Clay Aiken Stars on ANTM

AMERICAN IDOLS STAR CLAY AIKEN IS A GUEST JUDGE IN THE EPISODE The girls are surprised to learn they will be working opposite Clay Aiken during an acting challenge.? Cycle 11 winner, McKey, stops by to offer support while the girls prepare for their CoverGirl commercial .

Clay Aiken Says, “I’m Gay”. The Whole World Yawns.

In this week’s issue of People, former American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken comes out to us all, and confesses that he’s gay. Unless you have been living under a rock, this was not a bombshell. Did he think we all thought he was straight up until this week?

It’s always anti-climactic when someone in the public eye fesses up to something that people have been talking about for years. His motivation for coming out is that he has to set an example for his child now that he is a father.

“I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn’t raised that way, and I’m not going to raise a child to do that,” the new father told People. That is a respectable decision.

Clay Aiken is Makin’ Babies

According to TMZ.com , American Idol alumnus Clay Aiken has made a baby, but not in the old-fashioned, fun way.

The website reports that Clay has artificially inseminated his 50-year old BFF, record producer Jaymes Foster. She is the sister of record mogul David Foster. Apparently the two are so tight that he stays at her house when he is in L.A. But clearly not tight enough for a little chika-womp-womp.

The little bundle of Clay is due to make it’s appearance some time in August. And word is that Clay intends to have an active role in raising the baby.

AMERICAN IDOL ELIMINATION SHOW 4-23-08

Tonight our six finalists will discover who ends up in the bottom two this week, and which one will eventually go home.  After last night’s performances of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway classics from the likes of Evita and Phantom of the Opera, there should be a few predictable performances slated to be on the chopping block.  Namely, Brooke White, who stopped and started for the second time last night, followed by a very under-whelming performance, and Jason Castro, who whispered his way through yet another performance.  He’s been mediocre at best for the last month or so.  But everyone else, honestly, was pretty good.  The Davids, Archuleta and Cook, did very well, respectively. Syesha and Carly were both phenomenal.  So, we’ll see.

Surprisingly, miraculously, amazingly, Brooke is safe and Syesha is in the bottom two once again.  This season is getting ridiculous; nothing makes sense.  But it’s okay.  Even if Syesha is voted off, as we’ve seen with past AI alumni like Tamyra Gray and Clay Aiken, there is life after American Idol, a good life at that.  She’ll be okay.

Next inducted into the bottom two is, wonder of all wonders: Carly Smithson.  She gave a phenomenal performance last night and has absolutely no business in the bottom two, with Syesha Mercado of all people.  And the one going home is Carly Smithson, our Irish songbird whose voice is ten times better than several of the six finalists left onstage.  But, like several of the alumni from past seasons who also didn’t take the top honors, she too will be fine.  Carly Smithson – you will be missed.

American Idol News Bites & Gossip

- According to an interview that Blake Lewis gave radio station WAPE in Jacksonville, Florida, Sanjaya Malakar was put through with his sister because they thought that it would be “cute” to have a brother and sister on. When, he was cut later on, they decided to give him another chance, expecting that he would be cut before making it to the actual show.

- Some ex-Idols have a bone to pick: Kelly Clarkson is upset that songs from her CD were leaked before the album was actually finished, and Carrie Underwood is annoyed when the media ask questions about her break up with Chace Crawford.

- David Archeleta’s voice coach calls in several times a day from Salt Lake City to take him through voice exercises. Is that cheating?

- Danny Noriega is working on his own YouTube channel. Why?

-There’s an article in USA Today about former Idol contestant Nikki McKibbin, who talks about her lastest album, and how she literally took a swing at reality tv diva Omarosa.

-Unlike last season, where they didn’t want the elimination of a contestant ruin the “feel good” vibe of Idol Gives Back, this week somebody’s going home.

- Always and forever a diva, Randy Jackson’s buddy Mariah Carey taped her Idol Gives Back segment rocking a blinging microphone.

- Clay Aiken’s new cd, On My Way Here is set to drop on May 6:

- And finally, Miley Cyrus admitted to OK! magazine that she has never seen American Idol:
“I think it’s something you have to really get into from the beginning and I just don’t have time!”
Yeah, because if you miss a show, you won’t have a clue why these people are singing. What does she think it is; LOST?
Miley will be performing on Idol Gives Back, but I’m pretty sure she doesn’t know why.

Idol Camp Scholarship This Summer

Do you have a little one at home who you know has talent but isn’t yet old enough to try out for American Idol? Well there no need to worry because now your child can get an early start on the fame train with American Idol Summer Camp.

Usually the camp is held in Massachusettes but this year they’re heading west to Lake Arrowhead, California.  The camp is for kids ages 10-15 and runs from June 15th – August 23rd with five two week intensive training sessions running during that time span.

One of the bonuses for reading this article means that you’ll have a chance to win the “Kimberly Caldwell Scholarship.” If 15 or more applicants fan’s or friends of Kimberly sign up they’ll be in the running to win the scholarship. Also Kimberly will be making an appearance at the camp from July 16-17. If this interest you ACT FAST because spot are filling up rapidly.

Go to www.idolcamp.com to apply.