Clay Building New Home in Raleigh Area - Raleigh News & Observer Story

Two articles (that are essentially the same) about Clay moving back to Raleigh appeared in today's Raleigh News & Observer. The latter is from the Associated Press wire which means it will be picked up by media outlets nationwide.

Article 1

Claymates, your guy's coming home
Singer's L.A. digs are up for grabs

Clay Aiken is keeping his furnishings, all from Carolina.

By MATT EHLERS AND WETA RAY CLARK, Staff Writers

For the connoisseur of Clay, this could be the ultimate souvenir.
Clay Aiken is coming home -- and his 7,800-square-foot California home is on the market. The house in Los Angeles County has six bedrooms, 6 1/2 baths, a swimming pool, massage room and "sports court." He's asking $2.495 million.

Fans got a peek inside this week, by way of a virtual tour set up by the real estate company. On the Web, voyeurs could see pictures of Aiken's bedroom, living room and bathrooms.

But -- sorry, Claymates -- the link was disabled late Monday.

Aiken, 26, who soared to fame on "American Idol," is building a home in the Triangle. But during a backstage interview before his recent concert in Cary, he wouldn't say exactly where.

He hopes his next home is a bit homier. "Whether this ride lasts for one year or 10 years, I want to have a home base," he said.

Aiken's mom, Faye Parker, decorated his California home, which he bought in September. But once a Carolina boy, always a Carolina boy: All of the furniture came from North Carolina, he said, except a Virginia recliner, "which fell apart."

Despite the move to new digs, Mom's work won't go to waste.

"All the stuff, curtains, fabrics and whatever else is coming too," Aiken said.

Article 2

Singer Clay Aiken selling L.A. home, moving back to Raleigh

The Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Crooner Clay Aiken is selling his Los Angeles-area home to return to his North Carolina hometown.

The Raleigh native declined to tell The News & Observer of Raleigh exactly where he's building his new home.

"Whether this ride lasts for one year or 10 years, I want to have a home base," said Aiken, 26.

The pop star who soared to fame as a runner-up on the TV series "American Idol" in 2003 has rarely been at the Mediterranean-style, six-bedroom home he bought new last fall for $2.3 million, The Los Angeles Times reported.

The 7,800-square-foot home was new when the singer bought it and rests on more than an acre in a private, rural area of the San Fernando Valley that is zoned to allow horses, the Times said. The house has 6 1/2 bathrooms, a pool, a spa, a gazebo and a sports court.

Aiken listed the house in March for $2.5 million and expects to close escrow next month, the Times reported.

Aiken's mother, Faye Parker, decorated his California home with North Carolina furniture. The work won't go to waste despite the move, he said.

"All the stuff, curtains, fabrics and whatever else is coming, too," Aiken said.