Top 20 ‘Idol’ Contestants of All Time - 7: Clay Aiken
The most successful “American Idol” runner-up of all time, Season 2’s Clay Aiken, eclipses all but two of its contestants (Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood) in total album sales.
And while Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson dug the gawky kid’s initial audition, the judges didn’t have the foresight to automatically include him in that season’s Top 12. It took the now-defunct “viewers’ choice” vote in the semifinal round to propel him to that point.
Aiken’s subsequent make-over might have been the series’ most dramatic in history. Physicality aside, his voice impressed so many fans that he spawned the series’ first militant contestant fan-base, the Claymates. And for as much unintentional comedy as there was when singer Neil Sedaka described him “ear-delicious,” it was downright touching to see the pro tear up when Aiken soared on Sedaka’s “Solitaire.”
“I have lost my song forever to you,” Sedaka said. “It will always be a Clay Aiken song.” I can count the number of times I remember anything like that happening on the show: One.
And let’s just face it: No offense to Ruben Studdard, but Aiken was robbed in the Season 2 finale.
Off the stage, the man who had worked with a 13-year-old autistic boy before getting his big break on “Idol” recently founded the Bubel/Aiken Foundation to raise awareness and improve services for people living with autism.
Aiken’s ambiguous sexuality has made him a favorite target of tabloids, probing reporters and comedian Kathy Griffin, but Aiken continues to thrive despite the adversity. The proof is in the numbers: Aiken has gone on to sell no fewer than 4 million records. To top it all off, he starts his run on Broadway as brave, brave Sir Robin in “Spamalot” this Friday.
Not bad for a guy the “Idol” judges cut before the show’s voters had their way.
Also see:
-No. 8: Fantasia Barrino
-No. 9: Blake Lewis
-No. 10: Tamyra Gray
-No. 11: Jordin Sparks
-No. 12: Melinda Doolittle
-No. 13: Bo Bice
-No. 14: Elliott Yamin
-No. 15: Ruben Studdard
-No. 16: Katharine McPhee
-No. 17: Taylor Hicks
-No. 18: Diana DeGarmo
-No. 19: Frenchie Davis
-No. 20: Lisa Leuschner
-“Top 20” intro and criteria/Honorable Mentions (Nos. 30-21)
And while Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson dug the gawky kid’s initial audition, the judges didn’t have the foresight to automatically include him in that season’s Top 12. It took the now-defunct “viewers’ choice” vote in the semifinal round to propel him to that point.
Aiken’s subsequent make-over might have been the series’ most dramatic in history. Physicality aside, his voice impressed so many fans that he spawned the series’ first militant contestant fan-base, the Claymates. And for as much unintentional comedy as there was when singer Neil Sedaka described him “ear-delicious,” it was downright touching to see the pro tear up when Aiken soared on Sedaka’s “Solitaire.”
“I have lost my song forever to you,” Sedaka said. “It will always be a Clay Aiken song.” I can count the number of times I remember anything like that happening on the show: One.
And let’s just face it: No offense to Ruben Studdard, but Aiken was robbed in the Season 2 finale.
Off the stage, the man who had worked with a 13-year-old autistic boy before getting his big break on “Idol” recently founded the Bubel/Aiken Foundation to raise awareness and improve services for people living with autism.
Aiken’s ambiguous sexuality has made him a favorite target of tabloids, probing reporters and comedian Kathy Griffin, but Aiken continues to thrive despite the adversity. The proof is in the numbers: Aiken has gone on to sell no fewer than 4 million records. To top it all off, he starts his run on Broadway as brave, brave Sir Robin in “Spamalot” this Friday.
Not bad for a guy the “Idol” judges cut before the show’s voters had their way.
Also see:
-No. 8: Fantasia Barrino
-No. 9: Blake Lewis
-No. 10: Tamyra Gray
-No. 11: Jordin Sparks
-No. 12: Melinda Doolittle
-No. 13: Bo Bice
-No. 14: Elliott Yamin
-No. 15: Ruben Studdard
-No. 16: Katharine McPhee
-No. 17: Taylor Hicks
-No. 18: Diana DeGarmo
-No. 19: Frenchie Davis
-No. 20: Lisa Leuschner
-“Top 20” intro and criteria/Honorable Mentions (Nos. 30-21)
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