Clay News!

Perhaps he doesn't, but in ENDLESS interviews he goes on about being family friendly, a good role model, wouldn't do anything he wouldn't want his children to see, wouldn't sing certain lyrics, wouldn't make lovey dovey in any videos, and on and on. A lot of people took that to mean he was a "Goody Goody" . He won't even go without a white t-shirt and unbutton more than one button! Between all his talk of being so family friendly and putting down celebs who aren't (remember what all he said about the Billboard Awards and wanting to take his mom by the hand and run to Cracker Barrel?) he certainly did want people to think he was a good country Christian boy. And I think most of us thought he was. This baby making with Jaymes through me for a loop because I didn't see that one coming AT ALL!

I have no problem with gay couples seeking ways to have unconventional families and do not think this is a "sin" or necessesarily horrible for the cihildren. I totally understand the concept of wanting biological children over adopting. Being a childless woman who tried to have my own and did not succeed and chose to not adopt-believe me I totally understand the motive there if the resources are available for extensive IVF.

What I do find selfish and odd about Clay and Jaymes' choices is the inevitable problems that sharing a child of a celebrity will bring on. If Jaymes is being paid to do this, which I'm sure she is btw-what kind of strange custody arrangement will come out of this relationship? Not only is she not the most suitable incubator for Clay's seed, I really don't think old people make the greatest parents either. I know I do not have the patience that I had at 25-30 or even 40. What about potential health issues for Jaymes? She is going to be 70-71 when this child is 20. Will she even be around when this child goes to college?

These are the kind of issues that smack of selfish, irrational motives to me in choosing Jaymes as the mother of this and Clay's next child.

Is Jaymes in her second trimester yet? Because if not..the chances are very high she will miscarry anyway. It sometimes takes several tries for a successful outcome with IVF.

Jaymes is due in August so I think that would make her in her 3rd trimester.

So sorry you couldn't have kids Luca You would have been an amazing mom! You are an amazing mom to your 4 legged babies! Adoption is just not for everybody and I totally understand that.

If you think Jaymes is too old for this baby just think about their planned baby #2!

I honestly hope she is not being paid for this because I hate that whole "baby for sale" idea.

Quote :

but in ENDLESS interviews he goes on about being family friendly, a good role model, wouldn't do anything he wouldn't want his children to see, wouldn't sing certain lyrics, wouldn't make lovey dovey in any videos, and on and on.

... And... his material has been, in fact, pretty antiseptic and clean. He has not done anything overtly sexual, he does not swear, and he does not ever hint at any kind of drinking or drug use. He kept his promise. He's also impregnated his friend to have a baby. Without having sex.

Really antiseptic. It's weird, but it certainly isn't dirty.

Who on earth said this baby was for sale???

Quote :

Who on earth said this baby was for sale???

The whole thing smacks of Michael Jackson's babies' mama arrangement to me-which involved LOTS of money from what I gathered, or at least guaranteed her a very pleasant lifestyle for quite sometime. She was supposedly a "friend" too.

We do some some variances in cultural groups here. Obviously (I work at and AIDS services organization, I previously worked at an art museum and I spent decades doing plays and being in theater groups). Plus all the woman who were close friends (including the lesbian ones) and my peers, if they had kids at all, they had them in their late 30s and early 40s, up to late 40s if they adopted. Nearing 60 now, their kids are just now looking to start college. These women are vibrant, healthy and active, partially because they didn't have kids for so long.

That is normal to me. In my cultural and social circle, that really is normal.

It would be far less normal in my little world for a gay guy to pick a straight young woman and get her pregnant so he could raise a kid. In fact that sure would be frowned upon. It is much more normal to me that two friends who adore each other and who want to raise a kid together are an older straight woman and a younger gay guy. If he merely wanted a bought baby he would have done that. It continues to make perfect sense to me that he wants to do it with his closest friend. If she were younger she probably would NOT do it. She would probably be waiting for a straight guy to do it with. I assume she didn't do it with the husband whom she divorced because he was an asshole, and she would much rather do it with a great guy like Clay.

Michael Jackson and his hired womb were not personal friends and social peers. SHe was a hired womb, that is all.

