Clay Aiken: Birth of Son Most Important Event of 2008

Pop star Clay Aiken reflects on why having his son was the most eventful thing to happen to him during the past year.

"At the end of the day, Parker is the most important thing of the year, and of my life, without question," Aiken, 30, tells People magazine. "Having a son and that type of responsibility is obviously going to be something that I remember forever."

Aiken, who shot to fame after finishing as a runner-up on "American Idol"'s second season in 2003, also generated much publicity this year when he confirmed he is gay in a September interview with People. That announcement followed the Aug. 8 birth of his first child, Parker, with his best friend, music producer Jaymes Foster, 50.

The singer says he is grateful for the outpouring of support after coming out. "We've been very impressed and my heart has been thoroughly warmed to find people very supportive," he tells the magazine. He says he plans to return to full-time fatherhood with Foster in his native North Carolina after Jan. 4, when he finishes his run on Broadway as Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot.

Published 12/21/08 by