Clay Takes Aim at Adam, 'Idol'
Want to know where Clay Aiken stands on this year's "American Idol" result? He'll tell you. For $29.95 a year.In a subscription-only part of his Web site where users can see Aiken's blog posts and responses to forum questions, Aiken went on a massive rant about "Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert and about the direction the show has taken in the past few years, according to Gawker.com. Aiken was asked, simply, what he thought of this year's result. What came next was a 700-plus-word response that took on everything from Adam's "Ring of Fire" performance to the public's desire for the show to return to its roots.
It's worth mentioning that there were reports a couple of weeks ago that Aiken paid an unannounced visit to "Idol" in alleged hopes of collaborating with Adam on a duet or tour. Aiken was reportedly whisked away with an unidentified "Idol" staffer saying he was "persona non grata" around the show because he was the first contestant to cut ties with 19 Entertainment.
Here are the highlights of Aiken's response:
"Now that it's all over, and for the record.... I couldn't be happier about the way AI ended this year. I only turn the show on once a season, and only to see what the set looks like each year. This year, I happened to turn it during the minute that Adam Lambert was singing "Ring of Fire" and, at that moment, thought my ears would bleed. Contrived, awful, and slightly frightening! I wasn't really a fan and found myself surprised whenever folks told me that they liked him. Granted, I never saw another performance (and many folks who I trust said that he was great) but I can't imagine I would have enjoyed it. Just not my cup of tea at all."
Aiken went on to say he never saw Kris perform, either. What he took issue with was what he called the over-hyping of Adam Lambert.
"However, this year, there was an obvious bias. Not even having watched the show, I can tell you that I was WELL aware of the bias from the judges as to who should win. In my opinion, that is awfully unattractive. I don't think I am alone."
Aiken wrote that Adam likely lost because the final is the first chance voters get to cast their opinions against a specific singer. But this was where he turned his focus toward the show and how it's changed over the years.
"The show was different then, and folks made it in seasons 1-3 because they were 'real' people who happened to sing/entertain well. But, somewhere along the way, AI stopped being about real people."
"In a battle between David and Goliath, my money is on David! I think many voters got sick of being 'told who to vote for.' I think many were turned off by the blatant favoritism shown towards one contestant. Therefore, on that last night, they used their votes against a contestant that they were tired of hearing about and for the contestant who had been written off. And, at the same time, I think they voted AGAINST an American Idol that has, for four years now, been more about the slick productions and polished contestants than it has been about finding the raw talent that it did in its first three seasons.
Those votes for Kris were also votes to return the show to its roots of finding 'real' contestants with undiscovered talent and giving them the chance to grow and shine. They were votes that said 'we're tired of seeing contestants who already seem to know it all.'"
*** Click here to comment! What do you think of what Clay had to say? Do you agree that the show has changed? Is it for the better or worse?
Message Edited by Victor_Balta on 05-22-2009 11:33 AM
Clay Aiken was my choice for Idol season#2. I definitely agree with him that the judges showed a bias this season more so than even last year. That said, I feel that he should not criticize Adam based on one performance. The focus has indeed changed since his appearance, and I also would like to see it go back to it's former self. But Clay's opinion is not relevant to this season, because he didn't even watch! Both Adam & Kris were excellent competitors & worth watching. Sorry Clay, but your opinion doesn't carry much weight!
All I can say is "AMEN" to Clay's thought on how AI has changed over the past few years.
Kris' votes were generated from several areas...
1) Genuine Kris fans who like his voice, his music style, and see his incredible music talent. This is by far the majority of his votes. I myself fall in here.
2) "The Gokey Factor" - Those who voted for Kris after their fav, Danny or anyone else, was gone.
3) The anti-Adam vote - This is a catch-all category here for those who voted "against" Adam for whatever reason. Perceived lifestyle, judges favoritism, his singing style is polarizing, AI's over-production, Adam's theater background, whatever. (This is a small percentage of the votes though.)
Honestly though, look at what is going on in our country financially. Kris may have won because of the economy, or at least in part. I do not want to take away from his talent, and really no one can. However, the poor economy may have factored into Kris's winning.
