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Clay Aiken: American A-Hole?

Posted Dec 28th 2006 11:52AM by TMZ Staff

Clay Aiken and Joshua Willard Clay Aiken's diva-like behavior has got one former fan pissed off. The former "American Idol" star is being accused of booting a 15-year-old boy off of a concert line-up simply because he wasn't festive enough.

Joshua Willard won a North Carolina singing competition, which gave him the chance to perform with the Greensboro Symphony during Clay Aiken's Holiday concert on Saturday. Willard told TMZ he rehearsed his song, Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," and had just finished a soundcheck when managers of the Symphony told him the devastating news that Aiken's camp had decided that he would not be allowed to perform because he was not singing a Christmas song. Bah humbug!

Curiously, other singers who did have holiday songs prepared were also not allowed to sing. Instead, Willard was only allowed to lead a 30-second group singalong. Lisa Crawford, CEO of the Greensboro Symphony, told TMZ that the children were never promised they could sing with Clay; "It was his tour and show. We were just hired to play."

During his concert, Willard says Aiken "was trying to be more of a comedian than a singer," -- and an unfunny one at that. Aiken made multiple references to his controversial appearance on "Live with Regis and Kelly," where he attempted to put his hand over Ripa's mouth. Willard says Aiken was rude to audience members and told several people to sit down and cover their mouth. Clay even showed a raunchier side by pretending he had flatulence every time feedback came through the speakers. Talk about making a stink!

An hour after the show, Willard got to meet Clay, but says that Miss Thing was "snotty" and acted like he was too good for his little fans. The former Claymates were even told not to take individual pictures with Aiken, only group shots. Willard is devastated and says that due to Aiken's behavior, he now "could care less of Clay." Joshua hopes to tryout for the next season of "American Idol," to show the world what a down to earth Idol is really like.

Calls to Clay's rep were not immediately returned.

Tags: Clay Aiken, ClayAiken

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(Page 6 of 23) Previous 15 Comments | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

76. Ted, remind me of that when I shove my hand over your mouth to shut you up. I'm not holding this to Kelly's standards, I have my own. There's never been someone to hold their hand over my mouth to shut me up. I've never done the same to anyone else, much less a friend. Also, if you think about it, it's just an invasion of someone's personal space. I'd like to see when you've put your hand over someone's mouth so you could talk. It' s about manners, professionalism, and just plain being a gentleman. He had none of the above, and hasn't several instances I've seen or heard about since. My friend, who works at the publicists, says people can't even stand to take his calls - he's even used "Don't you know who this is?" Ummmm duhhhhhh, NO.

Posted at 7:29PM on Dec 28th 2006 by Patty

77. Give Clay a break. This boy needs some lesson on how to be a star. Whinning
will not get you anywhere. For one fan that Clay loses he gains five
For the parents of this boy. Teach him to have patience if he is going to be a star
he need to wait for his turn. Saying bad thing about Clay is not a good way to start your career

Posted at 8:19PM on Dec 28th 2006 by angelica mayor

78. For the person who wrote this article and for the boy who is complaining both of you obviously want attention For the parents, maybe you should teach your son to wait till he become a star before he acts like one

I am Glad he did not get to sing. he does not deserve to be heard. Nothing happen ny accident. If you want to be famous talking bad about Clay is not the right way to do it. Both of you get a life. For every one fan that Clay loses , he gains five

Way to go Clay

Posted at 8:18PM on Dec 28th 2006 by angelica mayor

79. Did anyone really WATCH American Idol? I you happen to catch that last episode, WATCH VERY CAREFULLY when the winner, Ruben Studdard (who AMERICA VOTED FOR, SO DON'T GET ANGRY CLAYMANIACS) is announced, WATCH Clay's reaction, and HIS WORDS TO RUBEN!!! YES PEOPLE HIS WORDS, they are NOT words of congratulations! to me, looks like he's saying "you stole my spot or place or something to that effect. NOT a good LOSER!!!

Posted at 7:45PM on Dec 28th 2006 by Gigi

80. OMG, this queen has been pumped up his manpu**y so many times, he is completely streched out. He severely needs male vaginal rejuvenation surgery. He has no morals, no talent...he's fat, ugly, and such a wannabe. Look where Carrie Underwood has gone is just a short period of time - she's blown Clay out of the water. And, supposedly, this last album of his was supposed to be the blockbuster of all blockbusters - NOT! Flaming piece of trash!

Posted at 8:27PM on Dec 28th 2006 by Kork Klogz

81. Is the kid smiling in this photograph the kid that is complaining? Well ... he looks mighty happy here and if he was so mad at Clay why did he bother getting his picture taken with him? Sounds like a sore loser or someone just trying to get more attention. I wouldn't want to go see a holiday show and have some kid I've never heard of or want to hear get to sing an entire NON christmas song! The kid needs to learn what "christmas show" is.

