Clay Aiken

Clay Aiken has gone all Randy Jackson on Rihanna.

In an interview last night with Andy Cohen, the former American Idol runner-up was asked about the state of pop music. Specifically: which current singer would NOT make it past the first round of the Fox competition?

"There's too many, I've stopped listening to them because they can't sing" Aiken replied, before ultimately coming down on Rihanna - who is NOT dating Ashton Kutcher, people! - because she has "some pitch problems."

Watch the exchange for yourself and then respond below:

Clay Aiken Slams Rihanna

How do you feel about Aiken's critique?

Former American Idol star Clay Aiken is headed to the boardroom.

The singer will be competing, wheeling and dealing on the new season of Donald Trump's series The Celebrity Apprentice, an inside source confirms.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice is also reportedly going to be a contestant this season, as is usually-naked singer Aubrey O'Day.

Reports say '80s pop singer Debbie Gibson is on board as well.

With over five million albums sold career, Clay Aiken trails only Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Chris Daughtry among American Idol alumni.

Celebrity Apprentice champs included Piers Morgan, who ironically was kind of a non-celebrity until he won the thing, Joan Rivers and Bret Michaels.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Well snagged, Clay Aiken.

According to multiple reports, the former American Idol finalist is now dating Jeff Walters, an underwear model who looks like this:

Aiken and Walters have been spotted around Texas, the latter's home state, often over the last couple weeks. Witnesses saw them enter Pinkberry, spend time in Borders and catching a screening of Black Swan.

Clay also watched Jeff in a local production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in Dallas last week.

He's an American Idol finalist, a father, a former Broadway star and, now, a 32-year old man.

Indeed, Clay Aiken celebrates a birthday today, as Claymates around the world are likely sending their favorite artist a slew of best wishes as we type this. We encourage readers to do the same.

After all, we're talking about one of the most humble, charitable artists around, one who spent the summer promoting the release of his fifth studio album and touring with Ruben Studdard. Aiken seems like a very nice guy and we hope he's having a terrific day!

As a UNICEF Ambassador and all-around good guy, Clay Aiken has released a new video.

In it, the former American Idol runner-up asks viewers to donate to emergency relief efforts for children in Pakistan, following that country's recent, torrid, fatal flooding.

“Right now, more than four million children are caught in the aftermath of the worst flood in Pakistan’s history,” he says below. “They need clean water, medicine and shelter to survive."

Give what you can, folks. It's a worthwhile cause.

As Crystal Bowersox and others battle it out on American Idol, a pair of show stalwarts announced exciting news for their fans last week:

Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken will tour together this summer.

The pair, who finished first and second on season two of TV's highest-rated show, will play in 17 cities, beginning July 23 in Ashville, North Carolina and concluding on August 14 in Biloxi, Mississippi. In between, other stops include:

• Melbourne, Florida (July 25)
• Los Angeles, California (August 1)
• Lancaster, Pennsylvania (August 8)
• New York City (August 11).

Said Aiken: "I couldn't ask for a better tour mate. To be able to share the stage with him again is so exciting. He is such a talented artist. He inspires me daily and I think that respect and admiration will truly be reflected in our show."

Will you go see Clay and Ruben on tour?

Before Adam Lambert, there was Clay Aiken.

Both artists rose to fame on American Idol; both finished second to artists that are unlikely to have more successful careers than these runner-ups; and both are gay.

The latter item is utterly irrelevant, but it does give Lambert and Aiken even more in common. That, however, is where the comparisons ends.

While the former superstar flaunts his sexuality and is known for flamboyant, controversial performances, the latter has quietly carved out a productive career for himself on Broadway and on the sales charts.

Aiken turns 31 today. Send in your birthday wishes and honor him by clicking on the Clay photos below...

Mindy McCready and Elisha Cuthbert also turn 34 and 27, respectively, today.

To find out when your favorite actor, athlete or singer celebrates a birthday, remember to consult with our celebrity birthday calendar!

It is so on.

While Adam Lambert and his American Idol rival Kris Allen might be close pals, the same can't be said for this season's runner-up and Clay Aiken.

Days after Aiken bashed Lambert's rendition of "Ring of Fire" (and then quasi-apologized for his remarks), the flamboyant finalist has fired back.

"I don't know Clay," Adam told Access Hollywood this week. "I'm glad he's getting headlines now though, because he wasn't before."

Snaps. Yo.

Lambert wasn't done. He added:

"If he wants to ride my coattails about it, good for him."

Choose a side in this feud:

During a rambling blog entry - which included digs at bloggers for following his words more closely than the economy or the welfare of children around the globe - Clay Aiken sort of apologized to Adam Lambert for disparaging remarks he posted earlier in the week.

Many Lambert fans have taken Clay to task for referring to this season's runner-up as "contrived, awful and frightening."

In response, Aiken writes:

If only many [bloggers] took the time to pay attention to important things like the US economy and the welfare of the world's children. But… nah… I could blog about that type of stuff anytime and most wouldn't think twice, but let me say something that they can pick and choose quotes and misinterpret me… and it's showtime! I never assumed my opinion mattered so much! I guess I may have been wrong...

Since my previous blog got dissected like a biology lab frog, i suppose I should clarify and even retract some of what I wrote. I am sure that some were upset by my choice of words describing my opinion of a performance I heard from Adam Lambert.

I hope no one actually believed that blood truly poured forth from my ears when I heard him. I obviously meant it as a colorful statement to imply that I did not enjoy what I heard. Any performer hopes that their music will appeal to all people, but no singer realistically expects it to.

I definitely don't want to stoop to the level of so many negative freaks on the internet… so, I do apologize to Adam for my colorful (and negative) choice of words. I hope he can forgive me. I imagine he doesn't give a d---! God knows he shouldn't.

Clay Aiken won't be going on tour with Adam Lambert any time soon.

In fact, he may not even subscribe to Lambert's Twitter account!

When asked about the polarizing American Idol runner-up, Aiken (who is also gay and who also finished second during season three of the series) replied:

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. To each his own.