Clay Aiken's Incredibly Awkward Newsweek Interview

Newsweek has a "web exclusive" interview with "American Idol" runner idol runner up Clay Aiken to promote his appearance in the Broadway production of "Spamalot". But some of the questions proved stunningly awkward. An excerpt:

How did you get into a fight with that lady on a plane?
I'm not going to talk about it.

I was just curious because you've never talked about it.
I did talk about it.

What about the Kelly Ripa thing?
I'm not going to discuss it.

Did you think it was homophobic?
I'm not going to discuss it.

What do you want to talk about?
I think we're done.

Can we talk about something fun?
No, we're done. I thought NEWSWEEK would be more reputable. I'm surprised.

But I think people are curious about it.
It was a year ago. This is NEWSWEEK. It's not the National Enquirer. I'd hate to have a job where I had to be rude to people.

We're just having a conversation.
Change the subject! I'd never take a job where I had to do something that I didn't want to do.

What about all those Ford commercials on "American Idol"?
That wasn't a job.

It was part of your job.
It wasn't a Ford commercial. It was a music video. It was a completely different thing.

I'll change the subject. What do you do for fun?
I watch the news. I read news magazines, but I'm reconsidering that now.

Read the whole interview here.

Comments

[peacewarrior]

By asking Clay if he thought Rippa's action was homophobic, the reporter was indirectly inferring that he was gay. Very sleazy move for a serious news reporter. Clay was right to end the interview since reporter had probably agreed beforehand to ask no questions about private life. I respect Clay's right to make his sexual preference no one's business but his own.

[mlv1055]

Bitch.

[rini]

He was funny on Scrubs. But I think it wasn't him. It was the plot and the show.

Sad, that he can't be himself.

You didn't choose to be gay, Clay, and it doesn't hurt anyone. Don't feel bad about it.

[Dubnacious]

I'm no Claymate but I have Mr. Aiken's back on this one. He handled the situation like a pro. Newseek is a rag anyway, screw em'.

[AngryCitizen]

He should just come out of the closet and be done with it. Lance did it, so can he.

[JMEB]

His whole life is avoiding talking about his personal life, because he has so much to hide. This is what happens when you're gay and your entire fanbase consists of middle-aged bigoted Bible beaters.

[wijg]

Newsweek can't give their magazine away. They started sending me issues out of the blue, after about 6 issues they sent me a "last issue notification" bill offering 27 issues for $9.97. Newsweek is a joke.

[waitomo]

And this is important why???

[TitusPullo]

"Clay Aiken: I'm sore. I couldn't even get off the toilet the other day. It hurts so bad. I don't know if it's I'm not coordinated or using muscles I never had to use before."

You know your interview is off to a bad start if that's the first thing you say.

[NewRiver]

What a Diva.

[FITNESSSF]

Someone is sure defensive! Newsweek may cover news but it is NOT a news magazine. They cover theater, movies, celebrity gossip. What in the heck did he think they would ask him?

Newsweek: Clay, how do you think we should solve th problems in Iraq

Clay: I am glad you ask. I have many ideas about this. Thank goodness I am being interviewed by a magazine that covers news and not my singing...­.

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