Clay Aiken Gets Pissy With Newsweek

Clay Aiken has changed a lot since the cute little dork with a makeover who won over our hearts during Idol. But now, he's got a lot to say if you cross him, and it ain't too nice.

Clay did an interview with Newsweek, and the reporter started out by asking Clay how rehearsals were going for Spamalot. But when she started in on his personal life, Clay went all diva on her.

Here's part of the interview:

How did you get into a fight with that lady on a plane?
I'm not going to talk about it.

I was just curious because you've never talked about it. I did talk about it.

What about the Kelly Ripa thing?
I'm not going to discuss it.

Did you think it was homophobic?
I'm not going to discuss it.

What do you want to talk about?
I think we're done.

Can we talk about something fun?
No, we're done. I thought NEWSWEEK would be more reputable. I'm surprised.

But I think people are curious about it.
It was a year ago. This is NEWSWEEK. It's not the National Enquirer. I'd hate to have a job where I had to be rude to people.

We're just having a conversation.
Change the subject! I'd never take a job where I had to do something that I didn't want to do.

What about all those Ford commercials on "American Idol"?
That wasn't a job.

It was part of your job.

It wasn't a Ford commercial. It was a music video. It was a completely different thing.

I'll change the subject. What do you do for fun?

I watch the news. I read news magazines, but I'm reconsidering that now.

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Comments

Bitchy little thing, ain't he?

Posted by: Narcissus on 01/12/2008 10:34 AM

I think he had every right to respond as he did. It was a year ago, and it is Newsweek. Ask something pertinent. Grow up !

Posted by: JH on 01/12/2008 10:43 AM

What a little bitch, he's no good at what he does anyways, his music sound so fruity.

Posted by: me on 01/12/2008 11:02 AM

It's about time someone tells off these idiots whomasquerade as reporters. And they get paid for this?

Posted by: Linda on 01/12/2008 11:10 AM

We don't have the whole picture here, only what this so-called reporter wanted us to see. Plus, you didn't even include the entire first half of the article. Why not? That Ripa thing was over a year ago. Who cares about that now? Move on. Clay had every right not to discuss it. If we didn't hear his tone of voice, we don't know if he was "pissy" or not. I'll bet if this were George Cloony, no one would say it was pissy.

Posted by: Madeline on 01/12/2008 11:14 AM

He isn't the only celebrity who has gotten mad at this reporter. You would think he worked for Nat'l Enquirer. Thought Newsweek had better class then this. Glad Clay stood his ground.

Posted by: tkk on 01/12/2008 11:14 AM

It's about time! Celebs put up with real crap. This guy has just completed a very news worthy trip for UNICEF, has a successful foundation and he is about to debut his comedic talent. Asking tabloidish questions that are over a year old by a news media mag? They deserved the whipping. No respect begets no respect! I guess Clay isn't that whimp that he he made out to be. You rock, Clay!!

Posted by: gilda on 01/12/2008 11:15 AM

I don't see what the big deal is. The guy brought up old news in an attempt to get a reaction and he got one. Wasn't the Kelly Ripa thing like two years ago?

Posted by: Kendra on 01/12/2008 11:35 AM

Seems to me Newsweek's reporter was at fault here. I think the definitive words are "News" and "Week". The questions he was asking Clay happened over a year ago and it is obvious this reporter just wanted to get a reaction from Clay. Why didn't the reporter ask about real news...like about Clay's trip over the holidays to Mexico to work with the children affected by the flooding there? Now there is a newsworthy topic. Or how about the very successful Golfing For Inclusion Tournament that Clay's foundation, The Bubel Aiken Foundation, just had to raise money for summer camps for the inclusion of children with disabilities? Or about the CD he is working on that will have all new songs on it and is due out hopefully by the summer. Why did he choose these other unimportant topics? What kind of a journalist is this anyway? Seems like Newsweek needs to change their name to "Newsweak". And hurray for Clay for his appropriate replies to inappropriate questions. Clay's no diva as someone accused him, he's just very smart.

Posted by: JD on 01/12/2008 12:01 PM

Ooops, forgot to say in my previous post that Clay traveled to Mexico for UNICEF to work with those children.

Posted by: JD on 01/12/2008 12:03 PM

Clay is an ass. He chose to be in the public light and he knew exactly what he was getting himself into. He never really responded to any of these topics in the past, so it makes sense that a reporter would give it a shot. Granted we only see a snippet of the interview, it's fairly obvious that Clay overreacted.

