New Q&A with Clay

Drawing inspiration from his faith

New book, album due next month affirm Aiken's Christian roots

LEIGH DYER
Staff Writer

Clay Aiken, who broke out as a pop star on TV's "American Idol" last year, is more publicly expressing his Christian faith these days. He's added a Christian song to his solo concerts, is frequently seen with his WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) bracelet, and has a Christmas album and an inspirational book headed to shelves next month.

As his concert heads to Paramount's Carowinds tonight, Aiken, a former Charlotte resident, talked to the Observer by phone about his faith's influence on his career. The conversation is edited for length and clarity.

Q. Do you want to take your music more toward the Christian genre?
I sing one (Christian) song on tour, and I'll probably continue to make an effort to do at least one every time I do a show. With the Christmas album, it's a Christian holiday, so it'll definitely have (hymns) on there.

The book is about how I became who I am. I couldn't do a book about myself without talking about God and my faith. But I don't (criticize) anyone who doesn't believe the same way I do. I talk about how this is the way I'm going to make it to heaven, but I really hope that people I care about and know who have different faiths and different belief systems, that they find heaven and peace as well.

When the next album comes out, you'll hear very similar stuff to what you've already heard.

Q. So you want to be a pop star who happens to be a Christian, not of the Christian genre?
Yes. I think it's possible to be a Christian and let people know what your faith is (while singing pop songs). I think there's a fine line you can walk.

I'm not trying to do anything but be myself. I'm not in any way trying to be this type of artist or that type of artist.

Q. But you're in an industry that relentlessly tries to package people. You must find that a challenge.
The folks at the record label (RCA Records), one minute they want me to be edgy and top 40, and the next minute they want me to be more adult contemporary. I don't think people know what to do with me.

I've given up on trying to define, to draw lines. I sing what I like to sing and I do what I enjoy doing. If people listen, they do, and if they don't, they don't.

Q. Do you find yourself wanting to find ways to prolong your career?
I enjoy what I'm doing, and I try to do my best to make decisions that will prolong the success I'm having now. What I could do to make myself be here in 40 years, I'd probably do, within reason.

Q. How do you define the lines you won't cross?
It's a gut reaction. You say `Oh wait, that just doesn't feel right to me. That's not something my mama would be happy with.'

If they said to me, `If you want to continue being here in this industry, you're going to have to start singing about sex and you're going to have to do a video where you're hooking up with some girl.' Well, I'm not going to do that.

Q. What if they said in order to stay in this business, you have to entirely market yourself as a Christian artist?
It would depend on the situation. That's not something that contradicts my beliefs.

Q. Would it pigeonhole you?
It would pigeonhole you if you think that's a bad place to be. So would having sex with somebody on a video. I would much rather be pigeonholed in a wholesome genre than in a trashy one.