Yes, from all that I have read Debbie was not a friend. She was brought into the picture for the sole purpose of having the babies, being paid and giving up custody to Michael. I really do not see Clay as Micheal Jacksonish, and I really do not think Clay is paying Jaymes. If in the future we hear otherwise it will be one more shock for me

Quote :

he whole thing smacks of Michael Jackson's babies' mama arrangement to me-which involved LOTS of money from what I gathered, or at least guaranteed her a very pleasant lifestyle for quite sometime.

Remember, we're talking about David Foster's sister. I doubt she needs the money.

I am watching the Tony Awards at the moment, and it dawned on me that maybe one reason why Clay is tiptoeing out of the closet is that he spent that time in Spamalot...dunno the real numbers, but most likely half the cast is gay. Probably the first time in his life he has publically been around a working group of folks with straights, gays, people in relationships, probably some gay couples with kids...who knows, but it is a true community, unlike groups of individuals, straight or gay who run the music biz. And obviously very unlike the conservative Christian white suburbs of North Carolina.

You know, I keep hearing about all these interviews where Clay talked about being family-friendly, etc. I don't recall him doing that more than a few times. The fans have obsessed about it way more than he has.

By the way, Bo Bice has also said that the thing he's proudest about in his shows is that it's family-friendly, that moms and dads can take their kids to see him because he's not dropping F-bombs all over the place.

ETA: Clay was at Spamalot tonight. He was with Jamie and Jerome and was wearing a plaid shirt and shorts. He had sunglasses in the v of his shirt. The person who saw him said his hair is a little darker now.

Oh, I so beg to differ Badger I have heard Clay talk about being family friendly and being a good role model to kids many times. I know because it started to make be cringe he said it so much because you just know when you try to put yourself up on that "be so good" pedestal there will be many people trying to knock you down. I think it is another reason the media goes after him.

I am glad he got to Hannah's last performance of Spamalot! I hope he had a great time! I am glad Jerome was there in case the paps tried to get in his face.

Personally, I would love a new "do" or a revert back to AIW hair! This has not been my fave look for him. A wee bit too blond and the style rather boring. Sometimes it looked great and other times not so much.

Frazz, Jaymes got preggers before he started in Spamalot so I don't think that had anything to do with it. Also, Clay didn't plan for this news to come out (not yet anyway). Someone got into the medical records and leaked it. So I do not see it as he is slowly coming out. I think people are trying to drag him out.

Disclaimer - that is if he is in the closet. I have no knowledge that he is. Just that the baby making with Jaymes has nudged me in that direction.

From a Korean Web Magazine


http://www.dosirak.com/Webzine/Webzine/WebzinePaper.asp?vol=31&paper=15&SSO=f

Quote :

dosirak:
Congratulations on your new album.You must have been busy with working on your album.Tell us what you have been doing recently.

Clay Aiken:
We just finished the musical on Broadway recently and we are now spending our time mainly on promoting the new album with TV appearances and interviews.

dosirak:
Your new album debuted at No.4 at Billboard chart.Congratulations.You must have a special feeling when you have a success with your every album.How do you feel?

Clay Aiken:
Who would not be glad about it? I feel already previledged to be able to keep doing the music and I'm so happy that people keep support me.

dosirak:
When I listen to the lyrics of your single 'On My Way Here', it seems like it is about your story last a few years. What does the song mean to you?

Clay Aiken:
We are educated at school but that is just a small part.We rather learn more from the experience in our lives. There is a saying 'If you give someone a fish,you're just giving him a meal for a day but if you teach him how to fish,you are giving him meals for rest of his life.' Every person you meet and every experience we go through in your life makes you who you are. This song is about learning from experience and becoming a wiser person.

dosirak:
Let's talk more about your album.Is there a favorite song on this album?

Clay Aiken:
I love most of the songs so it's hard to pick, but if I have to choose one, I want to choose 'As long as we're here'. This is the first song that made it for this album. Three years ago when tsunami hit Indonesia, I went there for the Unicef trip,the song was recorded after that. It talks about 'Do not worry about small things and let's just care about important things and people you love as there is limited time for us in the world'.

dosirak:
We heard that before the release of the album, everytime Claymates have parties.Did your fans hold the party this time?And what your fans mean to Clay?

Clay Aiken:
Claymates hold parties to celebrate the album release,not for me.Also,parties are held in various cities so I couldn't go there.I heard that many fans gather and have a great time. Of course,they mean a lot to me.Had it not been fans' support since American Idol,I would have not been here.

dosirak:
You're working as Unicef goodwill ambassador.Is there the most memorable moment as a Unicef ambassador?

