Clay Aiken first garnered public attention after securing second place in the second season of "American Idol" in 2003, marking the start of a successful music career. His debut album "Measure of a Man" promptly went multi-platinum. Over the years, he released various albums under RCA and Decca Records, with notable titles including "Merry Christmas with Love" and "Steadfast." Aiken's music accolades include the Fan's Choice Award at the American Music Awards and the Billboard Award for the Best-Selling Single of 2003. His musical endeavors were not limited to the recording studio.

He made his Broadway debut in "Spamalot" as Sir Robin and later starred in "Ruben & Clay's First Annual Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Christmas Show." Aiken competed in the fifth season of "The Celebrity Apprentice" and emerged as the runner-up. His participation in reality TV extended to "The Masked Singer" in 2024, and he appeared in TV series like "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Aiken also ventured into politics, running for the United States House of Representatives in North Carolina's 2nd congressional district in 2014 and North Carolina's 4th congressional district in 2022. Despite not winning, his political participation showcased his willingness to engage in public discourse and advocacy, particularly on issues related to inclusion and rights. Moreover, he advocated for inclusion through the National Inclusion Project, which he co-founded, aiming to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities. His service as a UNICEF ambassador from 2004 to 2013 further demonstrated his commitment to social issues.

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