Weekly Reader - Kids Ask Clay Questions

Weekly Reader, a classroom magazine designed for kids and young adults, gave the chance for kids to ask Clay some questions about his musical career and humanitarian efforts. Go to Weekly Reader's website to read the full interview. Weekly Reader also has a great profile page for Clay at their website - check that out too!

Here are some of the highlights from the Q&A/interview:

1. What was it like over in Afghanistan and how were you able to help children through UNICEF?
—Nicole C., age 16

Clay Aiken: The people of Afghanistan were extremely friendly and gracious. Everywhere we traveled, we were greeted warmly. With the exception of visiting my grandparents, I have never felt more welcomed. Since 1949, UNICEF has been working for the survival and development of children in Afghanistan. I witnessed UNICEF's extraordinary education work, which has helped hundreds of thousands of children return to school, provided them with school supplies, trained thousands of teachers, built hundreds of schools or provided tents so children can study sheltered from the weather. And it's not only children who are receiving an education through UNICEF-supported programs. Women, who were forbidden an education under the Taliban regime, now walk for almost an hour to learn how to read and write and experience formal education for the first time.

5. Who was the first person who brought music to your life?
—Fares A., age 11

Clay Aiken: My mom. She believed in me from the beginning, and kept telling me that my voice would take me places. She believed in me more than I believed in myself and was always there to encourage me.

6. What made you go on American Idol?
—Sierra S., age 11

Clay Aiken: At the time I was working with a boy with autism named Mike Bubel. I became very close with him and his whole family and his mother Diane. Diane is the one who kept encouraging me to audition and finally I did.

9. Do you like being famous?
—Samantha B., age 14

Clay Aiken: Sometimes it's really hard, but I always remind myself of the great opportunities that have come with it and am thankful for the way I have been able to use my voice to help children around the world.