David
05-11-2003, 03:38 PM
• The physical show of affection between Clay Aiken and contestant Carmen Rasmusen on an early show was a planned effort to get Rasmusen's on-again, off-again boyfriend jealous, Aiken says. It sparked worldwide rumors that the Aiken and Rasmusen were dating, which Aiken now denies.
• Aiken is allergic to coffee, chocolate, mint and shellfish. Just before his performance of Billy Joel's "Tell Her About It" a few weeks back, he accidentally ate mint in a fruit salad and had to have three cortisone shots to calm the allergic reaction.
• Last week, when Aiken, Ruben Studdard and Kimberley Locke were revealed as the top three vote-getters among the final six contestants, each flashed two fingers to judge Simon Cowell off-camera. It wasn't a peace sign; it was a reminder that all three of them had auditioned as part of "Group Two" when the show had 32 contestants.
• Yes, the contestants vote for themselves after each show. Said Aiken with a chuckle: "I check to make sure my line is working."
• Each contestant has free mobile phone use, courtesy of one of the show sponsors. Studdard's plays Sean Paul's song "Get Busy" when it rings. Aiken's plays the "American Idol" theme.
• Though the Hollywood mansion where the contestants are living has lost a resident each week, Aiken and U.S. Marine Joshua Gracin have continued to share a room above the garage. On a recent tour, it was as messy as a college dorm room, with piles of clothes, shoes and styling products strewn about. Gracin said Aiken tends to sing in his sleep.
• When "Malcolm in the Middle" star Frankie Muniz declared himself an Aiken fan at the premiere of "X2," it was a turnaround. Muniz had earlier been quoted supporting Studdard in a national entertainment magazine. Muniz confessed he didn't remember until he saw Aiken at the premiere that he and Aiken starred together in an N.C. production of "The Sound of Music" about six years ago.
• Until about four years ago, Aiken's name was Clayton Grissom. He got the last name from his biological father, to whom Aiken is not close. His stepfather, Ray Parker, died last year. Aiken legally changed his last name to his mother's maiden name; Clayton was shortened to Clay at the suggestion of the show's producers.
• Aiken is allergic to coffee, chocolate, mint and shellfish. Just before his performance of Billy Joel's "Tell Her About It" a few weeks back, he accidentally ate mint in a fruit salad and had to have three cortisone shots to calm the allergic reaction.
• Last week, when Aiken, Ruben Studdard and Kimberley Locke were revealed as the top three vote-getters among the final six contestants, each flashed two fingers to judge Simon Cowell off-camera. It wasn't a peace sign; it was a reminder that all three of them had auditioned as part of "Group Two" when the show had 32 contestants.
• Yes, the contestants vote for themselves after each show. Said Aiken with a chuckle: "I check to make sure my line is working."
• Each contestant has free mobile phone use, courtesy of one of the show sponsors. Studdard's plays Sean Paul's song "Get Busy" when it rings. Aiken's plays the "American Idol" theme.
• Though the Hollywood mansion where the contestants are living has lost a resident each week, Aiken and U.S. Marine Joshua Gracin have continued to share a room above the garage. On a recent tour, it was as messy as a college dorm room, with piles of clothes, shoes and styling products strewn about. Gracin said Aiken tends to sing in his sleep.
• When "Malcolm in the Middle" star Frankie Muniz declared himself an Aiken fan at the premiere of "X2," it was a turnaround. Muniz had earlier been quoted supporting Studdard in a national entertainment magazine. Muniz confessed he didn't remember until he saw Aiken at the premiere that he and Aiken starred together in an N.C. production of "The Sound of Music" about six years ago.
• Until about four years ago, Aiken's name was Clayton Grissom. He got the last name from his biological father, to whom Aiken is not close. His stepfather, Ray Parker, died last year. Aiken legally changed his last name to his mother's maiden name; Clayton was shortened to Clay at the suggestion of the show's producers.