Posted by: Princess on 01/12/2008 12:28 PM

LOL Gayken gets bitchy when you ask him the hard questions! LOL

Posted by: mentholated on 01/12/2008 12:31 PM

I think he had every right to get defensive. Those were idiotic questions to ask, things that have already been covered in the media. I don't understand why people would get paid to ask the same stupid questions that were asked a year ago. I would have gotten defensive too.

Posted by: Melissa on 01/12/2008 02:31 PM

If he did not want to answer questions then he should have cancelled the interview.

Posted by: La Chat on 01/12/2008 03:34 PM

Good for Clay, He already did answer those questions. The reporter couldn't think of anything else to ask him except about things that happened a year ago? He should quit and go work for the Enquirer, He's more their style. I love pissy Clay

Posted by: RK on 01/12/2008 04:16 PM

Comment from Melissa: "If he did not want to answer questions then he should have cancelled the interview." My Reply: Clay did answer several questions before the guy turned the interview into questions from the past Clay preferred not to answer. Clay didn't know what questions he would be asked, and he assumed Newsweek would have more class than that. And Clay did pretty much end the interview after that. He told the guy "We're done". Since when are reporters entitled to have every question they ask answered? I wish more people would do just as Clay did. Maybe the media would change their tune then.

Posted by: JER on 01/12/2008 04:27 PM

RK...When you are in that business you will be asked question over and over again. If he can not handle it then he needs to go into another business. Besides he should not be pissy at all he's still a no one. He really did not make himself into anything great after American Idol he needs to get over himself.

Posted by: La Chat on 01/12/2008 04:32 PM

Three cheers for Clay to exercise his right to not bow to the media and their gratitous questions that are designed to get readers. Clay has put up with so much undeserved crap over the years. And shame on Newsweek for feeling the need to have one of its staff take such a tabloidesque approach to an interview.

Posted by: Susan on 01/12/2008 05:24 PM

I don't blame Clay for getting tired of the same old stupid questions! He answered the first few very nicely but when they turned to the same old crap he was done. Did the interviewer ask him about his recent trip to Mexico for Unicef? Did the interviewer ask him about his foundation for children with disabilities? Did the interviewer ask him about his new album? If the press is going to do a good interview, ask something intelligent, not rehash old news.

Posted by: sarah on 01/12/2008 08:30 PM

You Go Clay!!! It would be a nice change if the interviwers would ask pertinent and interesting questions instead of the same old re-hashed crap, innuendos and lies. Way to go Clay and knock em dead on Broadway!

Posted by: Lynn on 01/12/2008 08:33 PM

Oh and by the way, I have met him and he was nothing but gracious and kind. And yes, he does not have much patience for stupidity.

Posted by: sarah on 01/12/2008 08:33 PM

JER... 5 million CD's 9 tours Best seller book Presidential appointee UNICEF Ambassador Created own Foundation TV specials Countless TV performances Broadway performer (soon) etc. etc. etc. ...yeah...nothing! What planet you living on?

Posted by: Lynn on 01/12/2008 08:46 PM

If the interview was supposed to be about his Broadway appearance, then why did the reporter ask such stupid questions? He didn't do his homework, pure and simple. Aiken had every right to not answer.

Posted by: Beth on 01/12/2008 09:24 PM

You go Clay. Newsweek has turned into trash like the rest of the media. Best of Luck in Spamalot and looking forward to the new CD!!!!

Posted by: April on 01/12/2008 09:54 PM

This guy is cute. Seems saw him before on a celebrity and millionaire dating site called " wealthybeauty.com" .

Posted by: vicky on 01/12/2008 10:04 PM

Bravo Clay. It's about time someone set them straight. Who really cares about all the stuff? Why is Britney Spears a household name. When she ends up like Anna Nicole Smith, and these idiots caused it, then what will they say? You go Clay. Good luck in Spamalot and I hope RCA lets you do the CD you want this time. I love Clay's voice.

Posted by: Gia on 01/12/2008 10:50 PM

i'm a clay fan no matter what. :)

Posted by: kristie on 01/13/2008 12:01 AM

People who ask such stupid questions aren't journalists, they are vultures (Is this what they went to school for? If this is their dream job, how sad). I'm tired of the garbage that we get fed by the reporters and photographers and glad Clay responded as he did.

