Jill O'Rourke
Jill O’Rourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like ‘AGT,’ ‘The Voice,’ and ‘American Idol.’ She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit
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| April 23, 2023 SIGN IN TO SAVE POST
Photo by Walter McBride/Getty ImagesReading Time: 2 minutes
American Idol Season 2 winner and runner-up Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken recently sat down for a conversation about their experience on the reality show. Aiken revealed that it was during the filming of Idol that he realized he was gay.
Clay Aiken Says He Realized He Was Gay on American Idol
To mark 20 years since they finished in first and second place on American Idol, Studdard and Aiken are in the midst of a tour that will come to a close on May 16, shortly before they appear on the season finale of Idol Season 21 on May 21.
In a segment shared by Entertainment Tonight, the two singers open up about their first impressions of each other when they were competing on the show back in 2003. Studdard explained that he first saw Aiken surrounded by women and assumed he was “mackadocious.” That turned out to be wrong, as Aiken later came out as gay.
In fact, Aiken shared that he “came out on Idol, to myself,” explaining, “I had never really realized that I was gay, until I met someone who worked on the show, and who…”
Studdard attempted to finish his sentence, saying this person “kind of told you,” to which Aiken responded, “Well, in a way or another.” That made Studdard laugh.
SEE ALSO: CLAY AIKEN, RUBEN STUDDARD ANNOUNCE 2023 TOUR, TALK ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ COMEBACK
Aiken Knew Studdard Won Before the Announcement
During their conversation, Studdard asked Aiken what he was thinking when host Ryan Seacrest announced him as the winner. Aiken revealed that he actually knew Studdard had won before the official announcement.
“Right before they were walking out, Ryan was going through his cards, and I saw the card that had your name on it,” Aiken admitted, adding of the moment it was announced, “I’m actually staring right at you when your name was called.”
Meanwhile, Aiken asked Studdard which of the current American Idol judges he would have liked to have on their season. Studdard responded, “I’m a Katy Perry fan.”
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