The opportunity to perform on "American Idol" can transform a performer's career but can also come with a great deal of burden.
Nowadays, a significant number of contestants resign prior to the elimination round; this is a difficult and highly scrutinized procedure.
Clay Aiken learnt this lesson in 2003, when he finished second on the second season of "American Idol."
Despite the defeat, Aiken acknowledges the show's contribution to his political career.
In 2014, Clay Aiken decided to run as a Democrat and nearly won, losing to Representative Renne Ellmers. According to People, Aiken's victory would have been noteworthy if he had become the first openly homosexual Southern congressman.
Similar to his journey on American Idol, the vocalist came so close to victory, but ultimately fell short. Aiken believed at that time that his political career had come to an end.
However, in an interview with Variety, he revealed that things would change en route to his return to politics in 2022.
Aiken revealed that he was not searching for a place to run or a race to participate in but was willing to run if there was another race, seat, or need.
He shared that he has always told himself that I'd be willing to if I believed I could provide something that was necessary. However, eight years have passed and I had no intention of running for Congress. Clay Aiken was also motivated by a deeper, more personal reason.
"In November as I was considering it, the lieutenant governor here in North Carolina [Mark Robinson], who is - what's the word I want to use that won't have me cussing in Variety - he's empathetically challenged.
"He gave a speech in which he said, "What is the purpose of homosexuality? What purp
ose do homosexuals serve?" I watched that sort of with just dumb struck awe that someone could be so ignorant. After watching it, I said, you know, "I got your purpose, bitch. I will show you," Aiken tells Variety.
Ruben Studdard, the winner of "American Idol" Season 2, and Clay Aiken, the runner-up, recently sat down to discuss their experiences on the reality program. Aiken revealed that he realized he was homosexual during the filming of Idol. Studdard attempted to complete his sentence by stating that this individual "kind of told you," to which Aiken replied, "Well, in a way or another."
This made Studdard chuckle.
