AfterElton.com: Did you ever imagine five years ago that you’d be here tonight presenting at the GLAAD Media Awards?
Clay Aiken: You know, I don’t know. I don’t plan my life out in advance. So it’s great to be here and to be part of an event and an organization that does what GLAAD does … I don’t know where I’m gonna be next week, much less what I was doing 5 years ago.
AE: Have you been watching Idol?
CA: No, haven’t watched it in years. The season where Fantastia won was the last one I watched regularly.
AE: There’s a contestant who’s doing very well this season who has been the subject of lots of speculation on the Internet in regards to his sexuality. As someone who’s been through that, do you have any advice on making through the experience?
CA: I wouldn’t have any advice for one person in particular. I think it’s important to be yourself, and you have to be authentic and you have to make sure you’re not trying to be something you’re not. I don’t know who you’re talking about, but anybody who’s on the show has to be authentic and sing things that are true to themselves. You know, don’t try to be a pop star if you can’t sing this type of music. Do what comes to you organically, and that generally helps people.
AE: Did you feel it was a “no gay zone” while you were there?
CA: No, not at all. No. Not at all. Everybody who’s ever worked on the show who I’ve worked with in the past knew before I made any announcement or anything, so it’s always been a very embracing environment over there.
When asked if he thought America was ready for an out American Idol, he replied, “Well, they’ve been pretty nice to me.”
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