Recording artist Clay Aiken has spoken candidly about a nearly two-decade-old on-air interaction with television host Kelly Ripa, an event he characterizes as triggering the most devastating period of his life.
During a recent discussion on the "Hollywood Raw" podcast, the acclaimed former contestant from "American Idol" revisited the 2006 episode that unfolded while he was serving as a guest co-host on "Live with Regis and Kelly." The contentious moment began when Aiken playfully covered Ripa's mouth with his hand during a live segment.
Aiken disclosed that he has not engaged in direct conversation with Ripa since the incident, despite their paths intersecting at various public gatherings over the past two decades.
"Maybe I should feel bad that I have not gone up and said something myself, but she hasn’t either. We’re talking about something that happened … 20 years ago this year, which became this huge blowup," he stated.
"That was the most catastrophic week of my life, to be honest with you … No one would remember but me because I was the one with the scars," Aiken added.
The On-Air Exchange and Its Immediate Fallout
The singer elaborated on his experience co-hosting with Ripa, explaining that his participation aimed to demonstrate his capabilities as an independent host.
"I’m on the show because I wanted to show them I could handle this myself. I could host something, and I wasn’t getting to talk," he remarked.
Aiken asserted that despite having cue cards with his name, he found himself unable to deliver his lines, which prompted his decision to place his hand over Ripa's mouth.
"I tried to be funny, and I did what I did, which was incredibly innocent. And then it got a little cold in the room," he recalled.
He instantly recognized that the humorous gesture had not been well-received, sensing the shift in the audience's mood.
"Is that a no-no?" Aiken remembered asking Ripa.
"Oh, that’s a no, no, no. Don’t know where that hand’s been, honey," Ripa responded at the time.
Aiken mentioned that he couldn't pinpoint the exact moment he and Ripa ceased interacting, but he remembered it occurring after Regis Philbin's return to the daytime talk program.
Ripa's Public Stance and the Homophobia Accusation
Following the event, Ripa characterized Aiken's behavior as "hostile."
"There was a lack of respect, and when you’re a certain person, you’re in the public eye, you have to be respectful of other people," she commented at the time, as reported by Page Six.
"And I don’t think that he was respectful in any way," she continued. "If that upsets his fans, I’m sorry to hear that, but you don’t put your hands over somebody’s face and mouth when they’re conducting an interview, even if it’s for a laugh. And that’s all I’m gonna say."
The controversy escalated when Rosie O'Donnell criticized Ripa on "The View," labeling her reaction as "homophobic." At that point, Aiken had not publicly disclosed his sexual orientation. Ripa subsequently called into the show to defend herself, which then steered the conversation towards Aiken's personal life.
"I have three kids. He’s shaking hands with everybody in the audience. I mean, it’s cold and flu season. That’s what I meant. To imply that it’s anything homophobic is outrageous, Rosie, and you know better. You should be more responsible," Ripa asserted.
Reflecting on a Public "Outing"
Looking back, Aiken noted that only a select group of individuals were aware of his sexuality at the time.
"I was not out at the time. I was to Rosie … I was out to people who I knew, but I wasn’t publicly out about it," he affirmed.
Aiken further explained that he had not even come out to certain members of his own family, including his grandparents.
"Not only does Rosie call it a homophobic remark — which I think she accidentally said, and then she tried to walk it back a little bit — but then Kelly calls in live to 'The View' that day, and they get in an argument over it."
"Not only did she out me, but they had a big argument about whether I was gay and who talked about me being gay," he recounted.
In response to the growing public scrutiny, Aiken's publicist and several interns reportedly compiled video evidence showing previous instances where Ripa had similarly placed her hand over his mouth.
"The tides sort of turned," he observed.
Aiken also disclosed that he sent Ripa flowers as an apology. According to Aiken, Ripa later extended an invitation for him to reappear on the show. While he stated he has "tried" to arrange another appearance, he claims these efforts have not been successful.
