Truth Rules

A blog for fans of Clay Aiken. It may take a while but in the end, truth will win out over lies. Keep it clean, no threats ... and if I don't like what you say I own the delete key.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Clay Aiken: Fact or fiction?

Broadway.TV wrote a very nice article about Clay Aiken and pointed out that "‘Clay Aiken’ is a household name. And more often than not, negative press is the press that is printed. Be it fact or fiction." If you pay attention to the number of articles written, one of Clay's trips for UNICEF might get a couple of dozen press mentions but if he accidentally bumped into someone there would be hundreds of mentions all over the globe. Gossip bloggers would pick it up, add their own salacious spin to the story, and go on and on about that for months afterwards and, just in case you forgot, they would be sure to report the story again in their year end wrap ups. These same gossip magazines and bloggers have no qualms about reporting pure fiction as fact either.

With that in mind lets take a look back at 2008 and what is verifiable fact when it comes to what Clay has done this past year.

Starting with Januay, Clay organized the first annual "Golfing for Inclusion" tournament and dinner to benefit the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, held at the Mirasol Country Club in Palm Beach, FL. PGA Professional Wayne Player was there hosting along with Clay and gave lessons.

From there Clay hopped a plane to New York City to rehearse for his role as Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot. He made his Broadway debut on January 18th. In addition to performing in 8 shows a week, Clay spent his days in the recording studio recording his new album. He also made time to help out with the fund raisers for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Clay ended his Spamalot run on May 4th and his album, On My Way Here was released on May 6th. After previewing the album on QVC and some NY appearances Clay headed out to LA for more album promo with appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

June 1st Clay sang the song Sarah from the musical "The Civil War" during a gala for the Ford Theatre attended by President Bush and first lady Laura Bush. He was hounded by paparazzi because of a story TMZ posted claiming he was going to be a father but more on that later. This is one of the gossip items that was picked up by hundreds of media sites all over the world.

At the end of June, Clay left on another mission for UNICEF. This time to Somalia and Kenya. Sadly, only a handful of media sites bothered to report on this visit. The links to Clay's field notes for this trip were posted here.

On August 8th Clay announced on his official blog that Jaymes Foster had given birth to their son, Parker Foster Aiken and that both mom and baby were doing fine. Clay's announcement put an end to the speculation caused by the TMZ story that broke at the end of May. It also sent shockwaves all over but set the gossip sites to salivating for more negative press. You could imagine them sitting there rubbing their hands together with glee waiting to see how many of Clay's fans would desert him.

Clay returned to Broadway to reprise his role playing Sir Robin in Spamalot in September. He said that because of Parker he wanted to be in one spot rather than traveling all over the country in a tour bus. He wrote on his blog that he and Jaymes were trying to figure out the best way to introduce Parker and on September 26th they did. On the cover of People magazine, with the headline "Yes, I'm Gay". Besides the interview he did with People he also appeared on Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer. He talked about Jaymes and Parker and although unconventional they are a family. The sad part is that so many, even recently CNN, insist on referring to Jaymes as a surrogate and ignore the fact that Clay and Jaymes are raising their child together.

Clay was back in Raleigh for a few days in October for his Champions for Change gala for the Bubel/Aiken Foundation. They reported raising $500,000.00. Then it was back to NYC and Spamalot with Jaymes and Parker. He was a guest at the Friar's Club Roast of Matt Lauer and took some ribbing there.

On November 26 he appeared with Rosie O'Donnell on her Rosie Live Special. Thanksgiving morning he visited The Early Show's Dave Price and Maggie Rodriguez during their coverage of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS. He also did an interview with Jann Carl of Entertainment Tonight which they split into several segments and aired on several different dates.


Clay Aiken told People magazine in a December interview that the birth of his son Parker was the most important event of his year and his life. He joined with other UNICEF ambassadors for their 12 Days of Christmas blogs. Clay's blog posted on Christmas Day. He filmed a segment about his foundation with Geraldo Rivera for his show The Waiting List which aired on the FNC network. To top off the year, Clay's caricature was drawn and presented to him by the owner of Sardi's in New York City. It now hangs on the their wall.


Clay's last day in Spamalot is January 4th and then it's back home to North Carolina with Jaymes and Parker for some well deserved Daddy time.




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13 Comments:

Blogger jbc4clay said...

Very good blog, Truth. Busy man!
I would be amazed if more than a handful would pick up his UNICEF trips. Also if they would call Jaymes, Parker's mother instead of a surrogate or a vessel.

December 29, 2008 7:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Truth, what a great year end recap. Clay Aiken sure stays busy. The man wears me out just reading about him.

I love all that he does for his foundation to help individuals with special needs and his work with UNICEF.

His new album is his best yet and I can't wait to see what he decides to do next. Thanks for the blog.

outback

December 29, 2008 7:58 PM  
Blogger WRU said...

The good stories are the truth.

Clay is a special man who I love more and more every day!

wru

December 29, 2008 8:03 PM  
Blogger SueReu said...

Thanks Truth! Clay has had an amazing year!

From his heart came TBAF, UNICEF and Broadway Cares. From his voice came Spamalot and the amazing On My Way Here. and FOR HIM came Parker and Jaymes.

2008 was an incredible year and I am looking forward to what 2009 has to bring.

December 29, 2008 10:31 PM  
Blogger Truth Rules said...

"From his heart came TBAF, UNICEF and Broadway Cares. From his voice came Spamalot and the amazing On My Way Here. and FOR HIM came Parker and Jaymes."

Absolutely.

December 30, 2008 9:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Clay certainly did give a very exciting 2008 with lots of special
surprizes ... cannot wait to see
what happens in 2009!

December 30, 2008 12:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wonderful blog Truth!! When it is the truth it just flows. I am very proud to be a fan.

December 30, 2008 4:53 PM  
Blogger Deona said...

Great blog and a wonderful review of the year for Clay. He does so much and yet receives less recognition than he should for all his achievements.

December 31, 2008 11:51 AM  
Blogger Dianne Barbee said...

Truth,

Excellent blog and wonderful look back at 2008!

Too bad the media does not cover the good news and charitable endeavors of Clay Aiken, a very special man. Guess that's where we come in.

Happy New Year!

Caro

December 31, 2008 12:19 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wish the press see what we see instead of publishing crap. Truth, this is a wonderful recap on everything Clay Aiken and the amazing man he is.

Thanks for the blog and Happy New Year!

kimfreeuk

December 31, 2008 2:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Grast blog, Truth. Thanks for compiling all of Clay's 2008 accomplishments. The man never stops! (Thankfully!) He should be getting positive press coverage for all the good he does, but the mainstream media has become a swamp, filled with sensationalism and gossip. Makes me sick.

Here's looking forward to 2009 and all that Clay has planned for himself, his career and humanitarian efforts.

December 31, 2008 8:42 PM  
Blogger Jannet said...

He seriously does more in a year than most people do in a lifetime! He simply makes my head swirl!... and yes still, my girly parts.

December 31, 2008 9:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

TRUTH RULES!
We now know the truth that he is gay, let's hope more truth is revealed this year!

January 03, 2009 1:25 AM  

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