Clay Aiken Reflects On Being Outed in 2006

Clay Aiken recently discussed a challenging experience from his past while appearing on Page Six Radio. At 47, the singer looked back on being publicly outed by Rosie O’Donnell during a 2006 episode of “The View.” The on-air discussion involved O’Donnell, Aiken, and Kelly Ripa.

“I died inside a lot that week,” Aiken shared. “I was woken up by my son’s mother, who informed me that Rosie had outed me on ‘The View.’ I was freaked out,” he recounted.

The confrontation occurred after Aiken, while co-hosting “Live with Regis and Kelly,” playfully placed his hand over Ripa’s mouth. Ripa, not amused, remarked, “I don’t know where that hand’s been, honey.” This led to tension between them.

Rosie O’Donnell subsequently defended Aiken, labeling Ripa’s comment “homophobic” from her perspective as a gay person. “From where I sit as a gay person in the world, I have to tell you, that’s how it came off to me,” O’Donnell stated during “The View.”

Aiken, who was in Los Angeles during the airing, clarified he held no resentment against O’Donnell. “She meant well. Her words were chosen in the heat of the moment,” he commented.

Ripa defended her stance, arguing her concern was due to Aiken’s contact with multiple audience members during flu season, not homophobia.

A few weeks later, Aiken humorously referenced the incident while presenting at the VMA Awards with Tori Spelling. He praised Spelling for her efforts to calm the situation, calling her “gracious.”

Despite O’Donnell’s unintended outing of Aiken, he publicly confirmed his sexuality in September 2008. He appeared on the cover of People magazine with his newborn son, saying, “Yes, I’m Gay.” Aiken chose this moment as a father, emphasizing, “I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things.” His son was born via invitro fertilization with Jaymes Foster.

Clay Aiken gained recognition as a contestant on “American Idol” Season 2 in 2003, where he finished as runner-up to Ruben Studdard. Reflecting on the experience, Aiken noted the uncertainty and expectations surrounding the show.

Lori A. Bashian, an entertainment news writer, contributed to this report.