In tough times like these, people want to see "the little guy" succeed. Pair him up against somebody who obviously has the training, background, the media, and the judges pulling for him.... Well "Goliath" isn't going to do so well. Adam showed a lot of flash & perceived decadence, and mainstream America might have decided he didn't need anymore. On a talent show, Adam represented those who had already been given a leg up (The bank CEOs, the rich, etc. etc). Kris's voice, background, music style, and his looks - all represent what America is hungry for at the moment. We see Kris in ourselves, we want him to succeed despite everything else that's going on. Kris was the little guy America wanted to see win. We wanted our voice heard despite what the "know-it-alls" said should happen. Remember it was the "know-it-alls" who got us into this economic mess to begin with.
In a year when everyone has had to scale back & pare down, AI's (and Adam's) flash could only go so far. In the end, America wanted someone who could do it simply & do it well, just like the rest of us. Kris does it our way.
Message Edited by TxExGal on 05-22-2009 11:33 AM
Message Edited by TxExGal on 05-23-2009 11:31 AM
Kris' votes were generated from several areas...
1) Genuine Kris fans who like his voice, his music style, and see his incredible music talent. This is by far the majority of his votes. I myself fall in here.
2) "The Gokey Factor" - Those who voted for Kris after their fav, Danny or anyone else, was gone.
3) The anti-Adam vote - This is a catch-all category here for those who voted "against" Adam for whatever reason. Perceived lifestyle, judges favoritism, his singing style is polarizing, AI's over-production, Adam's theater background, whatever. (This is a small percentage of the votes though.)
Honestly though, look at what is going on in our country financially. Kris may have won because of the economy, or at least in part. I do not want to take away from his talent, and really no one can. However, the poor economy may have factored into Kris's winning.
In tough times like these, people want to see "the little guy" succeed. Pair him up against somebody who obviously has the training, background, the media, and the judges pulling for him.... Well "Goliath" isn't going to do so well. Adam showed a lot of flash & perceived decadence, and mainstream America might have decided he didn't need anymore. On a talent show, Adam represented those who had already been given a leg up (The bank CEOs, the rich, etc. etc). Kris's voice, background, music style, and his looks - all represent what America is hungry for at the moment. We see Kris in ourselves, we want him to succeed despite everything else that's going on. Kris was the little guy America wanted to see win. We wanted our voice heard despite what the "know-it-alls" said should happen. Remember it was the "know-it-alls" who got us into this economic mess to begin with.
In a year when everyone has had to scale back & pare down, AI's (and Adam's) flash could only go so far. In the end, America wanted someone who could do it simply & do it well, just like the rest of us. Kris does it our way.
Message Edited by TxExGal on 05-22-2009 11:33 AM
Message Edited by TxExGal on 05-23-2009 11:31 AM
As for finding it's roots and polished performers....are we forgetting last season already. David Cook was a bartender!!! He was not polished, but just had talent.
Are you people nuts? This was a great season. As for Adam, I think the bigots did him in on the perception that he might be gay. Kris is OK and no doubt appeals to many, but Adam has incredible talent. Aiken is just jealous.
Kris won because the American Idol voting block is from the south. The only past AI winner without roots from the Bible Belt is Jordin Sparks, and she was from Arizona - a lot closer to the SE than Blake's NW home.
Adam got the exposure he needed to jumpstart his career, and doesn't have to record that lame song "No Boundries" and be ruled by a very restrictive winner's contract. (Although all contestants sign away a lot of freedom for a period of time.)
Check back in 5 years. Kris may be touring with Taylor Hicks or Ruben Stoddard while Adam is headlining at the Grammys.
Adam got the exposure he needed to jumpstart his career, and doesn't have to record that lame song "No Boundries" and be ruled by a very restrictive winner's contract. (Although all contestants sign away a lot of freedom for a period of time.)
Check back in 5 years. Kris may be touring with Taylor Hicks or Ruben Stoddard while Adam is headlining at the Grammys.
I think anytime you bash the show that gave you your start, it looks bad, especially if you're Clay and you look bad anyway.
I'm sorry.... Clay who?
