Clay Aiken released his new single ‘Bring Back My Love’ on iTunes (Decca) on Decmeber 20th. The song is the first single released by the ‘American Idol’ season two runner-up since 2008′s ‘On My Way Here’, with his first album on Decca ‘Tried and True’ having no singles or radio play. Listen to the track at MySpace.

AOL Music’s PopEater spent a day with Clay Aiken in New York City as he was promoting his latest album ‘Tried and True’. The ‘American Idol’ alum talked about the decision to reveal he was gay two years ago and being nervous about the reaction he’d get from the public. “When anybody comes out, there are going to be people who are supportive and people who are not,” Aiken explained. “Obviously, I was doing ‘Spamalot’ at the time and I was kind of nervous. I specifically remember that night, thinking, ‘OK, I’m going to walk out prepared to be booed,’ and nobody did. And people were very supportive. People have been very supportive throughout the whole process and it didn’t really change.” Watch footage below.

Clay Aiken spoke with CBS News’ Shira Lazar on how he chose the songs for his latest album ‘Tried and True’, collaborations on the CD, and what to expect from his upcoming tour with fellow ‘American Idol’ season two alum Ruben Studdard. “He’s one of my favorite people in the world and I’ve always wanted to work with him,” Clay said of Ruben. “I love watching him perform, he’s one of the best performers I know, and we have a great time together.” Watch the interview via cnet.com below.

In a interview with Washington DC’s FOX 5, Clay Aiken promoted his new CD ‘Tried and True’ and upcoming ‘Timeless’ tour which kicks off this summer. The ‘American Idol’ alum talked about teaming up with Ruben Studdard on the tour, which Clay said was “something we always wanted to do”, adding that it will be more of a collaborative show a la Sonny and Cher. Clay added that the new album tackling the hits from the fifties and sixties was “really sort of where I wanted to be from the beginning. These are songs that I’m far more connected to.” Watch the interview via myfoxdc.com below.

Clay Aiken appeared on ‘The View’ on Wednesday (June 2), where the singer said that he didn’t reveal he was gay when rising to fame in 2003 on the second season of ‘American Idol’ because he wasn’t sure of his sexual preference. “I probably didn’t quite realize then, at the time, what was going on,” Aiken said. “There’s a lot of stuff in the industry, in the media industry, there’s pressure from different sides. I think you have to learn to love yourself first and then when you do that you’re ready.” Clay revealed he was gay in September 2008 for a People magazine cover story.

Watch his ‘Unchained Melody’ performance on the ABC program and an exit interview with Clay and Belinda Carlisle of The Go-Go’s via YouTube below the cut. Continue reading →

Clay Aiken is out with a promotional spot for his new album ‘Tried & True’, which will be available June 1st via Decca. The CD features the ‘American Idol’ alum taking on eleven timeless hits, including ‘Suspicious Minds’, ‘Mack The Knife’, ‘Misty’ and more. Watch the 39-second commercial via YouTube below the cut. Continue reading →