Clay Aiken

Singer Clay Aiken attends The Flawsome Ball on Oct. 18, 2012 in New York.

Pop Star

Clay Aiken seen here Jan. 10, 2008, in New York. Aiken appears on the cover of the latest People magazine holding his infant son, Parker Foster Aiken, with the headline: "Yes, I'm Gay." The 29-year-old former "American Idol" runner-up, multiplatinum recording artist and Broadway star credits his son, conceived by in-vitro fertilization with making him realize that he could no longer hide his homosexuality from the world.

On National TV

Clay Aiken burst onto the national radar screen in 2003 by becoming a finalist in Fox's second season of "American Idol." Here, he performs "This is the Night" in the show's finale on Tuesday, May 20, 2003.

The Competition

The Fox show captivated American audiences as Aiken and Ruben Studdard jockeyed for top position. Aiken is shown congratulating winner Studdard seconds after the results of the contest were announced, Wednesday, May 21, 2003.

Still Friends

Despite the fierce competition of 12 voting rounds, Aiken and Studdard remain friends. The two finalists pose in this undated handout photo.

World Series Stage

There's nothing second place about the way Aiken's career has been growing. Among his many performances, the 26-year-old North Carolina native sings the national anthem before Game 1 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Florida Marlins at Yankee Stadium Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003.

Seasoned Singer

Aiken has become something of a fixture on the baseball field, shown here waving to the crowd prior to singing the national anthem before the Class AAA Durham Bulls take on the Rochester Red Wings in Durham, N.C., Thursday, May 8, 2003.

Fan Support

Aiken is a fan favorite, welcomed by audiences wherever he goes. Here, he shakes hands with admirers during the Nickelodeon Let's Just Play Campaign at the Nick on Sunset Studios in Los Angeles, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2003.

Pop Star Graduates

Despite a busy performing schedule, Aiken graduates from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, shaking hands with Chancellor James Woodward after receiving his bachelor of arts in special education.

Family Man

Fame has done nothing to deter Aiken's devotion to his family. He takes his mother, Faye, to the Billboard Music Awards, Dec. 10, 2003. In 2008, he welcomed a son with his longtime friend and producer Jaymes Foster.

The Red Carpet

Whether with his mother or a beautiful date on his arm, Aiken is comfortable on the red carpet. The singer arrives at the 31st Annual American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Calif., Nov. 16, 2003.

More Recognition

As he performs and tours the country, he is earning more recognition. Here, Aiken holds up the award he won at the Billboard Music Awards 2003 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Dec. 10, 2003.

Clay Unwinds

Aiken races a scale-model car at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Thursday, April 22, 2004, proving he is not a man of all work and no play.

Clay Makes Time

The singer takes time out of his busy schedule to visit with school children from P.S. 76 in Harlem, N.Y. Aiken created the Bubel/Aiken Foundation to help children with developmental disabilities.

Star With A Cause

In addition to his foundation, Aiken has sung at numerous benefits for children's causes. Here, he performs at the 38th annual Jerry Lewis Telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Monday, Sept. 1, 2003, in Los Angeles. The telethon raised a record $60,505,234.

Onward And Upward

The young pop sensation parlayed an "American Idol" loss into a career victory. In the years following "Idol," he's become a multiplatinum recording artist, launched eight tours, became a New York Times best-selling author and became a Broadway star.

Singer and UNICEF ambassador Clay Aiken, center, arrives for a talk with students and teachers at the Learning Project Elementary School in Boston, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005.

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken, center, appears during the lighting of the UNICEF Snowflake Baccarat crystal chandelier at the corner of 57th street and 5th Avenue in New York, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006.

Singer Clay Aiken performs at Pizza Hut Park following an MLS soccer match between FC Dallas and Chivas USA, in Frisco, Texas, Wednesday, July 4, 2007.

Clay Aiken attends a party to celebrate Jenna Bush's book, "Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope," Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, in New York. Proceeds from the book by President Bush's daughter will benefit UNICEF. Aiken is a U.S. Fund for UNICEF Ambassador.

Broadway Star

Singer and actor Clay Aiken appears on stage as Sir Robin in Monty Python's "Spamalot" at the Shubert Theatre in New York. Aiken made his Broadway debut in January 2008. He returned for a second engagement in September.