Clay Aiken - News, Pictures, Bio

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Clay Aiken first burst upon the U.S. pop scene with an appearance on American Idol in 2003.

Audiences were riveted as singers vied for a first place finish in front of a nationwide audience. Aiken lost out to Ruben Studdard by 134,400 of 24 million votes.

Despite his apparent loss, it was easy to predict that the No. 2 underdog had still won big. During his appearance on American Idol, the "adorkable' Aiken was that rare G-rated heart throb, viewed as the ideal prom date by parents of pre-pubescent teens. The result was instant Clay-mania, a national phenomenon that saw both young girls - and their mothers - swooning over the straight-laced crooner.

A church-going Baptist who attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Aiken majored in special education and later helped establish the Bubel/Aiken Foundation to assist individuals suffering from autism and other physical and mental disabilities.

In 2006, Aiken has been at the center of a controversy with daytime host Kelly Ripa following his guest hosting duties on her show "Live with Regis and Kelly." Ripa claimed Aiken was rude to her, and at one point even put his hand over her mouth during an interview, sparking the public feud that made national headlines in November 2006.

2008 has seen Aiken's fortunes rise in New York where he surprised critics in January with his Broadway debut in the role of Sir Robin in the hit musical Spamalot based on the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

Aiken's next album, "On My Way Here" also debuts in May 2008.

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