to award shows with." But the 25 year-old singer doesn't consider himself to be a heartthrob. When women throw their underwear on stage, "I laugh, right there in front of them," he says. "How can you not laugh?" Clay thinks the idea of anyone thinking he's alluring is "frightening." "I try not to think of myself as a sex symbol. I think it's kind of hilarious. I think of myself as geeky and gangly and dorky and kind of hicky from North Carolina."

#5 - Elle Magazine - 09/06/03
Allison Glock

..."Ruben always jokes with me that I could have any woman out there. He says, 'You need to hook up with somebody before you leave the tour.' But I try and explain that that's not what this is about for me. The reason women like me, I think, is because I don't threaten them. I realize Ruben's right, I probably could"--he pauses, blushes--"you know, but I respect women more than that."
He wrinkles his brow, and then shakes his head. "I am extremely flattered. There are some gorgeous women who are, quote, in love with me. But I think taking advantage of that is wrong..."
Besides, Aiken is a man who takes sex seriously. "I was raised by my mother and grandmothers, and a lot of what I am is because I wanted to be different from my birth father. He was a womanizer. When I had to go visit him, there would be a different woman over every time. I thought that was really tacky."
When it's suggested that not many young men would forgo voluntary, anonymous sex with beautiful, knickerless girls, Aiken shrugs.
"If anything, women want to take care of me, to mother me. I think that's part of the reason I've sold a lot of records..."
...Aiken is nothing if not chivalrous. Considerate. Polite. He's the guy who asks you questions and actually listens to the answers--and even asks follow-up questions hours later, thereby proving that he finds you worth his attention. And he notices things. Like that the empty Burger King bag is rattling at your feet on the floor of the van, so he picks it up. Or that the air conditioner is too cold, and turns it down. It's this empathy and inherent graciousness evident in every press appearance and performance that leads many men to speculate that Aiken is gay (he has denied it) and even more women to say, Who cares?
"I don't think people know what to do with me," Aiken says. "I'm interesting because they don't know what to do with me..."

#6 - Reality Blurred - 01/13/05
American Idol 2

Clay Aiken won't talk to gay magazine.

Clay Aiken won't talk to a gay magazine, his publicist told a columnist for a gay magazine. In Next Magazine, Matt Bell writes, "We tried to get an interview with the sexually ambiguous pop star ... but his publicist told us he'd 'never talk to a gay magazine!'"

#7 - Reality Blurred - 08/30/05

Clay Aiken thinks jokes about him are "funny...half the time," but gay questions are "insulting."
Clay Aiken has a sense of humor about the jokes that often make him their target. And they're not all that unfamiliar. "I spent years and years in school getting picked on, so I'm kind of used to it," he tells The Calgary Sun. "First of all, I usually don't watch (the talk shows) and someone else will tell me about them. And, heck, half the time, I think it's funny."
He also says that when people ask him about his sexual orientation, it's "insulting." Jokes about him being gay are "just as insulting as when someone like you interviews me and asks a question like that, no matter how you word it," he says. But he's also resigned himself to the insults: "It's part of the game. You just do it."

#8 - Fly Magazine - December 2005

In other words, even after selling millions of albums and becoming one of America's biggest pop stars, it appears that Clay Aiken is still the same lovable goof we first met three years ago. There's something strangely comforting about that.

FM: In a position like yours, everybody's so interested in your personal life. Suddenly I'm reading things about you, everything from stories about your childhood pets to speculation on your sexual orientation and everything in between. Does that weird you out?

CA: It's tough. At the very beginning of the process, it's quite a shock. You don't understand why people are asking these things. I had a goat - who cares? And I didn't tell anybody that. There are times that I look on the internet or read a message board and they'll know things about me that I didn't know. [laughs] "I never told anybody that! How did they find out?" So at first it's a shock. And then later on it's not as shocking but still upsetting. And then after a while, it's just like having a gnat in your nose. You just want to kill it. [laughs] It becomes unfortunately a negative part of what you do, and you need to kind of live with it. But if you could get up your nose and kill it, you would do it. [laughs] It's not so easy sometimes.

