Transformation--It's Not Just the Hair!

Hair doesn't really make the man, but from all the talk in the media about Clay's look you would he was a model not a singer. The consensus seems to be that he is a great singer. No need to discuss that anymore, at least not until the new CD is released. This is why Clay appearing on AI at this time was brilliant. Focus on his new look, and get all the attention to that out of the way before the promotion for the new CD, whenever that may be starts. Let the focus of the promotion be the CD not "the look", Not that I don't expect it to be mentioned , but the shock of will have worn off. Clay's hair style certainly has changed, but is much more than that. Hair is the tangible change, but only a small part of what is different. A poster at the Clackhouse said it perfectly:

It really isn't "just the hair", IMO, that is making people sit up and take
notice. The hair is a gimmick people can remember and talk about as a
conversation starter, but in my opinion, it is Clay's confidence, his matured
good looks, his swagger and smile that are "new" to people who really did
remember AI2 Clay as someone resembling Michael Sandecki. The Clay Aiken who
strolled onto the stage last night was shockingly confident and not at all
"geeky". He was always handsome, but those who dismissed him because of his
self-deprecating demeanor may never have looked at him all that closely before.
They see the hair, a far cry from the spiky do of memory...and then take a
closer look at the whole package...maybe for the first time. And then he sings
and they are caught off-guard with their resistance down. They trip over their
own expectations of him and fall right into that voice. But when ASKED what they
noticed, they will search their minds to get a handle on "why" and come up with
"the hair". They might not even realize that the hair was just some interesting,
shiny bait...the real danger lurks in that face, in those eyes, in that
smile...and of course, in that voice. Resistance is futile. ~~00lsee at the Clackhouse

There is no doubt that Clay Aiken's look has evolved in the three years since he first came to our attention in the Atlanta AI2 auditions. He's gone from a slight geeky, but still cute college boy to a mature self-confident man. Everyone was able to see the transformation at the AI5 Finale where he commanded that stage with grace and assurance. Not only has Clay matured physically, but now carries himself with a self-confidence that was missing in his AI days. The media has fixated on the hair as the big change because that is a tangible change. The bigger change is Clay's demeanor. He has faced my challenges, worked hard, and expanded his view of the world in the last three years. He is now a Star-- with all the confidence of one.

A lovely illustration of the transformation comes in a montage by the talented Clay Aiken fan and Clayversity poster, Aspiegirl. Enjoy!




"What a Feeling" Montage by Aspiegirl


Blogs to check out:

• Clay Aiken Hangover!


• Hair & There: A Look At The British Invasion

Related Tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol