Clay Aiken has achieved big things since coming in second during “Season 2″ of American Idol.” Years before Simon Cowell left “Idol,” Aiken was bested by soul singer Ruben Studdard. Still, he managed a rather successful career within the music industry. In fact, Aiken got off to a slightly stronger start than his victor, according to MRT. While Studdard’s debut single, “Flying Without Wings,” sold 286,000 copies, Aiken’s single, “This Is the Night-Bridge Over Troubled Water,” eclipsed it by more than 100,000 sales. His accompanying album, “Measure of a Man,” sold more than a million copies, achieving platinum status. Meanwhile, his entire catalog has produced more than five million album sales since 2003.
In recent years, Aiken has ventured into politics, though he hasn’t had nearly as much success in this arena. In 2014, the singer tried and failed to run for Congress, then gave it another go in 2022. Although he wasn’t successful during either bid, he did reveal his motivation for attempting to enter the political arena during his second go-around. Along with the fact that his Congressman, David Price, had recently retired, thus opening up a seat in North Carolina, Aiken, who’s been open about his sexuality, also wanted to challenge Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson. “In November as I was considering it, the lieutenant governor here in North Carolina [Mark Robinson], who is … he’s empathetically challenged,” he shared with Variety. “He gave a speech in which he said … ‘What purpose do homosexuals serve?’ I watched that sort of with just dumb struck awe that someone could be so ignorant … I said, you know, ‘I got your purpose, b**ch. I will show you.'”
Since then, Aiken has found his way back to music.
Clay has teamed back up with Ruben Studdard
Although his latter solo music didn’t make as much of a splash as his first stretch in the industry, Clay Aiken has not vanished (like some “American Idol” alum). For example, the beloved star teamed up with Ruben Studdard, his longtime friend and sometimes collaborator, for a reunion tour in 2024. While speaking with WKMG Orlando, Aiken revealed their motivation for coming back together. “20 years is sort of a big deal, and Ruben … reminded me of it,” he said. “So, it seems like something worth celebrating, that we are still alive 20 years later, that we’re able to continue performing 20 years later … so it’s a celebration, and it’s a thank you to the people who watched us in 2003.”
Beyond that, Aiken revealed in November 2024 that he was also gearing up to release new solo Christmas music after several years without new material. Interestingly, it was his political career that influenced his return. “I’ve spent the last 10 years in the political world, and I’m cured of that. I got to a place where I couldn’t stomach the political thing,” he shared with Variety in November 2024. “Everybody’s music at some point becomes dated, but Christmas survives. If I’m going to be gone for 15-to-20 years, I want to come back to something that’s timeless.” Also? There are other things he wants to do, including voice acting. “I’ve always wanted to voice a cartoon,” he continued. “I’m good friends with Lea Salonga, the voice of Mulan and Jasmine. I’m still jealous of her for that. I have a unique speaking voice too, so I’d be perfect for some ‘King of the Hill’-type character.”
