Clay Aiken performs at UNCC basketball game
11:26 AM EST on Sunday, January 11, 2004
By JOHN ROMERO / 6NEWS 'American Idol’ runner-up Clay Aiken sang the national anthem Saturday night and performed two of his songs when UNC Charlotte faced off against East Carolina and he saw some familiar faces in the crowd: his own.
It seems Clay mania, at least in one way, has finally gone to Aiken's head. Clay Aiken bobblehead dolls were handed out to the first 9,000 fans at the 49ers game, producing the school's first sellout of the season and only its third in two years.
Aiken left UNCC a student, and returned for graduation last month as an American idol.
Aiken wore jeans and a green Number 49 Charlotte basketball jersey with Aiken on the back. He first performed "The Way" as fans screamed and light bulbs flashed around the darkened arena.
Aiken then sang his hit song "Invisible" while hugging four female members of the 49ers cheerleading team.
The bobblehead giveaway was scheduled six months ago, but UNCC officials just learned the superstar would come in person to sing the national anthem and one of his new numbers.
The university ordered over 9,100 dolls, one for every fan in a sell out crowd.
Clay Aiken was flattered by the bobblehead, but said the doll's appearance made him look "like he had been in the tanning bed."
Freshman Julie Wiegant was one of many who bought tickets to the game. She’s happy to have Aiken back on campus.
Aiken waived his usual $7,500 appearance fee for the event. Instead, the university will donate $20,000 to his foundation to fight autism. The dolls were paid for through two corporate sponsorships.
Aiken, the runner-up in the popular American Idol television show last year, graduated from University of North Carolina-Charlotte in December. Aiken's first album, "Measure of a Man", debuted No. 1 and went double-platinum.
Lines at the box office were 30 deep before the game and included hundreds of teenage fans waving signs in Aiken's honor. Several female students even wore white "We Love Clay" T-shirts in the stands.
WCNC.com
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