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N E W S F R O M
T H E D E P A R T M E N T
Clay Aiken’s
“American Idol” Clothes From March 11 Performance On Exhibit
It’s hard to believe that less than a year ago, Raleigh’s
Clay Aiken was one of 12 finalists sweating it out on “American
Idol.” Last March 11 his rendition of the Four Tops hit “I
Can’t Help Myself,” along with a hipper look, kept the votes
pouring in and the public screaming for more.
Clay sported spiked hair and designer clothes for the Motown-themed show,
an early round of the competition. The white Italian-made shirt, black
pinstriped pants and shoes he wore for the performance will be on exhibit
at the N.C. Museum of History beginning Tuesday, March 2, the day after
Clay’s second sold-out concert in Raleigh. The “American Idol”
runner-up headlined with Kelly Clarkson, the 2002 “American Idol”
winner, at the RBC Center on their nationwide “Independent”
tour.
“Today’s popular culture often becomes tomorrow’s history;
we are pleased to have objects connected to Clay Aiken’s early success,”
says Elizabeth F. Buford, director, N.C. Museum of History and Division
of State History Museums. Clay donated the items, on exhibit until Sept.
6, which will become part of the museum’s permanent collection.
The singer’s amazing makeover, “American Idol” success
and nice-guy charm have catapulted him on a star-studded journey. The
far-from-invisible “average guy” has experienced a whirlwind
year of incredible success. His 2003 debut single, “This Is the
Night,” received the Billboard Music Award for Best-Selling Single
of Year. His first album, “Measure of a Man,” debuted on the
Billboard 200 at number one and went double platinum. The CD features
his popular hits “Invisible” and “The Way.”
Clay’s popularity was sealed when he won the Fan’s Choice
Award at the 2003 American Music Awards. His grueling schedule has included
appearances on “Late Night with David Letterman” and “PrimeTime
Live,” to name a few. He has been featured on the cover of Rolling
Stone and in People, Newsweek, Time and other national magazines. Last
year Clay took time from his busy schedule to launch the Bubel/Aiken Foundation
to benefit special-needs children.
The future is bright for this 25-year-old from Raleigh. Drop by the N.C.
Museum of History to see the clothes that wardrobe stylists selected to
help shape Clay’s “look” on March 11, a day that pushed
him one step closer to phenomenal success. Copies of “Measure of
a Man” are available for purchase in the Museum Shop.
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