A funny thing happened the other night as I was watching Constantine Maroulis perform “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.”
First, like fine wine poured into a plastic beer glass, delicious strains of big-bodied, bring-the-house-down flavor coursed in and out of Constantine’s voice. Robust, yet delightfully accessible.
Secondly, Constantine poured his whole self, body and soul, into the music, which had the effect of enticing his listeners, likewise, to immerse themselves completely in the groove.
Then it happened.
Constantine, rocking Blood, Sweat and Tears, finished belting out a hook with a stomp step and a sort of a sideways leg kick. Lightning struck. Those who know, know what I mean.
Suddenly, a “Raven” moment. It all became clear: Constantine---the man on whose forehead AI had taped a “I’m A Rocker” sign---the man whose mere long hair was regarded by the supposedly sophisticated judges as conclusive proof of Metallica genes---the man whose band, Pray for the Soul of Betty, was assumed to be a proxy for anti-Top 40 passion----actually has a secret life as . . . Clay Aiken?
Well, not exactly. But before I explain, let me give a shout-out to the assembled tribes of the Clay Nation: Idol found. Game Over.
It’s not that Constantine and Clay look alike or sing alike. In fact, as I have said, Constantine reminds me of no one so much as Spongebob, and I mean that in the very best and sweetest of ways. The curly dimples, the big, radiant grin, the toothy marvels. It’s all good. And like Clay, Constantine is a man who is going to photograph well, very well. (Google Clay Aiken photographs on the web and see for yourself.)
This season the judges have gotten their jollies claiming Anthony is “this year’s Clay Aiken.” (I repeat paragraph. 7.)
That’s because their reasoning processes are so advanced: Anthony = Different appearance. Different appearance = Geek. Geek = Clay Aiken. Do the math.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Eric Olsen
very interesting comparison - makes a lot of sense
2 - Rita
Loved your article on Constantine's Clayness. I love Clay and am a fan of Constantine's, but had not noted the similarities until you pointed them out. Thank you for an interesting read.
3 - Peaches
Wow! I couldn't disagree more--about Constantine, that is. He does not have Clay's wide appeal (although I grant you he does have a not insignificant fan base), and I would not put him above Nadia, Carrie, Anwar, or Bo. No, he falls solidly in the middle, and that's that. In my opinion, of course.
4 - Phoebe
Interesting read--maybe this is why I have a guilty fascination with Constantine. I'm a huge Clay Aiken fan and I felt like I was cheating on him with another guy! =)
Constantine seems like the "anti-Clay"--he's so opposite from Clay that I didn't really know what I saw in him. He doesn't have near the voice Clay does, but there is just something about him that makes people pay attention. He has that allusive "IT" factor that Clay also has. Reading your essay helps me see that maybe Clay and Constantine are more alike than I realize.
5 - Eric Olsen
what happens is they are so divergent that they loop around and meet each other on the other side, kind of like extreme rightists and leftists
6 - Liz
FINALLY Someone understands a little of who Clay is. I never gave it a thought to compare Constantine to Clay, now that you pointed out some things some are true, not all. Clay is a much better singer and Clay is a great performer as you mentioned about his concerts, you just want more and more of Clay after seeing him perform. Constantine does have that adorable look as Clay. Thank you for your comments.
7 - Eric Olsen
the thing that has impressed is that originally I had the sense he thought he was too cool for this kind of nonsense, but he has totally bagged that and as Sticker says, thrown himsef fully into it
8 - Jacque
I loved Clay in American Idol and thought he should have won, beautiful voice, etc... but you cannot even compare him to Constatine. Constatine has a complete different ( emphasis on different) voice and just oozes sex appeal all over the place, he I think has much more versatility than Clay. Constantine can rock, do broadway and just about anything else. I think Clay is destined for bubblegum stardom which is fine, there is a place for that. But Constatine is on a whole other realm. That is like comparing cheese to pate'. Sorry JMO
9 - k-mom4...
I could not agree more. Constantine isn't the vocal powerhouse that Clay Aiken is, but he has the "IT" thing going for him. He is totally adorable! AI would be mad not to take him on tour with the top 10. Music isn't always about the voice, sometimes it's about the delivery. Best of luck to Constantine, and thanks to the author for the gratuitous(sp) Clay mentions. In concert- - he really does rock!!!
10 - LGinPA
Jacque said:
"he I think has much more versatility than Clay. "
How many live Clay Aiken concerts have you been to before you came to this conclusion? Clay can rock, Clay can sing soul, Clay can do any genre imaginable, plus Clay does have sex appeal. He did not have the chance to show this side on AI.
I do however love Constantine, and admit there is an appeal that I can not put a finger on. He will never, ever be able to match the versatility and incredible voice quality of Clay Aiken. Get thee to a Clay Aiken concert this summer. Tour dates are being announced now!
11 - clayaikenrulez1
Clay Aiken Rules!!!
12 - Catanomy
As others have noted, attend a Clay Aiken concert and you will forever be disabused of the idea that Clay has no versatility or sex appeal. Rock, soul, R&B, traditional AND contemporary Christmas songs, Clay excels in all of these genres.
