09/25/2008
Clay Aiken Talks to Diane Sawyer About Decision to Come Out
Clay Aiken spoke to Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America this morning about his decision to come out of the closet.
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
Others have been speaking out as well.
American Idol judge Simon Cowell joked, "Wow, that's a shock. It's like being told Santa Clause isn't real -- unbelievable," then added, "Good for him. If he said it, it's the right thing for him. Good for him. I don't think anyone cares. Let's face it. It's 2008. You know, who cares?"
Lance Bass told People, "I'm happy for him. It's good to see someone actually being true to who they are. I think it's something that's nice to share with the world, because it really does relieve a lot of pressure off of you," then joked, "Coming out on the cover of PEOPLE magazine? I mean, c'mon. Can't he be just a little bit more original?"
Charlie Herschel, who's a contestant on the upcoming season of Survivor, talked to the Advocate about how he struck up an IM relationship with a then-closeted Aiken last summer: "Well, he’s not a close friend of mine. We’ve only hung out, like, twice. I fell out of touch with him for a little while, but there was a point when I was in law school that I was on IM almost every day, so we used to IM almost every day. But we haven’t spoken since I got back from Africa, so he doesn’t even know I was on Survivor. But there was a point, up through when I left for Survivor, where we were in pretty close contact...I was pretty surprised that he came out, just because he seemed pretty adamant about being private about that sort of stuff with the public."
And do you remember John Paulus, the former Green Beret and real estate agent who in 2006 claimed he's had sex with Aiken? He released a statement and is shutting down his Aiken blog: "Some have called or emailed me asking if I feel vindicated. For me, this isn’t about vindication. The days of me seeking such have past. This is about Clay Aiken and what this means for him. Today, Clay Aiken has just had that 10 ton weight lifted from his shoulders. He doesn’t have to hide or live in fear of anyone knowing his secret. He can be happy living openly and honestly and for me this is what’s most important. I hope that Clay fans will forgive Clay and accept him."
Watch Diane Sawyer's interview, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 2:15 PM EST by Andy Towle in Clay Aiken, Gay Parents, I'm Gay, News | Permalink
Like it?
Subscribe to FREE Towleroad daily headlines with our RSS feed!
RECENT STORIES:
Comments
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
so he's coming out and the pressure's off? HA! like mercedes mccambridge said in touch of evil, honey the fun is just beginning....
Posted by: the queen | Sep 25, 2008 2:22:29 PM
If Clay Aiken can come out of the closet than why can't Senator Lindsey Graham (R-NC)? I guess I'll just never understand these southern belles.
Congratulations, Clay, darling. You're more of a man than Miss Cooper will ever be.
Posted by: the queen with the countess de gooch | Sep 25, 2008 2:38:14 PM
Call me old-fashioned, but who are we to judge what timing was good for him to come out. As long as he's honest with himself and those that (really) matter, then that's fine by me.
Posted by: jason | Sep 25, 2008 2:42:51 PM
While he seemed more relaxed at first, out came the nervous laugh at points, which suggests he's reflexively defensive.
Posted by: anon | Sep 25, 2008 2:55:37 PM
"I hope that Clay fans will forgive Clay..."
Forgive him for what?
Posted by: soulbrotha | Sep 25, 2008 2:59:33 PM
It worries me to say this, but he made me laugh in this interview. And LIKE him...
Posted by: Joe | Sep 25, 2008 2:59:37 PM
I must say I give the guy credit for coming out and not using his "private life" to promote a record, book, series or movie like the rest of the celebs we hold in such high regard............
Posted by: wopboptoorledo | Sep 25, 2008 3:00:30 PM
I thought he was amazingly articulate and effective in talking about the many aspects of being gay and the issues of coming out.
Way to go Clay! I think you will be a good spokesperson and role model for many younger gay and lesbian kids.
Welcome to your new life. Keep up the good work.
And most of all CONGRATULATIONS on becoming a father. NOTHING, not even coming out, will change your life as much as that precious little boy.
Posted by: Zeke | Sep 25, 2008 3:04:24 PM
Okay darlings, i know some of you are a bit worried about me so here's the story: Somebody (or it could even be several people for all i know) is or are hacking me and using my handle. I appreciate the concern about me having completely lost my marbles, etc. So I shall bravely continue on and let you all sort it out as to who is the real "queen".
Posted by: the queen | Sep 25, 2008 3:07:03 PM
Yawn.
Posted by: jeffg166 | Sep 25, 2008 3:11:23 PM
The Survivor guy immediately discussing this in an interview is a little tacky. I guess there's nothing wrong with it--but clearly was "friends" with Clay Aiken because he's famous.
Posted by: JoshEV | Sep 25, 2008 3:15:58 PM
A Santa Clause? Is that the small print at the bottom of Santa Claus' wish list saying something about being naughty or nice?
Posted by: Orthographic Elf | Sep 25, 2008 3:16:16 PM
Next thing you know Barry Manilow will come out.
Posted by: Michael in DC | Sep 25, 2008 3:49:16 PM
Good for him!
I hear a lot of this "well, duh" nonsense floating around... so I have to say, coming out isn't announcing that you're gay - coming out is being comfortable that you're gay.
So it's nice to know he's finally come to terms with himself, so he can finally start loving himself :)
Posted by: Paul | Sep 25, 2008 4:04:41 PM
Well whoever is the first QUEEN on the post should know that while Clay is from NC, Graham is not.
Posted by: Dan B | Sep 25, 2008 4:24:35 PM
Absolutely, Paul, you put it just right. It's easy to be catty about Clay--yawn, duh, I thought he was a lesbian!--but, for anyone, coming out isn't about unloading the secret (that usually isn't terribly secret), it's about honoring instead of hiding that essential part of yourself. He was quite charming and articulate in the interview with earnest Diane.
Posted by: Ernie | Sep 25, 2008 5:00:56 PM
Wow, Simon Cowell's a prick. I could say the same thing about him if he ever came out.
Posted by: db | Sep 25, 2008 5:27:11 PM
Finally!
Posted by: Rhea | Sep 25, 2008 7:15:12 PM
I still find him repugnant.
Posted by: Dave | Sep 25, 2008 10:43:18 PM
He is adorable and the baby is cute too. Congratulations to Clay.
Posted by: Matty | Sep 26, 2008 12:08:26 AM
While it's great that Clay came out, why didn't People magazine show his male partner on the cover too? People magazine seems to have a real problem with depicting male-male couples. Female-female couples, on the other hand, get plenty of coverage (Ellen-Portia, Lindsay-Samantha).
People magazine is the latest in a long line of liberal/entertainment magazines which appear to be paranoid about depicting male-male couples.
Posted by: jason | Sep 26, 2008 4:23:16 AM
hate this gay akien he should have told us on idol see britney lyrics, pics and news on her new video womanizer on
www.entertainroom.com
Posted by: jyotsna | Sep 26, 2008 6:30:07 AM
OK people move along, break it up, there's nothing to see here.
Posted by: Robert | Sep 26, 2008 10:14:24 AM
Forgive him for what? How about lying to them? (his fans)
Posted by: Janie | Sep 26, 2008 11:40:13 AM
Has anyone heard from Kathy Griffin?
Posted by: Patrick | Sep 26, 2008 11:58:03 AM