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Clay Aiken remembers when “Idol” was about the contestants – and not the judges and their drama
Leave it to Clay Aiken to tell it like it is.
This spring will mark 10 years ago that Clay was launched to stardom after finishing as runner-up on American Idol.
He’s one of the show’s biggest breakout stars along with Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry.
But Clay doesn’t expect to be invited back to mark the 10 year anniversary of his season.
‘I don’t know that I would commemorate it on the show,’ he tells Billboard.com. ‘I don’t know that they did it with Justin Guarini and all those folks. But ‘Idol’ back in those days was about the contestants. Kelly (Clarkson) and Justin and Tamyra (Gray) and Nikki McKibbin, they were all the stars of the show. And when I was on, Ruben (Studdard) and myself and Kimberly Locke were the stars of the show.’
He has noticed a shift from those early days when Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson were the longtime trio of judges.
Since then, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler have come and gone and most of the upcoming season’s media coverage has focused on a feud between new judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj.
‘Now Idol is about the judges,’ says Aiken. ‘I don’t even know if they remember there are contestants anymore.’
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
Sal says:
Agree 100% with Clay. I started watching part way through season two when I heard all of the Clay/Ruben buzz. For a few years after that I watched and found myself rooting for those talented contestants. Finally gave it up when it became all about the judges.
I have a feeling that Clay Aiken will still be going strong long after that show is off the air. I just saw him in concert for his Joyful Noise 2012 Christmas tour. His voice is better than ever and he really engages and entertains the audience with his quick wit.
Bev says:
I haven’t watched Idol since 2005 either. So glad I watched when I did because I’ve become a big fan of Clay’s. Not only are the judges the stars now, but the contestants are all mostly ringers too. The whole premise has been lost.
Cookie0 says:
I have to agree with all of the comments. Idol isn’t about the contestants anymore and most of the contestants aren’t amateurs. I haven’t watched either since I’m not interested in any of the judges. Clay Aiken is the best entertainer that Idol produced and I’m not even sure if they’re aware. Not that it matters, he WILL be singing and entertaining long after Idol is gone.
Flo says:
I really agree with Clay on the judges on American Idol. It seems like all they have been trying to do is get the most well known stars to be a judge on Idol..because it is a competition with the other Talent Shows that are on the air today. Clay, in my opinion, is the best person to come off that show. I attended his JNT12 Christmas show in November in Clearwater, Florida, and it was amazing. He will be around longer than American Idol, by the looks of things.