Clay Aiken Recalls Simon Cowell Saying He Didn't Look 'Like a Pop Star' During “American Idol” Audition: 'He Said I Was Ugly'
Clay Aiken Recalls Simon Cowell Saying He Didn't Look 'Like a Pop Star' During “American Idol” Audition: 'He Said I Was Ugly'
Tereza ShkurtajSat, May 16, 2026 at 1:58 PM UTC
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Clay Aiken; Simon Cowell.
Credit: John Lamparski/Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
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Clay Aiken blew viewers away with his vocals during his season 2 American Idol audition in 2003
During a recent interview, however, Aiken looked back on the harsh comments he received from former judge Simon Cowell about his appearance
More than 20 years later, Aiken returned to the Idol stage to perform his new single, “Rewind”
Clay Aiken's return to American Idol brought fans back to one of the show's biggest underdog stories. More than 20 years after finishing as the runner-up on season 2, Aiken returned for the May 19 finale to perform his new single, “Rewind.”
In a recent interview with Insider TV, the 47-year-old singer reflected on the criticism he faced during his time on the competition series, particularly from former judge Simon Cowell, who questioned whether he actually had the image of a pop star.
“I think there was an interesting quandary about whether or not America was going to vote for the best singers or are they going to vote for the people who look like pop stars,” Aiken told the outlet.
Clay Aiken on 'American Idol.'
Credit: SGranitz/WireImage
In 2003, Aiken became one of the breakout stars of season 2 despite facing harsh comments early in the competition. During his audition, Cowell told him he did not “look like a pop star,” but had “a great voice” — a remark that reflected the music industry mindset at the time.
Decades later, Aiken says he still remembers Cowell's remarks today. “Absolutely! He said I was ugly. Go look it up. It's in there. You can watch the footage,” he told Insider TV.
Nevertheless, viewers continued voting for Aiken throughout the competition. His performances quickly made him a fan favorite and helped turn season 2 into one of the most talked-about chapters in Idol history.
And even though the season eventually ended with Ruben Studdard taking home the title, Aiken still finished runner up in one of the closest finales the show has seen.
Clay Aiken on 'American Idol.'
Credit: Ray Mickshaw/WireImage
Even though Cowell's comments were often blunt, Aiken admitted there was more warmth behind the scenes than viewers realized.
“We'd get to see [Simon] after someone got cut,” he explained. “He'd come back and give a hug and say goodbye,” Aiken shared.
“[The judges] were all always very warm. [Simon] was very supportive of people.”
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Aiken also acknowledged that Cowell understood exactly how to create compelling television during the early days of reality competition shows.
“[Simon] said what he really felt, but that's why he's a TV genius, right? He knows how to make TV and he knew exactly what was necessary in terms of pushing buttons like nobody's business,” he admitted.
Today, however, the series looks very different from how it did during Aiken's run, with current judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood.
While Aiken said the live audience "might be smaller" now than it was back then, he noted that the "production is bigger."
"I think we had two producers and three associate producers back then. Gosh, now, it's so big. There's 150 people [here]," he said. "There may be hundreds of people who work here. I think there were 50 people who worked on my season."
Simon Cowell and Clay Aiken on 'American Idol.'
Credit: Ray Mickshaw/WireImage
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Aiken is now focused on new music and potentially returning to touring. After years of singing material chosen by record executives, he said “Rewind” instantly stood out to him.
“I just knew immediately that this is not only a killer song, but it's about the urge for nostalgia. The need to remember better times,” he told Insider TV.
Returning to the Idol stage to perform the single marked a full-circle moment for the singer more than two decades after his initial rise to fame.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