#9 - Charlotte News & Observer - December 2005
Matt Ehlers

He lost in the show's final sing-off in 2003, but the zealous fans he won assured the kind of success that makes you think of a latter-day Tom Jones without the innuendo.

All of it -- the record contract, the money, and the panty-tossing fans -- could have gone to his head. Instead, as two days on the road with him reveal, the Clay Aiken who left North Carolina three years ago as a purposeful young man on a mission has returned that same man, only with better hair and more mettle.

#10 - The News Tribune.com - 11/04/05
Ernest Jasmin

What I really wanted to know was how he felt about the people who were really mean to him - namely the likes of Conan O'Brien, "Mad TV," "Saturday Night Live" and others who have made Aiken the subject of gay jokes since he graduated from "Idol."

"A lot of times I don't find out about these things unless I read them online," Aiken said. "I guess there's a compliment hidden deep within there. If they weren't talkin' about me, I guess it would be worse, wouldn't it? At least when people say mean things they're admitting we're important enough to mention."

#11 - Today's Christian - Nov/Dec 2005
Holly Vicente Robaina

...But celebrity hasn't been all roses. He jokes that the paparazzi know his schedule better than he does. Details of his life regularly appear on newsstands and the Internet, from what he eats for breakfast (his favorite cereal is Cinnamon Toast Crunch) to his bad habits (he used to bite his toenails). Speculation swirled about his sexuality. (No, he's not gay.)
[Note: A reputable magazine would not print this statement without having first discussed it off the record.]

#12 - Qnotes - 02/11/06

At a press conference May 21, 2003, Aiken pointedly ignored a question from Advocate reporter Alonso Duralde: "A lot of your fan base thinks you're gay. Any comment on that?"

According to Duralde, Aiken had no response whatsoever -- he simply moved on to the next reporter for another question. "He froze me out," said Duralde.

#13 - Amazon.com

Gossip has always surrounded celebrities--and one of the most common bits is about sexuality. In the past, rumors of homosexuality have been a career-killer; that is less true today, but even so most celebrities still go out of their way to deny it.

CLAY AIKEN - Pop singer Clay Aiken has often ignored the question, but he flatly stated that he was not gay to The Rolling Stone, Primetime Live, and The Kansas City Star. Popular recordings by Aiken include 'Measure of a Man'.

My "Hero" Clay Aiken

2007-10-08T01:56:00.000-05:00

This Is What I Think Of Clay Aiken!

2007-10-03T23:36:00.000-05:00

Clay is the most beautiful human being in the world!

My Secret Addiction

2007-10-03T22:22:00.000-05:00

Hi. . .

My name is annie and I have a secret addiction. I've had it for a long time. I've tried many time to just quit, but it's hard when everywhere you go on the Internet you're reminded of the hold it has on you and it won't let go.

I know, I've been in denial for a long time. It so hard to say NO! It just reaches out to you and holds on and won't let go. I'm driving my family crazy. I want to talk about it to them, but they just won't listen. They're tired of the way I go on and on about it. I just can't stop.

I know there are other out there with this addiction. It's a good feeling to know that I'm not alone. I've finally come to a decision. I'm going to just wipe the slate and come clean. So here it goes:

My name is annie, and my secret addiction is: Clay Aiken. There, I've said it. Gosh that feels so good. I am a CLAYMATE, and proud of it. Damn that feels good. What a relief! That voice, those beautiful green eyes, those soft gentle hands, those luscious lips, that distinctive nose. . .He is the most beautiful person I've ever seen. . .inside and out!

I hate the ugly things people say about him, and how people act like they are fans, but yet criticise him left and right. It makes me crazy! The one thing that really pushed me off the deep end was that I went to my first Clay Aiken concert this summer in Houston, and I was sitting in the second row with some of my friends for Louisiana, and Clay took my cell phone and sang to my seven year old granddaughter so sweetly, that I just wanted to jump right out of my seat and give him a great big hug.

Well, I'm glad I finally go this off my chest. My secret addiction is no longer a secret. Those of you out there, with the same addiction, please don't keep it a secret anymore. Just come forward and let it out. You will feel so much better by shouting it out to the world.

"IM A CLAY AIKEN FAN, AND PROUD OF IT!"