| Celebrated Name: | Clay Aiken |
| Real Name/Full Name: | Clayton Holmes Grissom |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | 43 years old |
| Birth Date: | 30 November 1978 |
| Birth Place: | Raleigh, North Carolina, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 1.85 m |
| Weight: | 78 kg |
| Sexual Orientation: | Gay |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Wife/Spouse (Name): | N/A |
| Children/Kids (Son and Daughter): | Yes (Parker Foster Aiken) |
| Dating/Girlfriend (Name): | N/A |
| Is Clay Aiken Gay?: | Yes |
| Profession: | Singer, songwriter, actor, author, and philanthropist |
| Salary: | N/A |
| Net Worth in 2024: | $10 million |
| Last Updated: | December 2024 |
Clay Aiken is the runner up of 2003 American Idol. His debut album Measure of a Man released in October 2003 got multi-platinum, and he became the fourth-highest-selling American Idol contestant as he sold over 5 million albums, which is remarkable. Aiken did eleven tours till now for his albums and is active in the present. Aiken is not just a singer but also a songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist. His co-written memoir became the bestselling memoir of 2004, Learning to Sing. Aiken was also elected UNICEF ambassador from 2004 to 2013 as he gave up the position to run for Congress.
Maybe you know about Clay Aiken very well, but do you know how old and tall is he, and what is his net worth in 2024? If you do not know, we have prepared this article about details of Clay Aiken’s short biography-wiki, career, professional life, personal life, today’s net worth, age, height, weight, and more facts. Well, if you’re ready, let’s start.
Early Life & Biography
On November 30, 1978, Clayton Holmes Grissom (Clay Aiken) was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Aiken started singing when he was a child. He sang in many places like school and church choir, musicals, and local theatre. After school, Aiken started singing as lead vocals in a local band named Just by Chance. Aiken has two brothers and two sisters and also an 11-year-old boy named Parker Foster Aiken (Born on August 8, 2008).
Aiken’s friend insisted him to apply for American Idol. Soon after hearing Aiken singing Heatwave’s “Always and Forever,” judges of American Idol 2003 promoted him to the next round for his incredible vocals. He came in second place of American Idol 2003 and lost by 134,000 to the winner Ruben Studdard. Rolling Stone featured Clay Aiken on the cover page of 2003 magazine.
Age, Height, and Weight
Being born on November 30 1978, Clay Aiken is 43 years old as of today’s date 13th December 2024. His height is 1.85m tall, and his weight is 78 kg.
Personal Life
Clay Aiken has such an incredible voice that judges of American Idol replayed his audition performance clips several times during the competition. Aiken, on August 8, 2008, announced the birth of his son Parker Foster Aiken and his mother Jaymes Foster is the sister of a record producer David Foster. In September 2008, after many speculations, Aiken came out as gay when he was interviewing with People Magazine.
Clay Aiken has had three relationships with Jeff Walter (2010-2011), Devin Finn (2010), and Reed Kelly (2008-2010) and had an encounter with Jaymes Foster Levy. The longest Aiken has been in a relationship is one year and seven months, and the shortest was 22 days. Aiken was born in a Baptist family, and he mentioned this in his book Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life, which became the best selling book of 2004. It was written by Allison Glock and Clay Aiken.
Career
Aiken use to sing when he was a child he sang in choirs of church and schools also in a local theater. After high school, he started singing with a local band named Just by Chance in which he was a lead singer. He appeared in American Idol 2003 and reached to Top 2 and then lost to Ruben Studdard by 134000 votes. In the same year in October 2003, this debut album Measure of a Man came out. He released more albums and sold over 5 million albums to become the fourth highest-selling alumnus in the history of American Idol. Aiken is also counted in the top 10 singers of American Idol.
In 2004 Aiken became the ambassador of UNICEF, which the latter give up the position in 2013 to run for Congress. He was appointed to a Presidential Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities for a two-year term in 2006. His book Learning to Sing made to The New York Times Best Seller List in 2004, which was written by Clay Aiken and Allison Glock. Aiken has talked about Anti-gay bullying and has also donated for AIDS.
Awards & Achievement
Clay Aiken has many awards and achievements under his belt, and they are categorized below:
- American Music Awards
- Fan Choice Award in 2003
- Billboard Awards
In 2003 Aiken won best selling singles for his album “Bridge Over Troubled Water / This is the Night.”
In 2004 Aiken won best selling Christmas and Christian album for “Merry Christmas with Love.”
In 2005 Aiken again won the best selling Christian album for “Merry Christmas with Love.”
Aiken won 2004 Top 40 Male Artist of the Year by New Music Weekly and also won Outstanding Yule CD in 2005 for the album “Merry Christmas with Love” by American Christian Music Awards.
Achievements
- 2005 Robert M. Barg Memorial Achievement Award.
- 2006 UNC Charlotte Alumni Association Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
- 2007 National Center for Learning Disabilities’ Children’s Advocacy Award.
- 2009 The Family Circle Award from the Family Equality Council.
Net Worth & Salary of Clay Aiken in 2024
As of December 2024, Clay Aiken has a total net worth of $10 million, and his salary has not been declared or calculated to this day. His songs were popular among the youth of the generation and have been successful throughout his career. His songs and published books were highest-sellers and have been recognized by majorly every critic.
Clay Aiken is an incredible singer, and he has proved this by his work and has also been felicitated for the same. There is no doubt that he has a very good voice and can be clearly heard in his albums. He has excelled not only in singing but also as an author and philanthropist.