Actually, I don't hate cats, I'm just kind of afraid of them.
Clay Aiken

And I don't think that success can be measured by how many TV shows you're on.
Clay Aiken

And I think that when I finally decided to let go and let God and allow that to happen, I became a lot more successful than I could have done if I had planned it all myself.
Clay Aiken

But I was going to be a teacher my entire life, so I wasn't counting on money to much.
Clay Aiken

I auditioned just for fun.
Clay Aiken

I could have a degree in music and come on the show, and Simon could still say 'You stink'.
Clay Aiken

I decided to study special education and fell in love with working with individuals with autism. That's what I planned to do with my life.
Clay Aiken

I did get a degree in special education.
Clay Aiken

I got rid of my glasses and they changed my hair. That's really all they did. They went shopping for me, so the clothes are different too. It wasn't like Extreme Makeover where I got a nose job or anything.
Clay Aiken

I kind of had my life planned out for me. I'd be married at some point, have, you know, 1.5 children, and be a principal possibly one day. But I think that that was kind of my problem. I allowed myself to plan out my life and didn't let provident direction guide my life.
Clay Aiken


I know that I've got big ears and a big forehead and that my hair sticks up. But I'm happy with myself. I'm not necessarily trying to win a beauty pageant here.
Clay Aiken

I know this is going to sound cheesy and like I'm trying to be Miss America, but the most important responsibility a celebrity has is to set an example and be a role model.
Clay Aiken

I mean, that's kind of what this business is about in some ways. You're trying to make everybody like you. But you can't do that. You can't force everybody - anybody to like you if they're just not willing to do it.
Clay Aiken

I sometimes think I might be autistic because I like to know - I need to know - my beginnings and my ends. I don't have to be in control of it, but I need to know what's going on.
Clay Aiken

I think celebrities have an obligation to the public to not just sing or act.
Clay Aiken

I think I probably hoped for it a little bit, but I'm not an optimist. I'm a realist... or maybe even a pessimist.
Clay Aiken

I thought about that the other day after I went to the grocery store and had to sign fifteen autographs before leaving. On one hand, it's just so flattering. On the other hand, sometimes it would be nice to get the bread and leave, you know?
Clay Aiken

I want to make sure that no matter how long I go through this, I don't fall into the trap of changing and modifying how I do things that aren't a positive example. I want to remain somebody that the entire family can listen to or watch.
Clay Aiken

I was on TV for almost sixteen weeks during American Idol. It's at the point now where it's old.
Clay Aiken

I went to school for special education. I always assumed when I had the opportunity I would love to try and help kids with disabilities.
Clay Aiken