Gossip & Rumors
Clay Comes Out...About Paxil

Clay Aiken is finally opening up about his private life. Sort of.

On Wednesday, Aiken spoke to "Good Morning America's" Diane Sawyer about how he suffered from panic attacks after appearing on "American Idol" in 2003. Clay believes the fact that he was bullied as a child, coupled with the death of his father, helped to exacerbate the problem.

Aiken admits to taking Paxil for the panic attacks, but isn't worried about getting addicted to the depression and anxiety medication. Clay also reveals he has no desire for therapy. "Everybody I know in LA goes to see somebody. And I don't want to do that."

While Clay will discuss the rampant rumors about his sexuality with Sawyer on Thursday, in an interview with People magazine, Aiken says "What do you say (to that question)? ... It's like when I was 8. I remember something would get broken in the house, and Mom and Dad would call me in and say, 'Did you do this?' Well, it didn't matter what I said. The only thing they would believe was yes. ... People are going to believe what they want."

While Clay may not be out, his new CD "A Thousand Different Ways" is.



Tags: Clay Aiken, ClayAiken

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 2) Previous 15 Comments

16. Yes, Clay might be happier if he did what Lance Bass did--State the obvious.

Posted at 6:04PM on Sep 20th 2006 by kat

17. Sorry guys, I think he sings great. He has star presence and quality.
I called him -the winner- the moment he opened his mouth to speak.
His positive attitude got my vote - then his voice.

Posted at 6:24PM on Sep 20th 2006 by Donna Donner

18. leave him alone already! doesn't anyone appreciate the story of a guy who was once the target of bullies raking in the bucks and having the last laugh while the bullies are probably working at the local S.C. auto shop? i love that stuff.

Posted at 8:57AM on Sep 21st 2006 by declanium

19. Again, all the gay bashing morons are out of control. What is wrong with you A-HOLES? For some reason you want everyone to be gay, as if that's the biggest insult you can hurle at someone. That's so jr. high! You "bashers" hate yourselves and want to bring people down to your level because you envy them and can't stand it that they have money and fame! I'd also like to inform you that not all gays take it up the butt. Only uneducated little trolls would say something that stupid!

Posted at 1:52PM on Sep 21st 2006 by Ron

20. I absolutely do not believe that Clay is gay. I think he's just waiting to spring it on all of you that think he is - at just the right moment. I think the only reason he's not answering is because he is just so sick of all the probing into his personal life. I don't blame him. I don't know why the media feels they have to dig so deeply into celebs' lives. It's stupid. I wish everyone would just leave him alone and let him do what he does so well - sing beautifully.

Posted at 8:24PM on Sep 21st 2006 by Susie

21. The fact that Aiken taking anti-depressants is even a headline shows what a sad stigma still exists for people with mental issues as well as psychiatric medications. The brain gets sick like any other organ in the body, and if taking medication is the answer for some people than they should do what's going to make them better. To the person blabbing about lay not dealing with the underlying causes of having panic attacks, you obviously have no idea what you're talking about. Therapy isn't the final answer for everyone, a lot of things such as panic attacks are brought on by general anxiety disorders which are generally due to chemical imbalances. Mental problems are incredibly common in today's society, as is taking medication and/or seeing a therapist. Good for him for choosing to take action and to try to get help for his problems, and having the bravery to be honest about his journey.

Posted at 4:12PM on Sep 22nd 2006 by Carla

22. come on...its so obvious....maybe he should call Lance Bass and get advice on how to come out the closet!

Posted at 8:17PM on Sep 24th 2006 by michelle

23. It is a smart move for him NOT to talk right now. If he did admit to being gay, he would lose 95% of his fan base, which is middle-aged conservative women from the Southern states.

Posted at 1:46AM on Oct 1st 2006 by Lela

24. Okay, male celebrities, if you don't want people to know that you are gay, rule #1 Do Not Giggle.

Nothing gives you away faster than that oh, so effiminate giggle.

Tom Cruise, Ricky Martin, Clay Aiken, always giggle like little girls.

Posted at 7:08PM on Sep 29th 2006 by theflyonthewall

25. i am a very big clay aiken fan, so what if he is gay, why should anyone care, people didn't care when lance bass said he was gay, why should we care if clay is or not, i mean since he has been on american idol everyone has always asked him, hasn't he been through enough without being hounded by hater's, i really don't care if he is gay or not, because it doesn't affect my life, i'm going to be a fan no matter what, and to all you haters out there, you just need to get a life and leave him alone.

Posted at 3:46PM on Oct 1st 2006 by Ashley

26. Clay is ugly stupid and weird. He smells like rat sh*t!

Posted at 4:44PM on Oct 1st 2006 by Caroline Ennis

27. Let the man sing and dance. Simon should be ashamed of himself. Katie Ann

Posted at 4:50PM on Oct 1st 2006 by katieAnn

28. Hello!!! "Life is hard, then you die"
Yes I am a Clay fan. Gay or not it is his business. Paxil or not it is his business.
Admitting or not admitting wont change his singing voice. If you don't like him then why are you even concerned about his sexual preference. I agree with "So what if"
Elton John, George Michaels etc.... have you ever bought there music or listened to them? It is time to get a life and let everyone else live theirs...

Posted at 12:20PM on Oct 4th 2006 by Lyn McNees

29. Paxil is not addictive. Addictive means you crave it. You don't crave Paxil. You crave alchohol, food, pot, heroin. But you do not crave Paxil. The difference is when you decide to stop taking it, you must do so gradually, over the course of a few weeks, taking less and less. in order to avoid severe side effects.

Posted at 5:33PM on Oct 3rd 2006 by Mel

30. Mel (post 28) You are exactly right! I was on Paxil for 2 yrs and if I ran out I would have major sideeffects, my hands and feet would tingle and feel like they were asleep and my face and lips felt numb. I had to go off Paxil gradually for 2 weeks, cutting my pills in 4ths til they were gone. I would not recommend Paxil for anyone!! And to the poster that said he looked bloated.. .that is another side effect that i went through too. I gain almost 50lbs while on Paxil, that is the reason I went off of it.. it is some bad sh*t!!! As for whether or not Clay is gay.... WHO CARES?!? His music is awesome!!!

Posted at 8:47AM on Oct 6th 2006 by Fluffy

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