Posted by: Lou on 01/13/2008 02:14 AM

I can understand why Clay would not want to discuss those two topics. Neither the plane incident nor his misstep with Kelly Ripa were particularly good moments for Clay. Why would he want to dwell on events which made him look bad. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he is still very bitter about his handling of the Ripa incident, as up until that point he was dropping major hints about wanting to host his own talk show. Those dreams went up in flames when he flopped so spectacularly on Regis and Kelly. I think his continual bitterness over the situation is why he has yet to offer any sort of official apology, or at least statement clarifying his side of the tale. Still, if you are in the public eye, you've got to learn to expect to be asked questions that may deal with the less successful parts of your life, so it would be in Clay's best interest to find a better way of handling such questions, than to get all snippy and diva-esque, which honestly does him no favors, and turns off readers who might otherwise be sympathetic.

Posted by: April on 01/13/2008 11:52 AM

Someone commented that because you're in the public eye or a performer, you have to field these issues over and over, and if you can't handle it, you don't belong in the business. Says who? You don't sell your soul because you are an entertainer. And you really don't owe anyone anything except a good performance. Clay is a total class act. He's usually a great interview, but doesn't suffer fools or participate in sophmoric discussions. He's just too intelligent for that. Clay expected more from a Newsweek reporter as he should have--than turning this into a rehash of old boring tabloid stuff Clay's addressed before. If a reporter can be so idiotic as to bring up these type of questions to Clay, Clay had every right to react the way he did. God Bless this gorgeous talent wonderful man--I admire him more and more! And by the way--he did handle it--just fine in my book!

Posted by: carol on 01/13/2008 03:45 PM

Good for Clay. Respected journalists wouldn't ask for old news.

Posted by: Deb on 01/13/2008 06:25 PM

BRAVO Clay! Shame on Newsweek.

Posted by: afan on 01/13/2008 07:44 PM

Is Clay Aiken such a hot topic that this story deserves to be recycled on every blog on the internet? I'm sure the guy probably regrets he ever heard the word 'Newsweek"!!

Posted by: A Blog Reader on 01/13/2008 08:40 PM

Good gosh, Newsweek has turned trashy tabloid. What is next? Dissapointed in the interviewer and Newsweek for letting the man speak for the paper. I feel that if anyone is engaged in good things, whether or not you are a reporter, report on the good things and leave the past alone. It is trashy to bring up the past without knowledge of what is truly going on. JJ

Posted by: JJ on 01/13/2008 09:25 PM

Some moron here said Clay's talk show aspirations went up in flames after Ripa? LOL! You couldn't be more wrong. Ask ABC & King World.... I know for a fact that his show is in the early stages of development right now. Idiot.

Posted by: sam on 01/16/2008 01:29 AM

Well gee , now does Justin Timberlake have to answer questions about the Micky Mouse Club or his marriage with Britney still? How about Christina A. why aren't reporters asking her to sing M I C K E Y ?? Of course you are going to have to be prepared for tough questions but not the same ones to which he has answered ad nasium already . I would think the interviewer would pay attention to their subject and ask up-to-date questions like good reporters do! He could have asked about his role in Spamalot , or how about the fact that in the five years since Clay Aiken has been on the scene he has managed to raise over a million $$$$ for philenthropic causes i.e. his BUBEL/AIKEN foundation and UNICEF!! How about asking how his 10th concert tour did ? He is managing quite well putting on 2 concerts a year !! Clay also raised over $300,000 for his foundation when appearing on ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER!...the silly interviewer could have asked Clay about any one of those things , but this dude like many other uncaring twerps with an angenda decided to be a shame to his profession !! He even asked about the silly "FORD" commercial in AI2 for goodness sakes !! I think Clay has the class needed to say he was not going to go in the direction the interviewer was headed !!! But of course like a dumb game of 'telephone' the true store gets spun in a multitude of directions and the haters come out of the woodwork !! GEEESH!

