|
Raleigh, N.C - In his hometown of Raleigh, N.C., there
may be no doubt, but throughout the rest of the country, there
is only hope—hope that just maybe, quite possibly Clay
Aiken, the 24-year-old American Idol finalist and singing
sensation might not be gay, but instead be just "really
sensitive."
With just three singers left competing for the once in a
lifetime opportunity of instant fame and an all-but-guaranteed
recording career, Clay Aiken sits on a perch that most amateurs
can only dream of. In just 16 weeks, the gangly southerner
with the big ears and giant voice has become the dreamboat
recipient of puppy love crushes all over the country.
There are group prayers. There are makeshift
candlelit shrines dedicated to the towheaded breakout star,
known just as much for his kind words towards his competition
and tireless work with autistic children as he is for belting
out such classics as "Unchained Melody" and "Solitaire."
The girls scream his name. They write love
letters. But are they kidding themselves?
Jamie Winters and her friends at Raleigh High
School are adamant. Clay Aiken is the sweetest, cutest and
most sensitive contestant on American Idol, they say. And
they wish he will someday marry one of them or perhaps escort
them to prom.
"His eyes are so romantic," the
15-year-old freshman gushes after watching him perform Tuesday
night. "I bet he would make an incredible boyfriend or
husband. He sings with so much love and passion. And he takes
care of retarded kids!"
But is the love and passion the same kind
Paul Anka once sang or the kind that is illegal in several
states, including North Carolina?
"He is gayer than the gayest gay guy
in the entire gay world," says 16-year-old Josh Austin,
who dated Winters for two months just before the second American
Idol season began. "I am so sick of every girl in this
state talking about that gay guy. He's so gay my butt hurts
just looking at him."
"How many times do I have to tell you,"
Winters retorts in what clearly is an ongoing argument between
the couple. "He was never good at sports so he developed
his other talents instead. That doesn't mean he's gay!"
"Gay, gay, gay, gay, gay, gay, gay,"
Austin taunts.
"I bet he's a great kisser and wouldn't
push a girl to go farther than she was comfortable with,"
Winters says loudly. "He would be gentle and take it
slow and write poetry and hold your hand in church. It's obvious
he's still a virgin."
"Oh God, maybe he is gay."
|