I agree that Constantine is a big dork, and think a lot of the difference we see between him and Clay can be attributed to 2 factors:
1) age and experience: Constantine is 5 years older than Clay was when he was on AI, and also comes to the competition with much more professional taining and experience than Clay did.
2) a live band! Remember that AI2 contestants had to rely on pre-recorded music and backups, leaving no room to deviate from the 'program' should the inspiration hit. I truly believe that had America been able to see Clay with a live band on AI2, their concept of him would be completely different.
13 - jill ercillo
clay aiken rocks and so does constantine.
14 - karenforclay
Thank you, Sticker,for pointing out things that totally blew by me.I should have suspected something when Simon's comment about Constantine's smoldering good looks remined me immediately of Clay singing, "I Survived You."
Each week, I keep expecting to see Constantine come on stage wearing a gorgeous suit and a shorter impeccable hair style. May happen yet when this adorkable smiling fellow realizes he's beginning to steal hearts, right and left.
Constantine does not come close to singing as well as Clay, but there's room for another at the top who sincerely cares for his fans and is happiest being true to himself while singing the songs he truly believes in.
15 - Eric Olsen
by the way, Sticker asked me to mention that she is reading all of the comments and appreciates them, and she will comment herself as soon as we fix the firewall thing that is prohibiting her from leaving comments.
We got a little overzealous with it because of the comment spam.
16 - Karin
I worry for America's sanity. First Bush, now these two jokers.
Constantine is only like Aiken in that they are both laugh-inducing performers. Not in a good way. Plus, neither of them have "it". Not even close. Yep, they can do wonders with pictures of the in-real-life very unattractive. One more thing they have in common.
Yes, I have seen Aiken in concert. He most certainly can not rock nor can he adapt his prissy over-singing style to any genre. He is also not remotely sexy.
17 - TigerLily
Karin..bite your tongue..
18 - Sharon
Karin,
Perhaps you should worry about your own sanity...Clay's sold approximately 5,000,000 records now (MOAM, Christmas CD and the singles)and has done three virtually sold out tours across the country back to back. Maybe it's you who are missing something.
19 - Maggie
First of all I want to say to Karin, I don't believe you have ever been to a Clay Aiken concert, simply because if you hate him that much, why would you even spend the money?
Now. I love Clay. I also love Constantine. Thanks for this comparison. I feel that both have a vulnerability about them that may not be discernable to the public eye. Both are mischievous and both can sing. True, Constantine does not have the range and power and versatility in his voice that Clay has, but who really does? But I do believe both are versatile performers. The difference I see is that where Clay draws the line in rock songs, Constantine may take it and go further. Both have the IT factor and both in their own way have sex appeal. Constantine won't win this season as I believe it is already preordained by the Idol people, but I am hoping someone smart comes along and hands him a contract.
Rock on Clay
Rock on Constantine.
20 - Lala
Maggie, who said Karin's the one who spent the money on the concert ticket?
Topic: thanks to the author for pointing out Constantine's geeky side. It makes me appreciate him more.
21 - Mikala
First off as a fan of Clay's let me Thank-You for the objective comments and praise for him. We've grown accustomed to reading bashes about Clay so I was pleasantly surprised to find positive opinions. Now to add my 2-cents worth on Constantine there is just something about him that I (and many others have commented on the same)find creepy. Although he can sing well enough when he looks into the camera I get chills - and not the good kind. Can't put my finger on exactly what it is but it is NOT appealing. I also find performers who are enraptured with themselves to be a big turn off no matter how well they may sing. This all has nothing to do with the fact that I am a BIG fan of Clay's just an opinion that I have found others seem to share.
22 - Fan of Clay
hmmm... I don't buy it. Constantine is not a geek - he's a wannabe geek. I think that many on the "cool" side of the fence are suddenly realizing the new cool of geek, and while I may have considered the idea that Constantine is wanting to tap into that "new cool", I don't think he's smart enough. I had originally dubbed Constantine this year's Nikki McKibbin (cute, but can't sing to save his life); however, he's had a couple of reasonable performances since the debacles of "Kiss from a Rose" and "Every Little Thing"... So while I no longer hate him, I still think he is the long-lost twin of Sara Gilbert and wish him no better than top 8.
23 - Rachel
Both Clay and Constantine Rock!
24 - Dotty
Well, I have been to 13 Clay Aiken concerts and let me tell you he is very versatile and really knows how to please his fans. His voice is tremendous and yes he does have the "IT" factor. He can sing anything he puts his mind and heart to. His voice soothes my soul!
And I really like Constantine too. I think he may not have as powerful of a voice as Clay but he has a very nice tone to his voice and he has the showmanship that Clay has. Constantine has a nice smile and a special look about him just like Clay.
I liked this article as it gives much food for thought!
25 - FYI
Do you guys know that Constantine has been on Broadway shows such as: Les Miserables; landed the lead role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch; as well as Rent; He was also Judas in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar; and the list can go on. So please do your research before some of u say that he isnt as versatile as Clay. Here's a link of him in Hedwig: http://www.portlandphoenix.com/archive/theater/01/08/17/hedwig.html