Nearly two decades after one of television’s most talked-about celebrity interviews, Clay Aiken is opening up about the awkward on-air exchange with Kelly Ripa that unexpectedly became one of the biggest controversies of his career. 
Appearing on the June 24 episode of the Hollywood Raw podcast, the 47-year-old singer looked back on his 2006 appearance on Live with Regis and Kelly, describing the fallout as something he never imagined would spiral so dramatically.
“We’re talking about something in, what, 2006? Twenty years ago this year, which became this huge blowup,” Aiken recalled. “That was probably the most catastrophic week of my life, to be honest with you.”
The moment remains memorable for many viewers. During the interview, Aiken briefly placed his hand over Kelly Ripa’s mouth in what he says was meant as a playful attempt to interrupt after struggling to get a chance to speak.
Ripa, however, later criticized the gesture publicly, describing it as “hostility” and “impropriety.” 
The incident quickly generated widespread headlines and became an even bigger topic after The View discussed it on-air. Then-cohost Rosie O’Donnell suggested Ripa’s reaction came across as homophobic, a claim Ripa later rejected during a live phone call to the program.
Reflecting on that period, Aiken explained that the controversy became especially difficult because he had not yet publicly come out.
“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,” Aiken told host Dax Holt. “I wasn’t out to my grandparents and the people in my family. Then Rosie called it a homophobic remark—which I think she accidentally said before trying to walk it back—and Kelly called into The View that same day, and they argued about it.”
Looking back, Aiken insists there was never any bad intention behind his actions.
“It was incredibly innocent,” he explained. “I was on the show because I wanted to prove I could host something myself, but I wasn’t getting the chance to talk. There were cue cards with my name on them, so I simply tried to make a joke.”
The former American Idol finalist later even poked fun at the incident alongside Tori Spelling during the American Music Awards. He also sent flowers to Ripa afterward as a gesture to smooth things over.
According to Aiken, Ripa eventually reached out to him personally.
“She apologized for everything becoming blown out of proportion,” he recalled. “She told me, ‘Come back on the show anytime.'”
Although the situation has long since faded, Aiken admitted the two have never really revisited the subject despite occasionally crossing paths at television events and industry gatherings.
“We’ve been at some of the same openings and events,” he joked. “Maybe I should feel bad that I haven’t gone over and said anything. But she hasn’t either.”
What was once one of entertainment’s most talked-about television moments has ultimately become a story both appear to have left behind—though nearly 20 years later, it still remains one of the most unforgettable chapters of Clay Aiken’s career.
Source: Daily Mail
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
