Here are the details, apparently it's not a lawsuit, it is a complaint...
http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_27263736.shtml
Threatened Action Against Clay Aiken is Misguided, Foolish
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By Tina Bacon
Feb 25, 2006
I get a lot of strange things in my email and this morning was no different--in fact, I was blessed with the following press release from former Clay Aiken fans (a.k.a 'Claymates') who are it seems, complaining to the FTC that they feel they've been--for lack of a better word--'duped'.
Action Against Clay is Ridiculous
I pity them. How were they to know that I'm just not the best recipient for something like this?
According to the release, a nine member group of former Clay Aiken fans lodged a complaint with the FTC yesterday charging music mogul RCA SONY/BMG of 'false advertising and misrepresentation' as well as 'conspiring to market and promote its' artist, specifically Clay Aiken, to consumers in a false and deceptive manner'.
According to the press release, the complaint also alleges that the employees of RCA, SONY/BMG, and also of Clay Aiken 'engaged in collusion to prevent public disclosures they believed might be harmful to their product.
This is tantamount to a manufacturer concealing information about a defective product. Therefore these actions were both unfair and deceptive to consumers.'
***
The group says:
"As consumers, we feel ripped off. It is obvious now that the private Clay is very different from the manufactured packaged public Clay that was marketed to us."
The press release further states that the former Claymates are asking the FTC to 'investigate the practices of these companies, to invoke civil penalties where appropriate, and to enjoin the companies from violating the Federal Trade Commission Act.'
A spokeswoman for the group goes on to say:
"...much of the promotion behind any product is a well-crafted public image. For the recording industry it is not just about the music or the CD, but creating an image around the artist. They accomplish this through music videos and carefully managed media interviews and appearances."
"We are looking to the Federal Trade Commission to see whether these companies that represent and promote their artists in a false and deceptive manner will be held accountable."
***
Then they cite an interview Clay did with Diane Sawyer back in 2003, at which time the group says that Clay 'made certain assertions about himself and his public image':
Diane Sawyer: You never lost a love?
Clay Aiken: I don't know that I've ever been in love...so...uh...and that doesn't really bother me...uh..I don't necessarily fall quickly. I'm OK with how I look and who I am but I'm not confident enough to go after somebody and have her reject me or that type of thing. I'm kinda shy when it comes to big social situations.
Diane: In Rolling Stone he hinted he's a virgin and denied what's asked him over and over again. Is he gay? He says no.
Clay: Somebody asked it right after the finale of the show...in the press conference with Ruben and me. I think the problem is I don't think people know who what to do with me. They don't know anything about me. I'm not completely blind and stupid. I've got a southern accent which people say is...uh...
Diane: All southern people are gay.
Clay: Well not...and and English people too...
Diane: Oh well THAT
*they laugh*
Clay: I have some very effeminate qualities. I try to make sure I'm clean. I was raised by my mom and my 2 grandmothers really for a long time. I'm not completely blind to it. I have got used to people asking the question. They think...OK he doesn't drink, he doesn't go out and have sex with every woman that he sees. I think its high time there's somebody who represents people who aren't gay but don't sleep around with everybody, you know. If I'm supposed to carry the banner for all the nerds in the world I'm fine with that too.
***
The release also states:
Additionally, Aiken appeared on the cover of the June 2003 issue of Rolling Stone with the headline "Growing Up Clay." In the article, and in subsequent interviews with Larry King, Aiken admitted he had 'some feminine qualities' but insisted he wasn't gay.
Let's break this down:
Clay Aiken--singer, entertainer, author, American Idol runner-up--who has stated numerous times in both print and news media interviews that well...he's just not gay.
A nine member group of women who are stating what exactly? That Clay's gay and just never admitted it? That perhaps his record company knew he was gay and just never admitted it? That the employees knew he was gay and what--never mentioned it? So they--as the consumers that they are--spent money on his CD's and other items, all the while believing he was straight and now that perhaps they believe he's gay, they feel they've wasted their money? Do they want their money back? Are they angry because they feel the record company, Clay himself and the employees somehow 'tricked' them into being fans based on promotion that he was/is straight?
Above, the group stated:
"As consumers, we feel ripped off. It is obvious now that the private Clay is very different from the manufactured packaged public Clay that was marketed to us."
I'm quite certain the same could be said about Rock Hudson, George Michael, Melissa Ethridge and a plethora of other artists, authors, musicians, actors and singers, whether they be gay, straight, bi, or something altogether different. In fact, could we not say the same thing about Michael Jackson, George Clooney or even...Elvis?
Few would disagree that the private RuPaul is very, very different from the manufactured packaged public RuPaul that's been marketed to people everywhere throughout the years and he's absolutely fantastic. Now, for those who suddenly feel duped because they just realized RuPaul is really a dude, hop aboard the Complaint Train; lawsuits being filed to your left. And right.
Look, we could very well change the names and get the same results:
"As consumers, we feel ripped off. It is obvious now that the private {insert name here} is very different from the manufactured packaged public {insert any name here} that was marketed to us."
On a final note, Clay has never openly admitted that he is gay, therefore it would seem that the basis for this complaint is on speculation alone.
Clay Aiken has the right to his privacy and if he's gay, well that's his business, isn't it?
What's important should be the joy his singing brings to fans as individuals, not who he's sleeping with or what his sexual preferences are--male or female and to give so much attention to some schmuck off the street so he can receive his 15 minutes of fame for allegedly saying he was Clay's sexual partner? I'm over it.
Sorry girls, but you' ll have to peddle your crap somewhere else. I'm just not buyin' what you're slingin'.
--Tina Bacon