ACCORDING TO CLAY - CLAY QUOTES

Below are things that Clay has been heard to say.

On his goals:
"In this arena, I don’t set goals because it’s part of my realist nature. But there are things I want to do. I always wanted to sing on the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade and I’m doing it! I want to have a second album."

On being able to sing:
"I don’t think I’m the best singer ever. I don’t think I’m better than all 32 of those people who sang. I still don’t. Kim Locke is going to do well. She’s already been signed to Curb Records and she has an album coming out I think the same day as Ruben’s. Her first single is better than mine."

On cats:
"Actually, I don’t hate cats, I’m just kind of afraid of them."

On "Bullying"
"I don’t think I gave anybody a reason to bully me. The thing about bullies is if you show them that you’re intimidated and you’re upset by them, they’re gonna keep doing it. I’d be, “Forget you, then” and walk away. I don’t let things get under my skin as much as some people do."

On kids with disabilities:
"...kids without disabilities learn a lot from kids with disabilities. There are so many things that are so much bigger than what to wear that day. I don’t feel sorry for children with disabilities. I feel excited for them for the opportunities that they do have."

On being a role model:
"You can be a good one or a bad one. I got to this point and it’s a high profile job and on top of that, there are the rigors and pressures of being in the public eye all the time. And my absolute priority, more than having a good song, is to set a good example. I accept it as a responsibility."

On living in Los Angeles:
"The traffic is horrible. The people can be kinda nuts. The food has avocado on it everywhere you go. I don’t dislike L.A. The weather is nice, but it’s always the same. I love seasons. I like snow. I like the leaves to change color. If I lived in Raleigh I’d get all of that in the same yard."

"I'm not going to unpack, I'm just going to live out of my suitcase. I don't want to get too used to being here."

On close female friends:
"You don’t have to be either dating or not friends. There can be a middle ground and that’s what a platonic relationship is. I think platonic relationships can be closer than dating relationships sometimes. Dating relationships end and platonic relationships are going to be there no matter what."

American Idol:

On biggest lesson he learned from the Americal Idol experience:
"Perseverance. I got cut twice. I got cut in Charlotte. I didn’t have to go to Atlanta to audition. I could have said, “I’m not cut out for this.” But I said, “I think I’m better than that, I can go try again.” So I went to Atlanta and I made it through. Then I got cut the first time around. I could have told them I didn’t want to come back for the Wild Card show but I did and look how far I got."

"I didn't get cut tonight; I just didn't win." (You've won my heart)

Clay's on his definition of an Americal Idol:
"American celebrities have an amazing amount of influence on the way America thinks, feels, and acts. I think that such an influence should be used in the most positive way possible."

And: "Someone with a talent that leaves a mark on American society and inspires people to think, feel, love, act."

"After I sang 'Somewhere Out There,' Simon said, 'You're the one to beat.' Getting a compliment from Simon is like getting water out of a rock."

"We're extremely happy, cuz America didn't go with the image thing so much this year."

"I think Ruben and I will always be linked together in everyone's minds. I think we're a pair now."

"I don't take Simon too seriously either."

About biggest challenge: "Getting used to [my new contact lenses]. I'm sure I was looking at Randy once when Paula was talking."

"I think Ruben and I will always be linked together in everyone's minds. I think we're a pair now."

On his fame and lack of privacy:
"There are many days where I’m willing to do it, to trade places with my friends who are teaching back in North Carolina. There are days where I’m ready to give it up."

"I never knew that people made a club for me!"

"I left Raleigh six months ago, and nobody knew who I was. It's very hard to get used to."

"I don't understand why people like me! It doesn't make any sense!"

"I'm really not that special. Really, I'm not. I was on a big TV show, but it was just a TV show."

"Of the dreams that I didn't dream, this is definitely a dream come true."

On the pressures of being in the public eye:
"...as long as you're living right, then you don't have to worry about what people see."

"It's not the money. It's not the fame. It's the influence."

"The greatest glory never comes from falling, but from rising each time you fall."

"It's important that I make a difference in some way. It's not necessarily how I make a difference, but I want to make sure that I do."

On his makeover:
"I'm not different. I'm not different at all. The wrapping is different but the gift is still the same

"I think there's a difference between appearance and image. An image is not how you look. It's what you do. It's what you portray. Your personality, the example you set, and that's huge for me."

"I've always looked like this what are you talking about?"
(Love his wicked sense of humor)

"It's a whole team of people working 24 hours around the clock to make me look like this."

"I know that I've got big ears and a big forehead and that my hair sticks up, but I'm happy with myself. I'm not necessarily trying to win a beauty pageant here."

"I enjoy singing and that's what I'm here to do. I know I'm not a model; I'm not going to be. I'm not the best lookin' person here, and that's fine. That's not what it's about to me."

"I'm six foot one...". "When you stand beside Ruben, you look short."

"Half my butt is mac & cheese and the other half is Krispy Kreme..."

"I just stand there and let them dress me. Whatever happens, happens!"

On MOAM:
"It's a pop-flavored album. I think there's a lot of people out there who may not be the best influence for kids. I wouldn't want my kids listening to some of the stuff out there. None of the stuff on the album is like that."

From 'Rolling Stone' Magazine:
"I'm really not that special. Really, I'm not. It was just a T.V show.

Album photo shoot:
"I think I've broken three cameras today."

"I'm tired and I don't know what day it is."

On Ryan Seacrest - ON LIVE:
I just stand there and let them dress me. Whatever happens, happens.

On his Faith:
I'm religious. I think this is something God had planned for me."

"What comes out of this is what God wants to happen."

On the future:
"It's important that I make a difference in some way. If it's performing and touching someone that way, that's great; if it's being a teacher and helping some kid understand something, that's even better..."

"One of the first things I'm gonna do is set up a foundation. Since I'm not going to be teaching for a while, I'd still like to stay connected and use this platform to bring attention to autism awareness and to individuals with disabilities."

Odds & Ends:
"Because I'm from North Carolina, you think I'm the Andy Griffith show, or something?"

To 'The Jaded Journalist': "Is this interview prepared at all, or it is fly by the seat of your pants?"

"Can I be the next bachelor?" "I never thought I'd be an object of affection. That's the biggest surprise of the whole experience!"

In an interview with Disc Jockey "Java Joel": Joel teasingly sang a bar of 'Unchained Melody', trying to get Clay to sing with him...which Clay didn't do. Afterwards, Joel asked Clay,"What is your favorite song to sing?" Clay replied, "Well, it was 'Unchained Melody until you sang it!"