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Joyce French, 67, a mother of three and grandmother of five from Connecticut, is a self-proclaimed Claymate. For those not in the know, that means she's a devoted fan of singer Clay Aiken, the famous runner-up on the popular TV talent show American Idol. While she's not a card-carrying member of Clay's fan club, she owns every CD he has sung on, calls radio stations to play his songs, and has traveled three hours to see one of his concerts. When I call her to request an interview, she's blasting Clay Aiken's single "Solitaire" on her stereo while vacuuming her living room. She turns off the vacuum cleaner and the stereo so we can talk about her favorite subject.
Why do you love Clay?
Clay's just so likable! The first thing that caught my attention was his voice. On American Idol, when he opened his mouth and his voice came out, that's all it took to get my attention. I hadn't heard a voice so clear and so from the heart since Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis.
I assume you voted for him when he was on American Idol.
Every Tuesday night, continuously for two hours. I broke the talk button on my telephone because I hit it so much to vote for him.
How did you feel when he didn't win?
I knew all along that -- whether or not he won -- Clay would be a success.
What makes Clay so special?
He's the real deal. He has a grounded sense about him, but he also has an aura around him that I find totally spiritual.
Clay makes you feel spiritual?
Sometimes. When I've been sad, I'll listen to his music. It calms me down and brings me peace. The voice and the emotion in it just touch my heart. I also identify with Clay because he was a special education teacher. I have a granddaughter who is a special education student. I love that Clay is using his success to help children.
So, do you find Clay cute?
I think he's the sexiest man I've ever seen. He has great sex appeal and he doesn't know it -- and it's a wholesome sex appeal.
How do you compare Clay with other singers of his generation?
Oh, please! He's off the charts with his talent, demeanor, and charm. There's no one who can touch him.
And you've seen him in concert?
My son took me to see him in Albany. We had to drive for three hours to get there. I hadn't been to a live concert in 35 years. I have a bad back, and my son asked if I thought I was going to be able to do it. And I said, "I'd crawl on my hands and knees to see Clay live!" I saw nine-year-olds and ninety-year-olds at the concert, all cheering. But when he sang, they were totally silent.
Any peeves about Clay?
For a while, he was growing his hair a bit too long, or should I say, too tall. But when I saw him on TV last night, it was shorter.
Does anyone tease you about your enthusiasm for Clay?
Well, my grandson sort of does, because he likes rock. And my granddaughter prefers Britney Spears.
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