Hopefully Raise Awareness
of the Importance of Children's Education

LARRY KING, Host: Tonight Clay Aiken, the one time American Idol1) runner-up is now a star in his own right. We welcome Clay Aiken. We have a major announcement to make tonight. First let's deal with the announcement. Tell us.

CLAY AIKEN, Singer: Well, my announcement, I guess I am... it's kind of exciting. I've had the opportunity to work with some people at UNICEF, and they've asked me to be an ambassador for UNICEF. So I'm going to start working with them, in conjunction with the foundation that we've started to... The foundation's for individuals with disabilities. And including them into programs with kids without disabilities.

And with UNICEF, I'm going to be working to promote the importance of education for all children throughout the world. So it's an exciting opportunity for me to do some traveling and to hopefully make a difference outside of the U.S. and a number of countries.

KING: So, the official title is "UNICEF ambassador for education for all children?"
AIKEN: Yes. There are 120 million kids in the world right now who don't go to school. Who have no edu... who have no access to education. So hopefully we'll raise awareness.

It was Bittersweet But It was an Opportunity

KING: The weird thing, Clay, is you've gotten so famous, so many big things have happened to you, and you didn't win (on American Idol). OK, what did you really feel like?
AIKEN: Well, you know what, I knew he won before Ryan made the announcement. I had seen the card backstage, but...

KING: You saw the card?
AIKEN: Yes. I saw the card. It wasn't completely hidden. And I looked over and saw it. So, I kind of knew.
KING: What did you think then?
AIKEN: Well, I thought I better prepare myself to not look upset21) when I lose.

Fortunately we found out that the runner-up our particular year was going to get a record contract also. So it was kind of a... it was bittersweet but it was an opportunity. And I think I said later on to Ruben, it was an opportunity to continue the competition, I guess, further on down the road. And unfortunately, people continued to try to dwell on that competition.

KING: How's your life changed?
AIKEN: Well, substantially. You know, I don't go to the grocery store as easily. And I don't sneak in as easily as I used to be able to.

KING: How about financially?
AIKEN: Well, financially it's a little bit better. But... it's better than when I was a teacher. But I kind of... it's allowed me to buy a house. And I've been able to help my mother with some stuff and my brother. So, that's nice.

Each Child With Autism Is So Special

KING: What were you teaching?
AIKEN: I was teaching children with autism. I kind of fell...

KING: Oh, really?
AIKEN: I kind of fell into that. I was working at the YMCA in Raleigh, and I was working...

KING: You had a degree in that?
AIKEN: I did get a degree in special education. The principal of a school I was working for at the YMCA said, you know, "I need a substitute teacher, will you come and do this job?" And I said, "Sure." And then after I got in the class she said, "Oh, by the way, it's a classroom for children with autism." And I couldn't get out at this point. So I stuck around through the maternity leave, and fell in love with it so much that I...

KING: They are geniuses in there, right?
AIKEN: They're amazing. Each child with autism is so special, they're so unique. And that was so exciting for me to be able to go in every day, not know what to expect at all, have no idea what to expect, and to get to know each child individually.

And so I decided at that point, because I was working and I'd not had a degree yet, and not decided what I wanted to get a degree in, and I decided at that point, this is what I want to do.

I Think I'm Here for a Reason

KING: (Taking a viewer's call) Lancaster, Pennsylvania, hello.
CALLER: Yes. Hi, Clay, my name is Angie. First I want to say, Clay, may you forever shine. My question to you is, what kind of music will be on your follow-up album to Measure Of A Man, and when is the future release date?

AIKEN: Whew, you want some details.
KING: Get the Christmas album first.

AIKEN: Yes, please. You know, I like what we had on the first album. But I think a lot of the stuff I'd like to... I'd like to get more upbeat stuff on the next album. You know, something a little more energetic and positive. The Measure Of A man had a lot of stuff about heartbreak, and breaking up with someone, being angst after being... lost love. Not something that I necessarily know too much about. So, I'd love to have that... something a little bit more positive and upbeat on the next album.

KING: What do you want to do with your life?
AIKEN: You know, I'd love to say that I had it planned out. But that's one of the big things that I've learned is not to plan exactly what I'm going to do next. I want my tombstone to say that I made a difference somewhere.

I mean, I don't have to necessarily do it with an album or to any huge number of people. But to one person. I don't want it to be for naught. I don't want all this to be a waste. I kind of would like to think that I'm here for a reason. I think everything that I've done up to this point, whether it be working with children with disabilities, working at the YMCA, has kind of all led to this position. And if this is... this job may not be the last one I do. But if something else that I'm on the way to, then I want to be open to it and be ready.

KING: You're an extraordinary young man.
AIKEN: Oh, thank you very much.
KING: Congratulations. I congratulate the UN for choosing you.
AIKEN: Oh, thank you very much.