More than 20 years after finishing as the runner-up on “American Idol,” Clay Aiken is taking a hilarious trip down memory lane, and he has plenty to say about his early-2000s look. While reacting to old audition clips and backstage interviews, the singer roasted everything from his “unsettling” hair to his glasses and even joked that he “jinxed” himself into second place back in 2003.
The nostalgic look back comes just as Clay is making a major comeback with new music and a full-circle performance on the Season 24 finale that included an unbelievable connection to contestant Braden Rumfelt.
A ‘Rewind’ Look at His Time on ‘American Idol’
Clay sat down with Entertainment Tonight for the ET Then & Now special. They looked back at his audition from Season 2 of “American Idol” and a video from right after the Season 2 finale.
Aiken’s reactions are nothing short of amazing, as he jokes about his hair being “unsettling” and is glad he got his teeth capped. He also seems to point out that he had no chin, and jokingly questioned the reporter, “You’re going to put that on TV, again?”
During the lookback at his audition, he told Simon Cowell at the time that he could have gotten the #1 or #2 spot during the first season of the show. Cue to now, and Clay said that is what jinxed him. He joked about “jinxing himself from Day 1.” He goes on to say that he looked like a “watchmaker” during his audition because of the glasses he was wearing.
A Connection to Braden Rumfelt
Clay recently debuted his new single, “Rewind,” on the “American Idol” Season 24 finale. He also took the stage for a duet with Season 24 contestant Braden Rumfelt, who it appears he has a special connection.
For their special duet, the pair sang “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” by Elton John. Clay sang this song during his season on “American Idol.”
The song helped him earn a spot in the Top 12 that season. The performance took place on March 4, 2003. It got him into the Top 12 that season.
While talking with Braden, Clay questioned whether Braden was even born when Clay was on the show. Turns out, Braden was born on March 4, 2003! How crazy is that? The day Braden was born, Clay was singing the song on national television that the duo would then sing together on national television 23 years later.
Biggest Role to Date
In the interview, Clay also talks about his biggest role to date: being a dad. His son, now 17 years old, seems to know that his dad is famous, but not why he is famous.
Clay said that the last time he performed was when his son was three years old. He then stopped performing and making music.
He said that he doesn’t even think his son has seen his original performances on Idol. Now, Clay is back with a new single after 18 years, has been going on tour, and performed during the “American Idol” finale. Clay said for the first time in his son’s life, he might understand why people know his dad or why his dad is famous.
