Clay Aiken (born Clayton Holmes Grissom on November 30, 1978) is an American pop singer who began his rise to fame on the second season of the television program American Idol in 2003. Based on album sales surpassed only by Idol winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, Aiken has become the most successful male and the most successful runner-up in that show's history."No Love for 'Idol' Losers" by Corey Moss, MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-06-23."Idol sales standings: A fairly exhaustive list" by Ken Barnes, USA Today (11/09/06). Retrieved 2006-11-23.

In the years following his American Idol appearance Aiken has launched eight tours, authored a New York Times best-selling book Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life with Allison Glock, and was the executive producer for a 2004 televised Christmas special, A Clay Aiken Christmas. He has been a frequent talk show guest, particularly on The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live, appeared as a guest star on Scrubs, participated in comedy skits on Kimmel and Saturday Night Live, and made his Broadway debut playing the role of Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot in January 2008.Clay Aiken meets Monty Python CNN.com. Retrieved 2008-02-05

Aiken created the Bubel/Aiken Foundation in 2003, accepted a UNICEF ambassadorship in 2004,ProfilesCelebrity_AmbassadorsWho_We_AreUS_Fund_for_UNICEF.htm US Fund for UNICEF website, Aiken page, and in 2006 was appointed for a two year term by President George W. Bush to a committee that acts in an advisory capacity to the President and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on matters relating to programs and services for persons with intellectual disabilities.US Dept of Health and Human Services Official Website for The President's committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.