Posted by: Kayla on 01/16/2008 02:10 AM

****************************** I can understand why Clay would not want to discuss those two topics. Neither the plane incident nor his misstep with Kelly Ripa were particularly good moments for Clay. Why would he want to dwell on events which made him look bad. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he is still very bitter about his handling of the Ripa incident, as up until that point he was dropping major hints about wanting to host his own talk show. Those dreams went up in flames when he flopped so spectacularly on Regis and Kelly. I think his continual bitterness over the situation is why he has yet to offer any sort of official apology, or at least statement clarifying his side of the tale ***************************** MY RESPONSE: Sorry you could not be further from the truth! CLAY did appologize to Kelly and sent her flowers . And as far as his career is concerned Clay's is fine (people are knocking at HIS door) , I would tend to think Mis Ripicrite would be worried about hers !!!! (of course she could always go work with her buddy Howard Stern now huh?)

Posted by: Kayla on 01/16/2008 02:16 AM

How many times does he have to answer the same stupid questions? And I agree with him; Newsweek is supposed to be a news magazine, not a gossip rag.

Posted by: shmanny on 01/19/2008 03:55 PM

From a few of the very "middle school" remarks, some people haven't a clue about who Clay Aiken is. As with all bullies, bashing makes the bully feel better about himself. Get a clue and actually research Clay Aiken, and not from sleazy tabloids. When the airplane non-incident was all over the press, it rarely was reported that he had no idea what happened until he was hit by the woman. He responded that he was dismayed that this incident was given so much press and at the end of his comment, asked people to go to unicefusa.org Find out what's really important in our world. As a Unicef Ambassador and co-founder of Bubel/Aiken foundation, plus being appointed to a presidential committee for education and various other charities, Clay knows what really matters. Yet there are so many who find it fun to take pot-shots at him, perpetuating the idiotic gay rumors which he has denied in the past and now refuses to even comment, saying that people will believe what they want to believe. He knows who he is and that's what matters. The man not only has a heart of gold and is very caring, but he's well regarded by those who matter. Mike Nicholas, David Foster and others in the entertainment industry have gotten to know him and think highly of him. As to the tabloid articles and lowlifes who continue to make fun of him, you're all a joke. Mr. Aiken is an intelligent man who will not be manipulated, which is why he refused to answer that persons tabloid-like questions. Nothing pissy about that. I'm betting the reporter couldn't begin to hold his own against Mr. Aiken.

Posted by: sam on 01/25/2008 09:06 AM

To Lou, who posted the following. "I think his continual bitterness over the situation is why he has yet to offer any sort of official apology, or at least statement clarifying his side of the tale. " You apparently are yet another person who has NO clue of the facts. He's stated in interviews that he apologized and sent her flowers. There are no bad feelings. He's not in the least bitter. Also you should know that people in the audience that day thought the show was very funny and Clay meant no disrespect and realized his mistake instantly. Also, Ms. Ripa did not make a huge to-do and bash Simon Cowell after he did the same thing to her. There are videos and photos of this. She also did the same to Regis, and also licked germophobic Howie Mandells doorknob cover. Why she's now called Ripacrit by many people. Even her own fans posted on a fansite that they thought she was way out of line by publicly bashing Mr. Aiken on the following show, and was very unprofessional. This is all in the past yet tabloids and internet rags still use anything they can to get hits. I'd like to add that it's my first time at this website, and it will be my last. Shame on Newsweek.

Posted by: sam on 01/25/2008 09:14 AM

There was a time when I would have thought it would be wonderful to see Clay Aiken on a daily talk show. Now the thought of it makes me cringe.

Posted by: Sherry on 02/20/2008 05:29 AM

horizontal Street had probably their names reminded my what effect suggested I remember it's name

Posted by: girlclean on 05/25/2008 05:25 AM

Clay's personality or lack of, his boring music that doesn't sell anymore and his wacko fans is all he is about. That's why he is the next idol to get dropped from his label. His last cd didn't even sell gold and his latest one in the last 4 weeks has not sold as much as his last one did in the first week. The writing is on the wall for this has been.

Posted by: shin on 06/08/2008 04:21 PM

Clay is not a *****. And that reporter was trying to get personal. Yes Clay is very stubborant but doesnt mean he was being rude on this he simply didnt wanna talk about it...Im not sure if i saw the Kelly Ripa thing...but they just need to drop that...and theyre also saying that he wants 2 kids..Clay would never do that! Hes not having this one. Or the next. They made that crap up. Anyways these reporoters are nosy and mean! Im glad Clay stood up for himself! Go Clay!!!!!!!! I loove you!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: dominique on 06/16/2008 08:56 AM


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