Clay Aiken:
There are many.One of them is that when I went to Indonesia, people quickly restored their environments and had postivie attitudes despite dire situation.It was really touching.They are strong and brave people.It gave me an opportunity to reflect myself.I thought how blessed we are for being able to live day by day safely.
Also,the most impressive one is when I visited Afganistan.It was shocking to see people living without all the energy facilities for a long time and above all I felt really sad when I saw children suffering.However,they showed the power not to give up despite their situation.

dosirak:
Along with Unicef,you also established the Bubel/Aiken Foundation.What is your plan for the foundation this year?

Clay Aiken:
We try to make programs for children with disabilities to get along with children without disabilities so that they can experience the childhood that children without disabilities go through. This year,we plan to start summer camps and prepare a fund for future summer camps.

dosirak:What do you think of 2008 American Idol? Is there a contestant that can be as successful as you are?

Clay Aiken:
Unfortunately,I haven't watched American Idol for three years,so I don't know anything about contestants.

dosirak:
I guess you will tour after the album release,is there a plan?Plus,is there any plan to visit Korea.

Clay Aiken:
Personally,Korea is the country which I really want to visit.However,right now,there is no plan for the tour.We don't have a plan even for the US.I think that if I promote the album now,people will get interested and then other countries will get interested in me.So right now we try to concentrate on promoting the album.

dosirak:
Last request,please say hi to your fans in Korea

Clay Aiken:
It's always amazing and thankful that people listen to my song far away in Korea.Thank you so much to fans for likiing the music I like and
for continuing to support me since American Idol. But it's only a small part of me that was shown on American Idol. I want to show other parts of me more when I visit Korea.Until then,please keep listening to my music.Oh! Please spread words about me!

ITD, firecracker. While Clay has said he does a family-friendly show and he has said that being a good role model is important to him, it's not like he brings it up in nearly every interview. In fact, unless the interviewer brings it up, he generally steers clear of the subject.


Again, it is the fans who obsess over it, not Clay.

Well, we will have to agree to disagree

I don't think the fans would be obsessing over it if Clay hadn't made a big deal out being family friendly/role model in the first place.

Just my taste, of course, but I think he is an even better role model, the more he lives his life as who he is, which is a great humanitarian, who raises money and consciousness. As a father, my bet is that he will be loving and wonderful.

What is wrong with that as a role model?

Oh yeah...he is gay.

GREAT! That makes him an even better role model.

ANd having a kid with a partner you really, really, LIKE, because you want to raise that kid lovingly...another great thing!

I thought family-friendly meant that you didn't swear.

How has he become un family-friendly?

Well, it depends. Different people have different standards. Some folks REALLY like their role models to have a spouse of the opposite gender and babies conceived in the missionary position. Anything else, and they are really weirded out, at least. I'm fairly liberal and it took ME a couple of days to get used to this. Not so much because I might think it's immoral - I don't - but because it's.... kinda... weird. And weird is just unconventional, and something that is unconventional, but not harmful, can be worked out when you think it through for a minute.

But I'm fairly liberal, at least for Texas.

That is why I think Clay may just well be truly GREAT role model.

Most of the celebrities who are gay, even the philanthropists, like Elton John, are just too flamboyant to be considered mainstream role models.

Clay is a nice, polite, religious, fellow, who does outstandingly good works socially.

Even early on he did say something regarding a few issues that were doctrinaire American-Conservative-Christian that he disagreed with (I took it to be about some Christians believing homosexuality to be an abomination, rather than thinking God allowed, or even promoted a permanent segment of all people and animals being homosexual for a reason).

Inching the ones who can't cope with the idea of a gay person being really great and otherwise mainstream may ultimately be his role. He is inching into it himself.

Well, this did occur to me: the idea of a prominent GAY devout Christian who really loves the Lord, works hard to do His work , and is a great father to his children (and partner to the baby mama) might be a great thing.

What if, instead of being a traditional moral role model, he ended up being a courageous trail blazer?

I will say this, though: on most of the mainstream boards I go to, Clay's situation is regarded as kind of creepy. I really think he may have put his foot in it this time.

My AI favorites are kinda falling like flies. I thought Clay was the one I could count on. Right now the most promising one is...

JASON???!!!

ooops... Abrahammy edited, so I need to quote the part I am replying to!

