Clay Aiken

Next year will mark a decade since Clay Aiken finished second on American Idol.

But the singer - who is off on a new holiday-themed tour - doesn't expect the show to honor this 10th anniversary via any kind of performance invitation, not considering the path Aiken believes Idol has headed down.

"Idol back in those days was about the contestants," Aiken tells The Hollywood Reporter. "Kelly [Clarkson] and Justin and Tamyra [Gray] and Nikki McKibbin, they were all the stars of the show. And when I was on, Ruben [Studdard] and myself and Kimberley Locke were the stars of the show.

"Now Idol is about the judges. I don't even know if they remember there are contestants anymore."

Ouch. Zing!

Season 12 will feature three new panelists, of course, but the past few months have been focused entirely on the supposed feud between Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, lending credence to Aiken's point.

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John Rich and Clay Aiken missed each other on Celebrity Apprentice, with the country singer taking the title one season and the former American Idol finalist finishing second a year later.

And that's too bad because we can only imagine what fireworks may have exploded if these artists had actually done battle on national television.

While watching last night's Republican National Convention in Tampa, Aiken Tweeted: "Playing drinking game with my brother now. We drink every time we see a black person on screen at the RNC convention #soberasamormon."

The slam didn't sit well with Rich, who quickly responded by calling out the singer on Twitter: "You should be ashamed for racist comments like THAT!WOW... Clay, you're better than that...I hope."

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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.

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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: