The public didn’t respond the way they probably would now when Clay Aiken came out to the world in 2008.
The American Idol alumnus came out as homosexual on the cover of PEOPLE in August 2008, shortly after the birth of his son, Parker.
Aiken said at the time that he wanted to fulfill a vow he had made to himself as a new father. Aiken, who was 29 at the time, said, “It was the first decision I made as a father.”
“I cannot teach a youngster to conceal or lie. I wasn’t brought up that way, and I won’t bring up a kid that way either. Aiken, who is now 46,
Says that a lot of his public image was centered on rumors about his sexual orientation as he reflects on that incident with PEOPLE. He’s happy he was able to clarify it, but there was a cost.
See also: Ten Years Ago, Clay Aiken “Left Music.” ‘Opened’ His ‘Eyes’ Again: How Recording a New Christmas Album
