BACKTRACK! Clay Aiken (Sort Of) Apologizes To Adam Lambert

NEW YORK — Clay Aiken says blood didn't truly pour forth from his ears when he heard runner-up Adam Lambert sing "Ring of Fire" _ and hey, he's sorry for his "colorful choice of words."

The former Idol contestant writes in a blog on his Web site dated Friday that "I obviously meant it as a colorful statement to imply that I did not enjoy what I heard." He also says he didn't mean it as "a 'slam' on Adam as a person."

He had blasted Lambert's take on the classic Johnny Cash tune as "contrived," "awful" and "slightly frightening." Aiken says he hopes Lambert can forgive him _ but adds Lambert probably doesn't care about what he said.

Aiken lost out to Ruben Studdard in 2003. He's since released several albums, appeared on Broadway and publicly confirmed he's gay.

Comments

[kylennblack]

I would have thought that coming out (finally) and getting a cute boyfriend (he is!) would have calmed Clay down but he's just as cranky as ever.

[psbintl]

He was responding to a fan's question at his fan site on his own personal fan site blog!

I have met this man in person and he is about the least cranky person I have ever met besides being extremely gracious and nice!

A person can't even give an opinion these days without everyone getting themselves crazy!

[selinapeaches]

Let me guess - you met him at a publicity appearance like after a show or at a book signing. I have too, but that doesn't count. We can all behave when we have to. As a former claymate (still love the voice but not so much the man), it has been upsetting to see him go from that sweet elfin faced boy on AI to the bitchy person he's become. Fame comes at a price - many a good hearted soul has become a spoiled brat when given too much. He reminds me of Elton John and his hissy fits about other people - only Elton can play the paino and has worked hard to achieve the title of Bitchy Queen.

[NationalWaterCooler]

If you're interested in seeing a parody of Entertainment Weekly's outing of Adam Lambert check this out:

http://www.nationalwatercooler.com/nationalwatercooler/NationalWaterCooler/Entries/2009/5/23_Outing_Entertainers_Weekly.html

[Huffan2]

You people need to get a life. Clay didn't like one song Adam sang and posted it in answer to a fan. He apologized and suggested Adam likely doesn't like his songs either. He's not the devil. Elliot Yamin posted that Kris wasn't as good as Adam. OMG!! Did they stop the presses and crucify him? No. Get over it.

[psbintl]

Agreed!

At there is one person posting here with some sense!

[bibimimi]

He's got teensy lil' milk teeth. U sure this wasn't taken at Madame Tussauds?

[BlueLogic]

Clay is cowardly. He was too much of a coward to come out publicly at the zenith of his career and he's too cowardly to make his critique of Lambert and stand by it. Tsk Tsk...what kind of role model are you for your "son."

[psbintl]

It was no ones business. His family and close friends, whom he told way back in 2004 knew he was gay, and he felt it was no ones business except those close to him.

Your bias is showing!

[smalltownlady]

If you knew anything about the man you would know it was for his son that he made it public. His friends and family already knew. To the rest of the world it was none of their business. Just like who you sleep with is none of anyone's business. If any of you actually knew about the man you would know that he has sold the most records than any other male coming out of AI and just this past week if you read FORBES you would know that he was the made the highest earnings last year than any other male performer coming out of AI. So if you don't follow him, don't just speculate.

[harriettubman]

Clay didn't have to go public for his son. IMO, he went public because too many of his lovers were coming forward with tawdry internet stories. He appeared desperate.

[psbintl]

To me, this blog puts things in perspective:

http://www.claynewsnetwork.com/2009/05/24/clay-aiken-are-you-ok/

[DrJohnnySkeptic]

This is the loser from the first season of American Idol, right?

He's one to talk.

[NoSillyName]

The "losers" on this show frequently turn out to be the "winners" in terms of record sales. This is the case with CA.

[PuzzledinPeoria]

A bird has built a nest on Aiken's head.

[Steamboater]

Aikem is a silly little wuss and his remarks just show what an amateur he is. Most professionals are either keep quiet or are very careful about, and usually polite, what they say about other performers in public.

[MiraMcB]

I agree. It was totally de classe. Nothing more unattractive than one celebrity bashing another, especially when one of them (Aiken in this case) is so marginal. Apparently, his estimation of his own self-importance is highly inflated. He is probably very correct that Adam Lambert couldn't care less. Neither could anyone else. The only reason his comments have gotten any play at all is the sheer audacity.

[JenniferEccles]

I agree. This sort of bitchiness has been evident in Mr. Aiken before when he has appeared on talk shows.

At first he seems like a polite southern guy and then he says something really mean and it takes you by surprise.

His remarks were a pathetic attempt at stealing some of the white hot spotlight that is currently pointed at Mr. Lambert.

[riskybusiness]

I find it funny Adam is taking so much heat for "his" way of sing Ring of Fire. It isn't even his.. he stole it. if anyone that cares to will go to youtube and search for Dilana Robichaux they will find the real originator of that colorful version. She was runner up on the Rock Star Super Nova reality show and that is where she performed Ring of Fire. I think she should have won.

[simmike777]

Lambert gave credit before he even performed Ring of Fire. He never stole anything, because he admitted it wasn't his arrangement to begin with.

[woodcut]

I'm gay.
But, will heteros please take CLAY & RICHARD SIMMONS onto your
team?
They are both an embarrassment to the gay community.

[Kiabell04]

Agreed! LOL

[green108]

LOL!!!

[AnyonebutBush]

If you will take Dick Cheney, we will take Clay off your hands

[Comidoki]

Human beings only please

[psbintl]

I just think way to much has been made of this by the media.

Because Clay Aiken has demonstrated such enormous talent, first on AI and consistently over the years, I have followed his career. And the pattern that has emerged with the media over the last six years regarding Mr. Aiken is they do not hesitate to bash this young man any chance they get.

I have not seen one other AI winner, runners up or contestant who has been vilified in the media as much as Clay Aiken, and yet he is one of the most talented ever to grace the AI stage.

Not to mention his outstanding philanthropic works over the past six years, which barely ever get a mention.

I find that sad.

[blonndie]

stop the insanity.

[rivahcat]

It's a moot point. AI is fixed; the fools who watch it and vote are kidding themselves, as the selections have been pre-made, even before the episodes are aired.

I hate "reality" TV, because it's anything BUT.

[dvsinla]

i don't watch the show but if it were fixed then wouldn't adam have won... right? why would they intentionally fix the show which is illegal and then do it to pick someone who the heads of the show clearly didn't want to win. your statement makes no sense. i think this proves it's not fixed. if it were... they would have picked adam. this is based on friends and reading media on how the judges loved the adam kid to a point of pissing off some fans.

[simmike777]

It is fixed because the religious right paid for and put ATT to Go phones into the hands of hundreds if not thousands of Arkansas tweens. Wo while they were logging 2000 or even 4000 votes via text message, many Lambert fans were getting nothing but a busy signal for hour after hour.

[spiderbucket]

Only a dork would even care about anything going on with American Idol. Clay is a nothing in a bowl of nothing.