Here:

Quote :

Well, this did occur to me: the idea of a prominent GAY devout Christian who really loves the Lord, works hard to do His work , and is a great father to his children (and partner to the baby mama) might be a great thing.

What if, instead of being a traditional moral role model, he ended up being a courageous trail blazer?

That is what my heart thinks.

My brain does, too, but my brain always meant it. my heart is now engaged.

Frazz, I agree with you! I think he can be a great role model for Gays (if he is one and comes out) I hope if he is gay that he does come out and is a good role model for gays.

The issue for me, and the reason we got talking about the role model thing, is that I feel Clay put himself is a sticky situation by making a big deal out of being a good Christian (he wore that WWJD bracelet for years) and being a very clean artist, family friendly, role model, etc. Those comments created this image of him, and garnered him many devoted fans who were looking for that type of artist. That is why Clay has Christian boards. So now, sadly, for the fans who were devoted to him for being "their" idea of a good Christian role model, are struggling and will struggle with the fact that Clay is gay and having children out of wedlock. There are most certainly people who have issues with gay and out of wedlock children. "They" are not going to see Clay as a family friendly, good Christian role model. There are people who find both being gay and having children out of wedlock sinful. Not that they are right, but they do feel that way. Most people I know still think a couple should get married once they decide to have children. I have a cousin with 9 grandchildren. Of those 9 only 2 come from a married couple. The other 7 come from couples who live together but are not married. My cousin is extremely upset by that fact. She was cool with them living together, but once they started having kids she felt they should marry.

So while I agree that he can be a different kind of good role model from the conservative Christian role model, the issue is going to be that he falsely portrayed a certain image. I think it would have been easier for him to be a good gay role model if he had either been openly gay from the get-go (if he is) or had he not stressed the good Christian boy image in the first place.

Also sadly, a lot of gays don't like him because they think he is closeted (not that I think that should be their business but they do) so perhaps now may be too late for them to look up to him or admire him. I hope most can get past that though and see the good he does.

I also agree that he really will make a great father. I certainly always thought Clay would be a full time dad and live with his children, but we will have to wait and see just how this situation turns out.

Aren't Clay and Jaymes already sharing a house?

Nobody knows for sure. It was reported that when Clay is in L.A. he stays at her Santa Monica place. He still has his home in NC and her main house is in Canada. I heard there is a rumor that his house is on the market, but I have no idea if that is true.

I might be missing a genuine point, so please do tell me:

If Clay is gay (and I believe 100% he is), AND a devout Christian, AND wants to be a loving father (and I 100% believe he will be a great and loving one), AND does not want to upset the people who have overly narrow views about what counts as a good human and good role model (my view and prejudice), not necessarily his)....

What would the people want? For him to lie to a straight young marriageable women so to have kids with her?

For him NOT to have kids, even though he really will likely nurture kids to be great adults?

I do understand they want him to be a virgin sexually(just as, UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLY-- people thought Constantine was a nice Greek Boy Virgin waiting for a nice virginal wife)...wanting him not, ever, to have sex, with anybody, except with them in their adulterous dreams....

Is that kind of them? In my view, no.

If Clay is on this earth to take that particular core constituency and make them just ever so slightly more accepting that reality does not match their fearful version of how-things-should-be they have in their heads, and that they can, indeed love people not exactly like them, then he has done (will do..may take decades or centuries) a very, very, great thing.

If anything, I do not think Clay should bother himself at all about being a role model specifically to GAY kids.

The good he can do as a gay man with a heart, intelligence, and willingness to do god works(god works" was a typo, I meant good works, but i am leaving the original as is) might best manifest in being a role model for kids who are straight but too narrow. Adults, too, particularly those fans who are now horrified by him.

Well, like I said, I agree with you. But sadly there are always going to be people who find certain lifestyles wrong and sinful and I doubt anything we or Clay say would change that. Gays have come a long way and probably will continue too. But you are never going to get through to certain people. Just like you will never get through to a white supremacist . Some are just extremely set in their beliefs.

I don't think the overly religious fans of Clay's wanted him to lie to a girl, etc. I think they wanted him to be what he portrayed himself to be early on in his career. He may have just changed, but those fans no doubt haven't.

don't know much about how he portrayed himself...did he say he wanted to meet a nice girl or woman or female? Or did he just say he wanted to be married and have kids (or did he just say he wanted to have kids)?