With the success, fame, and money that even runner-ups (HELLO...CLAY!!) are experiencing on AI we're seeing talented people who may have thought AI was a joke 5 or 6 years ago now try out. That means we're getting people like Adam who have been on Broadway as a way to "break in" to the business but thought AI would get him there faster. Do you really think David Cook or Chris Daughtry would have went on AI on season 1?? They would have been laughing stocks!
Funny Clay is griping about the same program that made him famous and is the reason anyone is reading his gripe. He's not just biting the hand that feeds him, he's chopping it into little pieces.
I think it's been 15 minutes already....
Funny Clay is griping about the same program that made him famous and is the reason anyone is reading his gripe. He's not just biting the hand that feeds him, he's chopping it into little pieces.
I think it's been 15 minutes already....
Clay!!
First ......Oh Please get over it girl the boy adam wouldn't sing with you.
2nd....Its probaly better he didn't win he'll be able to do more of what he likes to do American Idol likes people they can mold and control and adam was just not going to be controlable at all. Is american Idol rigged if you didn't believe it before think about it
First ......Oh Please get over it girl the boy adam wouldn't sing with you.
2nd....Its probaly better he didn't win he'll be able to do more of what he likes to do American Idol likes people they can mold and control and adam was just not going to be controlable at all. Is american Idol rigged if you didn't believe it before think about it
I totally agree with bashing the show that gave him his start, is wrong. I never thought much about Clay...and think even less now. Adam and Kris did a fabulous job and I think
Clay sounds alittle jealous???
Clay sounds alittle jealous???
There is so much more talent around than will ever come out of 'Idol'..I stopped watching a year ago, except for the final show when the guest artists appear, as well as the eye candy of the sets.
To each his own...
To each his own...
I think Clay has grown to big for his britches.
David Cook, the bartender, was so awesome last year. Oh yeah, and he beat out the people who had previous professional experience.
As for the judges favoring Adam, so what, Adam showed the most star quality.
Clay -- Time to make a hit and then maybe we'll listen.
David Cook, the bartender, was so awesome last year. Oh yeah, and he beat out the people who had previous professional experience.
As for the judges favoring Adam, so what, Adam showed the most star quality.
Clay -- Time to make a hit and then maybe we'll listen.
This is truly laughable! Clay Aiken's opinion?? C'mon, really? Adam Lambert has it all over Kris Allen by miles upon miles in talent. I wasn't shocked by the finale at all since I've watched A.I. enough years to know that it's not always the most talented who wins, but the most popular. It's a popularity contest, of course. Just take it for what it is. Where the he$$ does Clay Aiken get off when he admits he's not even familiar with the contestents. Clay should just go father more children with over the hill women and mind his own business already. Please...
Gotta agree with the bias this year, not to mention all the extra publicity, but it all boils down to the money, that's why the voting won't be changed to make it a "true" vote.
people really need to get over that the people are only voting from the south.
people really need to get over that the people are only voting from the south.
Sour grapes from Clay, eh? After he was unceremoniously "whisked off" the AI set, he had to lash out at someone. The truth is, Adam lost because too many people voted using their bibles instead of their brains. As I've said before, a year from now, Adam will be internationally famous, but no one will remember who Kris Allen is.
i think he doesnt have a clue since he didnt even watch the show this year and the fact that he cant appreciate the amazing talent in adam speaks of how little he knows about singing. i would assume that he is maybe jealous of the fact that he knows that if people had to pick between adam and himself, he would be humiliated.
Is this is a case of "sour grapes"?.... I don't think you were emotionally invested in the show this year, Clay, so therefore your opinion of Adam and the other contestants are way off base.... granted the Judges pushed Adam alot (they even pushed Danny, too!! I love you Danny) and that was unfair to the rest of the contestants... there have been a lot of contestants who have had some level of experience so you can't say that Adam has had "more".... he is the most stage experienced one thus far to date.... but in the end it comes down to your talent and your fans keeping you in the competition .... you gotta have both to stay in the game....and the grand finale was the best AI show I have ever seen and I have watched all eight seasons!! Kudos for AI for stepping up their game and taking away some of the boredom that was beginning to set in....
Not exactly sure how one can say Clay Aiken is jealous, he being a runner up his year and made millions himself and it's so freakin incredible how everyone has so much to say but yet nothing to say at all.
I suppose I'll make this my swan song... perhaps I'll slither in next season.