Clay Aiken: "I'm Not Cool"

NEW YORK — Clay Aiken is realistic about his niche in the musical landscape.

"I'm not cool, you know what I mean? I'm not gonna lie," the good-humored singer told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "I'm not trying to be Justin Timberlake. Thank God we have him, but I'm not him. ... I'm not gonna bring anybody's sexy back."

Aiken embraces his pop-lite sensibility in "On My Way Here," his first album of all-new material in more than four years.

The 29-year-old "American Idol" alum _ he placed second to Ruben Studdard in the Fox show's second season _ was the first non-winner to release a successful album, "Measure of a Man," which went double platinum in 2003. He followed that up with two cover albums: "Merry Christmas With Love" and "A Thousand Different Ways."

The North Carolina native has racked up more life experience since his "Idol" days, and felt a deep, personal connection to the songs on the disc.

"When I (did) the first album, I ain't been through nothin', you know? ... But now I've gone through some crap, and I've gone through some good things, and I've started thinking, `Oh, wow, I know what that song's saying, I've done that, I've experienced that, that's happened to me,'" he mused in his Southern drawl.

The ballad "The Real Me," about living in the spotlight, hits close to home: "It's amazing how I meet people all the time who think they know me. ... I just did an interview a minute ago with someone (who) said, `You used to be a nanny right? That's so great.' And I was like, nooo!'"

"So many people think I'm just a sweet, happy person all the time," he added, laughing.

Aiken made his Broadway debut as Sir Robin in "Monty Python's Spamalot" in January, and recorded "On My Way Here" in his spare time. Aiken ends his run in the Tony Award-winning musical on May 4.

"Truth is, I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I have," he said. "I really have had a great time, and I've loved the people I've worked with."

Will he return to The Great White Way?

"You know, (if) the right thing came along, absolutely, I'd love to do that again," he said. "But you know what? If the right `anything' came along, I'd be happy to try it."

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On the Net:

Clay Aiken:

http://www.clayaiken.com/

Comments

[StephenCardinale]

I'm sorry but Ms. Aiken will never more than a "glorified" lounge singer.

[auramac]

I could care less about his sexuality, but he does appear to be an arrogant jerk. I have no interest in his music, either. But that applies to most "Idols.."

[Horus]

He looks like a "supernanny" in that pic!

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

More like Katie Couric in drag......

[anglefan]

He is very handsome. Girls who like him should be aware of this. I have seen his photo on a celebrity and millionaire dating site named _MILLMATCH.COM_. Seems he is a certified millionaire there.

[quadman]

SPAM!

[clintfatigue]

Is it just me, or is he starting to look like Jane Pauley?

[Felicty]

I always thought he was the spitting image of Annette Bening.

[NoSillyName]

I'm not a fan, but at least he seems to have a realistic self-image and isn't some ego maniac like so many performers..

[unmutual]

He's not even cool in that "so square he is really hip" kinda way.

[JMEB]

This is awful to say, but he does really look like a mother of 3 I used to work with in Cincinnati...

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

Agreed.

[gonavy]

No you are not cool, you wear more make up on a regular day than I wear for a special occasion. My boys get spooked every time you come on TV. My daughter thinks you are a girl. You are confusing my children and I wish you would stop.

I wish you moderators would quit tossing my comments away, my remarks are valid!

[RedDogBear]

My kid has never had a problem with gay people. I think your kids may be "confused" because they know their parent is homophobic. Get over it.

[gonavy]

I am not homophobic. I have discussed alternative lifestyles with my children, in an age appropriate manner. I wish for them to be understanding and compassionate people, yet when Clay comes on TV their immediate reaction is confusion. It has to do with a boy wearing makeup like a girl, nothing to do with what he does in his bed.

[BandsofBlack]

So in your narrow little world "alternative lifestyles" don't include men wearing makeup?

Those are some pretty restrictive "alternative lifestyles" you're discussing with your children.

[chaz]

Hey I'm no fan of this dude but your comments are far from valid. They're just plain mean.

[gonavy]

No you are not cool, you wear more make up on a regular day than I wear for a special occasion. My boys get spooked every time you come on TV. My daughter thinks you are a girl. You are confusing my children and I wish you would stop.

[MissingAmerica]

This is a good guy who deserves all his good fortune. He has a heart as big as his talent, and that's what matters. You go, guy!

[BlueLogic]

Clay's also still just "waitng for the 'right' girl to come along"

[revko]

No shit

[hartkid]

Well, I see I missed this one. I think I would have preferred the slightly more ironic "No shit?"