Clay Aiken, born November 30, 1978, in Raleigh, North Carolina, is an American singer-songwriter who gained fame as the runner-up on the second season of American Idol in 2003. He has released multiple successful albums, including "Measure of a Man" and "Retry," selling over 5 million copies worldwide. Known for his warm baritone voice and pop-rock style, Aiken has received Grammy nominations and achieved several chart-topping singles. Beyond music, he is a dedicated philanthropist, founding the Clay Aiken Foundation in 2004 to support children's education and health initiatives. He is also an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.