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Clay Aiken: ‘I Haven’t Watched Idol In Three Years’

The season 2 runner-up gets candid with Us about NYC living, his long-awaited fourth album, and those, ahem, Claymates

From the moment he transformed from that geeky North Carolina special needs teacher to the American Idol superstar that swiveled his hips for 30 million TV viewers, Clay Aiken has barely stopped to take a breath. Having just concluded a four-month stint on Broadway in Monty Python’s Spamalot, the 29-year-old performer quickly set his sights on another lofty goal – releasing his fourth disc in five years. Here, the performer chats with Us about the motives behind his new record, city living, and his thoughts on the evolution of American Idol.

Us: Having spent the last few months in New York City, did your new perspective on city living impact the recording process?
Aiken: I didn’t write the stuff, so it’s not horribly, horribly personal. We found songs that I related to more lyrically than we have in the past. Your experiences kind of define you as you grow older, and I thought well, you know what? In your 20s, people tend to [transition]. When you get out of college and get your first job and you move out into the real world, if you want to call it that, that’s when you have to learn about yourself most. A lot of things have changed in my life in the past five years, and I think some things that might have affected me, some things that I might have experienced, other people might have [had] similar experiences. The [songs we chose] really speak to the human condition and the experiences that make you who you are.

Us: How has your maturity changed now that you’re approaching 30?
Aiken: The last thing that I’m implying with this album is that I have changed or matured in a more mature way than anybody else, and that’s something that I’m hesitant to assume or imply, because I think everybody grows no matter what your job is. I just have a different job than all my friends. [With age], you kind of learn the importance of figuring out who you are and understanding the role that other people play in your life, whether it be romantically, professionally or with family. Five years ago, I still didn’t know that this was what I wanted to do. Was I happy with the fact that I’m constantly recognized when I go places? Did I want to go back to teaching? That was uncomfortable for me, and now, after doing it for awhile, I kind of [feel] more comfortable in my skin.

Us: Are your fans, the Claymates, receptive still when they see you? What’s it like dealing with them as you’ve grown?
Aiken: For a while, I was so taken aback by it that I would be frightened sometimes. I realize that I’m here because of these people who have supported me and put me here, and so why be afraid of that? It’s always gonna be a little unnerving when you walk out and people are screaming your name, but I’ve accepted that this is my life now. I used to have moments – and still do - when I’d think to myself ‘holy crap. I live in Los Angeles. I own my own house. Or, I’m living in New York by myself. I’m on Broadway.’ Now things have started to become real.

Us: Fans will hear some of those emotions on On My Way Here is the song “Ashes,” which is rather melancholy.
Aiken: When “Ashes” was first presented to us, it was even more so and we did not want that all. We actually sent it back and said ‘can you change the lyrics and make it not so depressing or angst-ridden?’ We even contemplated a few times making it the first track on the album, because the first line of the song is “Someone told me what doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger” and so it’s one of those lessons that my mom taught me for years and years. When people may try to make you look bad or feel bad, but the truth is, you have two choices: you can let it work, or you can say kiss my foot, and rise up from the ashes, and basically that’s what that song talks about.

Us: Also included on the album is your first writing attempt, “Lover All Alone.” Are you apprehensive about how your first songwriting effort will be received?
Aiken: If I thought I was any good at it, I’d be worried [laughter] but it’s not an aspiration of mine to be a songwriter. It’s just something that I did. If [fans] like it, great. If they don’t, it’s OK. It’s not like I’m hoping they’ll like it so I can do an entire album of my own stuff next time. The fans have known that song for two years now - it was on the last album - and they’ve been very receptive. That’s [one of the] reasons it’s on this one, because they liked it enough apparently that we were kind of implored to put it on.

Us: Lastly, have you been keeping up with Idol this season??
Aiken: I haven’t watched it in three years. Not once. I’ll say this: I do believe that Idol was very organic and innocent when Kelly [Clarkson], me and Fantasia were on the show those [first] three years, but I think one of the reasons that people really latched onto it was because it gave the kid next door a chance to be a star, and I’ll leave it at that. The club has gotten bigger and bigger, and now I can’t...[name] more than two or three of them.

BY ALLISON CORNEAU