Posted at 7:49PM on Dec 28th 2006 by doglovr

82. #10 you're ridiculous. Who cares gay or not, the kid has no talent. How he continues to be so unprofessional and still get new TV jobs is beyond me. He is such a LOSER and just makes it easy for other countries to laugh at the people "we" make celebs. And for Rosie and her stupid comments... Rosie, for once shut up! No one really cares about your opinions that much or you wouldn't have lost your own show. Barbara needs to get rid of quick before she kills that show too.

Posted at 7:58PM on Dec 28th 2006 by Erin

83. I don't know for sure what happened in Greensboro and I don't think anyone does. We have only heard one side of the story. I am sure that Clay is not perfect but I don't think he deserves all this negativity. He is a singer and an entertainer and I myself enjoy his music. Is he gay, don't know, don't care! I enjoy his voice and that is really all it is about for me. I don't think there are too many entertainers out that don't have their quirks. I am sure he is no different. But I am constantly amazed at the response there is to any news story about him. What is it????

Is he that interesting, according to most of you he isn't. So why do you bother to say anything if you don't like him? I do know of many heartwarming moments he has given to children and fans but maybe they don't count.

I watched the whole Kelly & Clay show and yes he was digging at her but she also gave him a few jabs. Should he have put his hand over her mouth, no, but I think he did it jokingly and realized he had made a mistake. But did you see all the videos of her putting her hand over Regis and Simon Cowell?? I would say she would have a good arguement but when I saw those clips I felt her complaint was unfair. Because she herself had done it. Enough said.

He is just a person with the same faults we all have, and I would not dare put someone else down when I have no idea how I would react to the situtations he has been in. Just let the guy alone and those who want to enjoy his music will do so and everyone else can enjoy their favorites. Is that too hard to do?

Posted at 8:02PM on Dec 28th 2006 by derw

84. Little girls & wallflower type women love non-threatening men. So we will be stuck with Aiken around for awhile longer.

Posted at 8:18PM on Dec 28th 2006 by the voice of reason

85. Joshua was asked by the Greensboro Symphony and the Community Theatre of Greensboro to perform that night... He didn't go begging to perform nor shove a "NON" Christmas song down anyone's throat. He did as he was asked and was told. Keep in mind that this was the night before Christmas Eve so he showed up as requested and took time away from holiday family activities to be there. SOMEONE owes him an apology.

For those of you who ask why Josh was smiling in that photo? He is a very happy, optimistic Christian young man and hates no one. He doesn't hate Clay. He is merely shocked at how rude Clay was!

Hindsight-a lot of us wish Josh had told them no when they asked him to help them out that night!

Posted at 8:19PM on Dec 28th 2006 by friendofjosh

86. Carrie Underwood blown Clay out the water? Please! She can win award singing country crap but she will never be a Star like Clay, he has the star power, even with an album that didn't do well the media can get enough of him. He is a big Star

Posted at 8:55PM on Dec 28th 2006 by kay

87. Wow you people are really harsh! I think the facts should be verified before trashing anyone. The boy or Clay. And let's face it we don't have the facts. By the way Clay was a "guest" and I am sure did not make the decision on how the show would go. Only on what he personally would sing.

You need to know what really happened before jumping the gun and being so absolutely cruel.

Posted at 9:44PM on Dec 28th 2006 by derw

88. I was in Greensboro at the Clay Aiken Christmas Show. Clay was amazing! His voice was unbelievable, and he was so funny that he could be a stand up comedian. He is worth every penny of the price of the ticket, ask any of the 3000 that were there. Also ask those same 3000 if they will come back, and the answer will be YES! 100 dollars was not paid for my ticket to see amateur hour, I paid to see and hear Clay Aiken. And yes, I did not drive 9 hours not to hear the full set of songs that I paid to hear. If you do not like Clay's type of music, fine, go buy music by someone else, fair enough, but to sit on these comment boards and spew such venom about such a kind soul that has never done anything to anyone is a sad state of affairs. Go pick on someone that needs it. Can you just not stand the fact that the kid has one of the best voices of our generation?? He will be here long after the Justin Timberlake's of this world are long gone. Thank God!!!!! You haters need to grow up!

Posted at 10:03PM on Dec 28th 2006 by Carole Hancock

89. May I remind all of you that Clay was a "guest" of the symphony, like the others. He was invited and I doubt he personally determined how the show would go, only what he would sing. The facts should be checked before blasting him.

Posted at 9:44PM on Dec 28th 2006 by derw

90. Rude!!!
Think you better start kissing the asses of the people who got you to where you are. Thank GOD, I never voted for you or even liked you.
Maybe if we just ignore him, He'll go away, I HOPE!

Posted at 1:51PM on Dec 30th 2006 by Wendicolleen

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