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Why Clay Aiken Should NOT win ‘American Idol’by Peggy Keller -- 03/14/2003
View Printable version of this article First and foremost, let me state unequivocally that I am madly in love with Clay Aiken. I love him in that superficial way that twelve-year-old girls love Justin Timberlake. I am smitten. I cry every time he appears on stage. His skinny body climbs into my dreams at night (I can almost feel his knobby elbows) and I wake up flushed and giggly. I really, really like this guy. Not only do I feel he is the best singer in the group of twelve, but his personality absolutely shines through with such brilliance it's blinding. So then, why do I not want him to win the competition? Because Clay is too good for the lifestyle of the pop star. Let me repeat what he said this week in his introductory tape prior to his coming on stage: "I want to make a difference, if I can do that by singing and touch someone that's good. If I can do that by teaching someone, that’s better." (Emphasis added.) At that moment if I had any doubt about who Clay was, it vanished. Most of the people on that stage – or even those who just wished to be on that stage – would have reversed the order of those dreams, but Clay is not most people. He showed up for an audition being his complete self, her wore those glasses (which I absolutely loved on him), he did not have his hair Seacrested, he was not dressed to impress (see photo above). He was something completely refreshing, a real, genuine guy. When Clay is onstage he pulls it off with a confidence that comes only from knowing losing is not the end of the world. You don't like him? No sweat off his back. He really wanted the chance to compete and he was given that chance. If he doesn't go all the way he will be disappointed, but not heartbroken. You can see it in his eyes. American Idol is important to Clay but he has his priorities in order. It is not the most important thing in the world. Those of you who read my regular columns are aware that I have two children with autism. Clay, in his real life, works with autistic children and has for nearly a decade. The burnout rate for working with these kids is enormously high and for Clay to keep coming back and then embracing it to the point where he is making it his life-long career choice as a special ed major is, to me, something deserving of a Nobel prize. There are very few nurturing males in the world of special ed, and they are desperately needed considering that autism affects boys 75% more than girls. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it has also risen 900% in the last decade. Therein lies the reason why I will not be entirely disappointed if Clay does not win the competition. Let the stock-boys and the hairdressers become superstars. The real world that contains kids who need funny, kind, patient educators needs Clay. Of course, even as I say this I am trying to invest in a power dialer or a phone bank to make sure Clay gets a billion votes. I know, deep down I know, the train has already left. The bell cannot be unrung. Clay Aiken has already slipped away into that superficial world of silk shirts, frosted hair, tinted contacts, limo drivers, Coke commercials, national tours, etc. It will be years before the world's newest Elton John can go back to anonymity. I hope Clay does not become so jaded and spoiled that by the time he is ready to do something else in his life besides sing, he does not forget that he is really good at being a real person. Perhaps if he does win American Idol – or do very well – his story may inspire others to follow him not as a singer, but as a teacher. Unfortunately, those that live in the world of "special needs" will still need him and others like him. Autism is a lifelong condition. Peggy Keller is Mother and Behavior Therapist to her two autistic sons and teenage daughter. Click here to e-mail her. Be sure to sign up for the RealityNewsOnline/FoxesOnIdol e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on both sites! For all of the RealityNewsOnline articles about this show, check out the American Idol page. For more news about reality TV, be sure to check out RealityTVFans.com and SirLinksALot! View Printable version of this article
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