Clay still Clayton despite ‘Idol’ changes

BY GEOFFREY GRAYBEAL : The Herald-Sun
ggraybeal@heraldsun.com
May 20, 2003 : 10:24 pm ET

DURHAM -- I don’t really know Clay Aiken.

But I remember Clayton Grissom quite well, since he was one of my best friends at Leesville Road middle and high schools. Although mutual friends have kept me informed of his latest happenings, we’ve lost touch somewhat over the years though I still consider him a friend.

The past few months, watching that friend of 12 years, Clayton Grissom, transform into "American Idol" finalist Clay Aiken has been surreal.

A few years ago, Clayton legally changed his name, taking his mother’s maiden name as a way to honor her. Best I can tell, he dropped the "ton" to sound cooler for the contest.

As a legion of fans has emerged for the talented singer, and women young and old swoon over the emerging star, I just smile. All these Claymates. All this attention. All for Clayton.

The same Clayton who was co-copy editor of the middle school yearbook with me.

Then, I click on the TV.

There’s super gorgeous model/actress Brooke Burke melting as Clay sings "Unchained Melody." The same Clayton who as a middle-school student helped teach gym class to elementary school students for an hour a day.

Back on the tube, there’s Clay on "Oprah." The same Clayton who was a broadcast journalist in the middle school’s first student newscast, WLMS.

I hop on the World Wide Web. Click.

Clay face adorns countless magazines, newspapers and fan Web sites across the world

And I think back to Clayton who in 1997 brought the crowd at a packed Raleigh Memorial Auditorium to its feet during Wake County schools’ annual arts showcase "Pieces of Gold."

I check my e-mail. There’s a photo from a friend.

It’s Clay re-united in Hollywood with four high school friends who made the trip to watch him live.

The same Clayton who often served as a designated driver for those very friends and others after parties.

These are a few of the memories I have. This is the Clayton I know. There have been some slight changes, of course, but Clay is still Clayton.

That same self-confidence is there.

Clayton believes he can accomplish anything and then sets out to do it. Don’t believe me? Listen to his first "Idol" audition in Atlanta where judge Simon Cowell asks him why he’s here. Clayton’s response?

"I’m the American Idol."

When asked if he saw the first show, Clayton, then-contestant No. 5230, boldly declares that talent-wise he easily could have been in the top 10. Though few would have agreed at the time, my how right he was.

For many years, music has been a big part of who Clayton is. He has used that amazing God-given talent to perform whether it was in the school chorus or belting out the national anthem at Dorton Arena for the now-defunct minor league hockey team, the Raleigh IceCaps.

Music was never really Clayton’s first career choice, however. He wanted to be a journalist, then a politician, then a teacher.

Although his career goals have changed over the years, the determination has remained with each pursuit.

On "Idol", however, Clay seemed somewhat muted at first. The Clayton I know would have had a sharp-tongued reply for some of the harsh criticism from brutally honest judge Cowell.

Clay(ton)’s sarcasm, wit and sense of humor seems to still be intact. Remember the Ford commercial where all the Idol contestants are pimped out except Clay at first. Aside from the Alfalfa part, the red-haired bespectacled goofy looking dork that emerged is Clayton. That’s Clay spoofing Clayton. Priceless.

Obviously, the look has changed the most. Clayton has gone Hollywood. The glasses are no more. The spiked morning hair look a la host Ryan Secrest is the new ’do. Stylin’. Profilin’.

And of course folks certainly treat Clayton differently now. Fame seems to do that. The slightly dorky kid who some classmates made fun of and picked on is now the talk of the town. Gov. Mike Easley promised him his own bridge. Fans flock to him. Even other celebrities come to hear him sing. And who can blame them?

America loves Clay.

And I can only grin. And shake my head in disbelief. I don’t need the contest to reaffirm what I already know. That’s my friend. Clayton Grissom.

The American Idol.