Clayton Holmes Grissom was born in Raleigh, North Carolina 30 November 1978 to his mother, Faye Aiken Parker and his late father, Vernon Grissom. When Clay was a teenager, he had a love for teaching and helping young children and later on studied to became a school teacher. When he was about 23 years old, a longtime friend persuaded him to audition for American Idol. When he was 25 years old he released his debut album, "Measure of a Man." (singles from his debut album include: "Invisible," "This Is The Night" and "The Way") His debut album sold over 600,000 copies in the USA in its first week of release. It has sold almost 2.5 million in the US as of 4/16/04.
Changed his last name, Grissom, to his mother's maiden name, Aiken. Was a special education major at UNC-Charlotte Worked for the YMCA in Raleigh, North Carolina Shortened Clayton to Clay after a suggestion from the producers of "American Idol". Recorded two CDs entitled "Redefined" and "Look What Love Has Done" prior to American Idol. These CDs are no longer available. Mother is Faye Aiken Parker; late step-father, Ray Parker; step-brother, Jeff; step-sister, Amy and half-brother, Brett. In the first week of the release of his single, it sold over 393,000 copies, the most since Elton John's "Candle in the Wind." His single, 'This Is The Night', went platinum in the US, and 6 times platinum in Canada. Founded the Bubel/Aiken Foundation to include children with neurological disabilities in activities with typical children. Named the foundation for Diane Bubel, the mother of a child with autism he worked with in North Carolina, who persuaded him to audition for American Idol. His freshman album, Measure of a Man, shipped double platinum. Shared a house in L.A with former American Idol contestant Kimberley Locke Plans to release one album in 2004, a Christmas album His song, "The Way," was co-written by Enrique Iglesias. His biological father, Vernon Grissom, died February 27, 2004. His stepfather, Ray Parker, died on July 4, 2002. Was the one and only contestant on the 2nd season of American Idol that was never voted in the bottom two or three. As of April 15, 2004, his single, "Solitaire," sold 191,132 copies. His first album went triple platinum. Shares a birthday with the following celebrities: Ben Stiller, 80s punk rocker Billy Idol, "8 Simple Rules..." star Kaley Cuoco, "24" star Elisha Cuthbert and Dick Clark. Was born with a collapsed lung. Christmas album, titled Merry Christmas with Love, came out on November 16th, 2004. First book, titled Learning to Sing, came out on November 19th, 2004. Got his first name (Clayton) from his grandmother's maiden name. He claims it is a Southern Tradition. (Source: "Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music In Your Life," by Clay Aiken) Had three major tours in the year 2004 (The Independent Tour in Spring, the Clay Aiken Solo Tour 2004 in Summer, and the Joyful Noise Tour in Winter) Ranked #18 in TV Guide's list of "TV's 25 Greatest Teen Idols" (23 January 2005 issue). Has sold more albums and had more #1s then any other American Idol contestant behind Kelly Clarkson 5 September 2006 - President Bush selected him to serve on the President's Committee for People With Intellectual Disabilities.