AMERICAN IDOL - AIKEN: 'I DIDN'T LIE TO FANS'

AIKEN: 'I DIDN'T LIE TO FANS'

AMERICAN IDOL star CLAY AIKEN's fear of alienating fans did not dissuade him from revealing his homosexuality in a recent interview - because he refuses to "lobby" for their support.
The singer revealed he was homosexual in the new issue of U.S. magazine People after enduring a string of reports questioning his sexuality.
Featured in a photospread with his new baby son Parker on the cover, Aiken admits he struggles with the idea of losing fans over the admission, but has spoken out in the hope that the truth won't affect their support.
He tells the magazine, "Of course I struggle with that. I think my bigger concern would be to let people know that I've never intended to lie to anybody at all. The truth is I didn't answer questions. If I felt that I was lied to, I would probably be upset.
"I'll tell you what I've kind of explained to my mum: it's not like I just became gay. I was when I was 18 - I just wasn't telling them. The fans, if they leave, they leave... I'm not lobbying to keep them being supportive. I sure hope they do. But I am more interested in them knowing I care about them even if they don't care about me."