Clay Aiken, beloved by millions, is almost as famous with his fans for his bon mots as for his singing.
One of the pearls of wisdom to come out of Mr. Aiken's mouth was something along the lines of: whatever the vicissitudes of life after American Idol, he was dead-set against becoming just another "useless celebrity."
As we ponder what Clay might have meant by the term "useless celebrity," it's perhaps enlightening to look around at the most recent useless celebrity feuds.
Or maybe not.
Okay, I know you want to go there.
First up, we have the Kelly Clarkson v. Benji Madden swingfest, which I helpfully documented here.
The lovable Kelly Clarkson of course was being her lovable self when, in an interview for a magazine feature actually called something like "Stupid Questions for [Name That Celebrity]," she dared to make a joke---a joke not only about Beyonce, but---gasp!---about HILARY DUFF.
Well, slap you up side the head, Ms. Clarkson.
As Hilary Duff's boyfriend's genius twin brother was quick to opine: Kelly Clarkson got her start as a pop star on a tv show, while, according to said genius, Hilary "Lizzie McGuire" Duff did not.
This is why internet chatters invented the ROTFLMAO acronym. Even mtv.com went "dude . . . huh?? . . ." over that one.
Then, in a different useless celebrity feud, we had Liam Gallagher of Oasis going at it with Chris Martin of Coldplay.
Mr. Gallagher, apparently, was appalled that Mr. Martin had used the occasion of a gig at a children's cancer fundraising event to "bang" on about his political views (which, of course, children everywhere are enchanted with).
As Liam Gallagher put it:
When Coldplay did this gig they banged on about the war, that's wrong. Chris Martin shouldn't be using this cause to bang on about his own views on the war. If him and his gawky bird want to go banging on about the war they can do it at their own gigs.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Georgeann
"But my point is this: love him or hate him, for millions, Mr. Aiken's voice is not "just" singing. It's joy. And creating joy is never useless."
Well said!
2 - uchenna
after listening to CLAY i was knocked of literarily
3 - Ann
Clay Aiken is my favorite male singer and male entertainer. Clay Aiken is the greatest and the best male musical artist ever!!! Clay Aiken Rules!!!
4 - Jo Ann Edwards
you said it all He is more than just an unbelievable Voice..but he is a true performer, entertainer...and humanatarian, YES I LIKE HIM ...I REALLY REALLY LIKE HIM LOL
5 - Natalie Davis
I'll agree, Clay Aiken has a heart and brain to go along with those pipes. But if I were inclined to moon over either (which is not the case), I would pick Chris Martin over Brad Pitt any day.
6 - The Theory
i did a lot of laughing while reading this. good job.
7 - Nathaniel Winn
I found this to be a very enjoyable read.
Keep up the good work!
8 - stella J
Didn't Liam recently call Chris Martin a "plant pot" ? That guy is fucking hilarious in a rock star sort of way. It's funny because Noel Gallagher and Chris Martin are pretty close; I guess Liam is just being Liam.
9 - kat
when robbie williams was feuding with the gallaghers and a new oasis album came out, rob sent a wreath after he heard it... a funeral wreath, and a note of condolences. haha there are still some people with imagination :)
and oh yeah, very much agree clay aiken = joy!
10 - Sticker
The Theory wrote: i did a lot of laughing while reading this. good job.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
11 - Sticker
Nathaniel Winn wrote: I found this to be a very enjoyable read.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks! I hope to (keep up the good work). Thanks for stopping by.
12 - Sticker
Yes, stella j ---
And what exactly is a "plant pot"? I mean, we could go with a lot of different meanings here.
While some have been so kind as to congratulate me on my work, I must admit that often the material just writes itself.
Thank you.
13 - Sticker
kat wrote:
when robbie williams was feuding with the gallaghers and a new oasis album came out, rob sent a wreath after he heard it... a funeral wreath, and a note of condolences. haha there are still some people with imagination :)
I am beginning to wonder if there might be some peculiarly British talent for such.
Their pop feuds are almost like soccer club feuds.
Next thing you know someone will be toilet-papering Liam's next venue or stealing Chris Martin's goat mascot.
14 - Guppusmaximus
Considering the culmination of both artists works amount to pretentious,over-produced ,over-played garbage, I don't think their words should make such an impact.
15 - Vickie
Well said, Sticker. I was wondering if we would hear from you on this subject.
16 - Sticker
Vickie wrote:
Well said, Sticker. I was wondering if we would hear from you on this subject.
Thank you, Vickie, and, yes, I guess you know me well enough to know I wouldn't pass this one up!
17 - shirley romano
These feuds (well, Clay Aiken doesn't have time for such nonsense) and as for being a 'useless celebrity' I do feel he has a vision of what is expected of him, as opposed to what he expects of himself. Have we scraped in an oyster, and found ourselves a pearl? And will we throw it back because the oyster wasn't big enough?
Life is about the choices we make for ourselves. Clay knows that, but do we?
18 - jenna
Well you certainly "get it" as far as Clay goes but have to disagree with the Kelly thing. No doubt that Kelly is a better singer than Hillary, but Hillary has the edge on the lip sync. Beyonce on the other hand should not even be in the same sentence with these other two. Kelly and Hillary have light years to go to even compare to Beyonce.
While Kelly has a somewhat good voice, she really, really needs to work on breath control and that screaming. Yikes, not music to my ears at all.
Back to Clay. Clay is a natural born and gifted singer. According to him he does not warm up nor practice scales. He just belts out those tunes and has the most awesome tone. Gifted, just extremely gifted. Again, according to him, singing is just a means to an end. The end not being singing. Obtaining influence and making money to further his causes is his ambition. Those causes being "opening doors and opening mines", education and the inclusion of handicapped individuals. That's where his heart is.
19 - Sticker
jenna wrote:
Again, according to him, singing is just a means to an end.
I guess one question someone might raise in response is:
is there a point at which using a gift as a means to an end overlooks or minimizes the importance of the gift in its own right?
20 - Lindsay
"In the meantime, unlike Ms. Paltrow and Ms. Farrow, Aiken fans can---sssshhhh!---gloat that they started out in life with Clay Aiken . . . and ended up with Clay Aiken."
Well said! It's nice to see an artist who is staying true to himself.
Sticker, I always enjoy reading your blogs. Keep up the good work!
21 - Lindsay
"In the meantime, unlike Ms. Paltrow and Ms. Farrow, Aiken fans can---sssshhhh!---gloat that they started out in life with Clay Aiken . . . and ended up with Clay Aiken."
Well said! It's nice to see an artist who is staying true to himself.
Sticker, I always enjoy reading your blogs. Keep up the good work!
22 - Sticker
Thanks, Lindsay! And I always enjoy having readers stop by with a comment.
23 - Anne
Really great read!! And yes, Clay is defintely creating joy with his celebrity. It's another things that makes him so wonderfully unique from everyone else in this business.
Question though: What does "bon mots" mean? *blushes*
24 - Sticker
Anne-
Thanks for stopping by. No blushing needed.
"Bon mots" means, literally, good words. As an expression, it means clever phrases, charming quips, the interesting turn of the word.
25 - Anne
Thanks, Sticker!
Yup, you're absolutely right...Clay's very famous among his fans for his snarky "bon mots". :)