Current:Home > NewsClay Aiken's son Parker, 15, makes his TV debut, looks like his father's twin -TradeStation
Clay Aiken's son Parker, 15, makes his TV debut, looks like his father's twin
View
Date:2025-04-19 16:26:43
Clay Aiken's son Parker is his mini-me!
The "American Idol" alum was joined by his son Parker Foster Aiken, 15, in the latter's television debut on "Celebrity Family Feud," which aired Tuesday.
Along with Clay Aiken's mother and brother, he was also joined by Jaymes Foster, Parker's mother and Clay Aiken's best friend. The family went head-to-head against David Foster and Katharine McPhee's family in the hit "Family Feud" spin-off show hosted by Steve Harvey.
The families are connected as well, as Jaymes Foster is David Foster's sister and David Foster has executive produced three of Aiken's albums.
Parker got in a few clever answers, including clinching the win on the question, "Name a famous Tom that a girl would love to go to the prom with" by suggesting Tom Holland despite Harvey's skepticism. Aiken's family eventually took the win for their charity, the National Inclusion Project.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Aiken first came to fame on Season 2 of "American Idol" and, like McPhee on Season 5, was runner-up. Aiken's season was won by Ruben Studdard, while McPhee's season was won by Taylor Hicks.
All 22 'American Idol' winners, ranked.How does your favorite fare?
Aiken first announced the birth of his son on his blog in 2008. "My dear friend, Jaymes, and I are so excited to announce the birth of Parker Foster Aiken," he wrote at the time. Soon after, Aiken came out as gay in a People magazine profile.
Aiken has been open about how coming out so publicly has affected him. He told Rolling Stone, in a June investigation into allegations of LGBTQ discrimination against "American Idol," that he credits the show for introducing him to his first boyfriend and giving him room to figure things out.
"If I had not done 'Idol,' I don’t even want to claim that I would not have come out," he said. "I hope to God that I would have, but I certainly would not have found that on my own for many, many more years."
He also reflected on the years-long obsession over his sexuality before coming out.
"I never did an interview where somebody was not trying to ask me if I was gay," he said. Verification of his sexual orientation "was the only thing that anybody in the press wanted."
The fixation was everywhere, especially with comedians, he said.
"If I heard anybody setting up a gay joke on a sitcom or a late-night show, I held my breath because I knew my name was coming," he said. "Eighty percent of the time I was right."
veryGood! (7264)
Related
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Josh Hall Mourns Death of Longtime Friend Gonzalo Galvez
- The Challenge’s CT and Derrick Reflect on Diem Brown’s Legacy Nearly 10 Years After Her Death
- New York City’s freewheeling era of outdoor dining has come to end
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Former national park worker in Mississippi pleads guilty to theft
- Where JoJo Siwa Stands With Candace Cameron Bure After Public Feud
- Why is 'Brightwood' going viral now? Here's what's behind the horror sensation
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- What Lauren Lolo Wood Learned from Chanel West Coast About Cohosting Ridiculousness
Ranking
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Former national park worker in Mississippi pleads guilty to theft
- Marathon swimmer who crossed Lake Michigan in 1998 is trying it again
- It Ends With Us Actress Isabela Ferrer Shares Sweet Way Blake Lively Helped With Her Red Carpet Look
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Tropical Storm Debby swirls over Atlantic, expected to again douse the Carolinas before moving north
- Microsoft hits back at Delta after the airline said last month’s tech outage cost it $500 million
- Baltimore city worker died from overheating, according to medical examiner findings
Recommendation
Could your smelly farts help science?
I signed up for an aura reading and wound up in tears. Here's what happened.
Enjoy this era of U.S. men's basketball Olympic superstars while you still can
Buca di Beppo files for bankruptcy and closes restaurants. Which locations remain open?
Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
Lionel Richie Shares Insight Into Daughter Sofia Richie's Motherhood Journey
Armand “Mondo” Duplantis breaks pole vault world record in gold-medal performance at Olympics
PHOTO COLLECTION: Harris and Walz first rally in Philadelphia