AIKEN NEWS NETWORK AUGUST 4

From the annals of Clay (our antidote to the draught), enjoy:

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Clay Aiken: the Man for All Seasons

by Judy Simpson (2007/01/16)

Now that the sixth season of American Idol is about to unfold, this is a good time to reflect on the past five. This is especially advisable for anyone with aspirations of competing on this and future seasons because there is certainly much to learn from observing past contestants. Five years is sufficient to note not only how contestants handled themselves or mishandled themselves during the competitions, but also how they have handled their careers since leaving the show. One conclusion easily reached is that, while winning the title American Idol is indeed something, clearly it isn't everything. Jennifer Hudson, a finalist on the third season, can confirm this; for, even though she didn't make it to that season finale, this didn't deter her from pursuing her career. The fact that she was chosen for a role in "Dreamgirls" over the AI winner from her season, Fantasia, demonstrates that falling short of votes on a television talent contest doesn't preclude one from rising to the occasion under different circumstances. With all due respect to Fantasia, whose own career has been enviable, Jennifer can boast she has realized her dream without the advantages of winning her season.

If Jennifer is the "American Idol dream girl," then Clay Aiken is undoubtedly the "American Idol dream boy." No other contestant in the history of the show has attained the level of success that Clay has achieved, given the obstacles and setbacks from the beginning he has met and overcome along his inspiring journey. Clay, like Jennifer, may have left AI without the title; however, he epitomizes the show's concept better than any other contestant. This was quite clearly demonstrated last summer when Clay made a brief surprise appearance on the AI-5 finale and, with the help of vocally-challenged Aiken impersonator, Michael Sandecki, provided an awe-inspiring moment that captured his transformation from ordinary guy into a bona fide American idol. Without saying a word, Clay's presence, his performance, and his interaction as well as others' reactions, during his brief appearance on that stage illustrated where he started, how far he's come, the size of his talent and his heart, his sense of humor, his compassion for others, and why he has become, in a real sense of the word, not only an American idol but a world-class idol.

From the beginning Clay has acknowledged his imperfections and laughed at his makeovers, demonstrating they hold no significance in defining the person he really is inside. He has worked hard to give his best performance each and every time for each and every audience. His efforts and attitude are obvious and continue to win over his audiences. He made it clear during his season on AI that he was delighted to be there, totally enjoyed the experience for however long as it lasted, and while he was prepared to give it every effort, he was not all-consumed by winning. His attitude after leaving the show and embarking on his career has not changed. He continues to speak of this as a journey of undetermined length, an experience for which he is most grateful but prepared to leave with grace should his star fade. His ever-faithful fans continue to adamantly assure him that they will support him for as long as he chooses this career path, proclaiming that it is not only his talent but also his inner light that fuels his star and holds his fans steadfastly. If the record number of votes he received on the second season were not enough to keep Clay from falling just shy of the number needed to officially win him the title American Idol, then the public's vote of confidence since has more than proven him worthy to be called an American idol. Winning the title American Idol is definitely something to be proud of, but winning Clay's level of popularity and heart-felt support the world over may be the biggest consolation prize of all time.

Hopeful contestants would do well to learn from this North Carolina special education teacher's example. He definitely demonstrated the value of possessing self-confidence without being consumed by one's ego. Ego is the enemy. It creates divas. There will inevitably be contestants who believe displaying confidence means behaving like a superstar and that behaving like a superstar means acting like one is God's gift to fans. In fact, as Clay has and continues to demonstrate, behaving like a superstar means acting like his fans are God's gift to him. He recently stated that he counts among his greatest gifts the support of his fans and, even more than that, he values their support of causes important to him. He offered as an example being in awe of their overwhelming generosity toward UNICEF after he blogged asking for fans' help and called that gesture the greatest gift to him ever. That helping others in need in his name counts more to him than lining his own pockets through their support says much about this man and why his fans admire him.

Recently Clay once again demonstrated his affection for his fans during a series of symphony concert appearances last December by treating his audience like good friends. He invited his audience, composed of diehard fans and soon-to-be fans, to "play." He entertained his audiences full of friends by joking, teasing and snarking with them. His jokes targeted himself as much as any of them, and he had the audience hysterical with laughter. His relaxed banter set the tone and allowed the audience to feel part of the act. He figuratively and literally let his hair down and dared to share an unrestrained comic personality one usually reserves for the company of those who know that person best. He demonstrated his interest in and knowledge of his fans by making astute and witty observations about them. He also assumed the role of teacher and educated his audiences about some classical musical terms, which he admitted were new to him as well. By utilizing his teaching skills, he maintained just the right balance of audience participation without losing control.

As humorous as he was while talking with his audience, he was just as seriously professional when it came to singing for them. In fact, one night he gave a show-stopping performance while so ill with vertigo he could barely move let alone walk unaided. While gripping the stool and the microphone stand tightly to steady himself, he mustered every ounce of energy to perform every note of every song including an encore performance that left the audience in tears of joy and awe over what they had just witnessed. Yet, he made fun of his condition rather than plead for sympathy or excuse himself from giving his audience the best show he possible could. Perhaps these are other lessons to be learned from Clay…to never take yourself so seriously that you can't laugh at yourself; and to allow your audience to see your vulnerabilities so that they may also recognize your strengths in conquering them. Add also to this the lesson of dispensing with any baggage you may carry onto the stage with you so the audience won't be left fretting that you may trip over it at some point. For example, Clay embarked on this tour on the heels of a heavily reported controversy over an incident on a talk show. Rather than avoid any mention of it, Clay addressed it with humor, chiding himself and the other party involved, as well as poking fun at the media for giving this far more attention and importance than it deserved. He used humor to put it into perspective and defuse the situation. Other celebrities might do well to note Clay's example. He also illustrated the absurdity of some of the headlines printed about him in tabloids by offering a few creative ones of his own about himself. He gave his audience a laugh while making his point. Whatever controversy placement of his hand may have caused recently, he certainly had no complaints from fans after these concerts when he walked the very long lines they formed leading to his bus, shaking each hand and thanking fans personally for coming. If possible, he has grown even closer and dearer to his fans than ever before.

Clay got where he is because of who he is and by stubbornly refusing to change himself except for making superficial changes to his appearance. Clay has said, regarding his makeovers, that no matter how the wrapping may change, the gift inside remains the same. When asked in a recent interview what advice he would give to AI hopefuls, Clay replied, "Being yourself is the best advice, not just on the show but in life in general…really being yourself. If you look at every single person who's come from the show that's been successful, they've been someone who hasn't compromised who they really are in order to be something that they think they should be." Following Clay's advice may not guarantee someone an American Idol title, but will certainly make him/her a better person and bring its own rewards.

Clearly Clay's journey has not been easy. Even after achieving great acclaim, he has been the target of ugly rumors, gossip and blatant attacks on his character. However, because he built his career solidly as much on integrity, humility, honesty, and morality as on artistry and talent, he has had no need to defend or explain himself in the face of such assaults. One of the first insights into Clay's character came during his season on AI, when he expressed that more important to him than winning AI was making a difference. He said it did not matter so much how he made a difference but that he just wanted to be sure that he did. In more ways than can be named here within the constraints of this article, he has done just that. He has touched more lives, lifted more hearts, brought more joy, inspired more charitable acts, and enabled more dreamers than any other contestant who has graced the AI stage. Thus, while following Clay's example may not guarantee new contestants that they will win the AI competition, it will guarantee them that they will emerge as winners. Each new season ends with another American Idol, but Clay Aiken remains the man for all seasons.