Clay Aiken

Clay Aiken
Aiken at Politicon in 2016
Born
Clayton Holmes Grissom[1]

(1978-11-30) November 30, 1978 (age 45)
Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • politician
  • actor
  • author
Years active2003–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Labels
Websitewww.clayaiken.com
Signature

Clayton Holmes Aiken (né Grissom; born November 30, 1978) is an American singer, television personality, actor and political activist. Aiken finished second place on the second season of American Idol in 2003, and his debut album, Measure of a Man, went multi-platinum. He released four more albums on the RCA label, Merry Christmas with Love (2004), A Thousand Different Ways (2006), the Christmas EP All is Well (2006),[2][3] and On My Way Here (2008).[4] Since then he has released two more albums, both with Decca Records: Tried and True (2010) and Steadfast (2012).[5][6] Aiken has also had eleven tours in support of his albums. In all, he has sold over 5 million albums, and is the fourth-highest-selling American Idol alumnus.[7]

Aiken co-wrote a bestselling memoir in 2004, Learning to Sing. In 2004, he also had a televised Christmas special, A Clay Aiken Christmas. During much of 2008 he appeared on Broadway in the musical comedy Spamalot, in the role of Sir Robin.[8][9] In 2010 he hosted the PBS special Tried & True Live! He has also had numerous cameo and guest appearances on TV shows. In 2012 he competed in the fifth season of The Celebrity Apprentice, coming in second to Arsenio Hall.

With Diane Bubel, Aiken created the Bubel/Aiken Foundation in 2003, which was later renamed the National Inclusion Project. In 2004, he became a UNICEF ambassador, a position he held until 2013 when he gave it up in order to run for Congress. He traveled extensively in this role. In 2006, he was appointed for a two-year term to the Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.[10][11][12]

In 2014, Aiken ran for the United States House of Representatives in North Carolina's 2nd congressional district.[13] He won the Democratic primary, but lost to Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers in the general election.[14][15] In January 2022, he announced a run for the Democratic nomination in North Carolina's 4th congressional district,[16][17] but he lost in the primary to Valerie Foushee.

  1. ^ Aiken, Clay. Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life. (2004) p. 56, ISBN 1-4000-6392-2
  2. ^ Moss, Corey. "No Love for 'Idol' Losers". MTV Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  3. ^ Barnes, Ken. "Idol sales standings: A fairly exhaustive list". USA Today. November 9, 2006. Retrieved November 23, 2006.(article archived)
  4. ^ "Clay Aiken heads 'Here' on next album". Reuters. Billboard March 25, 2008.
  5. ^ Decca Records – Clay Aiken Retrieved April 8, 2010 Archived April 9, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Ehlers, Matt A classic move Archived March 17, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Newsobserver. March 12, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  7. ^ "American Idols Top 10 Selling Performers of All Time". Billboard. Facebook.
  8. ^ "Clay Aiken meets Monty Python". CNN. Retrieved February 5, 2008 (article archived).
  9. ^ Cox, Gordon (August 12, 2008). "Clay Aiken returning to Broadway: 'American Idol' vet to reprise 'Spamalot' role". Variety. Archived from the original on February 5, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  10. ^ An open letter from co-founders Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel: Archived August 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine National Inclusion Project. August 5, 2009. Retrieved August 5, 2009.
  11. ^ "Celebrity Ambassadors: Clay Aiken" US Fund for UNICEF website.
  12. ^ ACF Press Office – PCPID Appointments". Archived September 25, 2006, at the Wayback Machine US Dept of Health and Human Services (2006). Retrieved June 22, 2007.
  13. ^ "Clay Aiken Already Facing Anti-Gay Rhetoric From Congressional Opponent". ThinkProgress.
  14. ^ Jarvis, Craig (May 13, 2014). "Aiken victory confirmed as more details on Crisco's death emerge". The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  15. ^ Lachman, Samantha (November 4, 2014). "Clay Aiken Defeated in 2014 North Carolina Congressional Race". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 6, 2014.
  16. ^ "Former American Idol star Clay Aiken is running for Congress again". The Week. January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  17. ^ Willman, Chris (January 10, 2022). "Clay Aiken Running for Congress in North Carolina". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2022.