Clay Aiken Takes It...

Paxil, that is. On a recent publicity tour to promote his new CD, Gay Claiken has been confronting a lot of hard issues. For the most part, none of them have been penises.

First and foremost, he is lowering his defenses about that whole "gay" issue. Instead of denying it, he's now telling People that no one would believe him if he denied it. That's half way to Lance Bass-town. It's only a few more steps to Liberace-Land. Unfortunately he isn't comfortable enough in his own skin to live openly, but I don't hold that against him. He is one of the few people who have been threatened with a lawsuit (from crazed fan "Claymates") if he comes out.

In other non-news, the AI runner-up tells Good Morning America that he takes Paxil to combat depression. Several factors contribute to his doping up, including being bullied and the death of his father. Apparently this combination of pre-requisites (while applicable to at least 60% of America) is carte-blanche for meds without therapy, because Clay does NOT want to see a shrink. I guess Tom Cruise can't win them all. I always say that the best therapist is a bottle of Jack Daniels anyway.

Unfortunately for Clay, a therapist might actually help him along the path of self-realization. For now though, we'll have to be content with the emotionless glazed-eye closeted reality TV castoff.