Posted on 02/28/2006 5:27:10 AM PST by Panerai
Nine former fans of American Idol star Clay Aiken are forging ahead with threats to sue his record label bosses for false advertising. The one-time devotees have been shocked by recent tabloid claims the wholesome pop singer is gay and they've filed a Federal Trade Commission complain against executives at RCA and Sony/BMG, alleging they were duped in marketing and promotional campaigns.
The nine-strong group, listing themselves as "aggrieved consumers," allege that employees of RCA, Sony/BMG, and Aiken himself "engaged in collusion to prevent public disclosures they believed might be harmful to their product." The angry ladies go on to state, "This is tantamount to a manufacturer concealing information about a defective product. Therefore these actions were both unfair and deceptive to consumers."
A spokeswoman for 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 group is asking the FTC to investigate the practices of the record companies, to invoke civil penalties where appropriate, and to enjoin the companies from violating the Federal Trade Commission Act.
FYI.
More tabloid nonsense. This is like saying that Johnny Weir is gay.
So they're basing their suit on what a tabloid said?
Ha!
"Nine former fans of American Idol star Clay Aiken are forging ahead with threats to sue his record label bosses for false advertising."
Get a life or at least something that resembles one.
The Onion?
I'm curious: does the idea that Clay might be gay suddenly make the recordings that you loved last week sound "pitchy" now? It's like that stupid Milli Vanilli lawsuit. People screamed they were "duped" and demanded refunds because those two particular guys weren't actually singing on the records. What difference does it make who was singing? It's an audio medium! The music on the record is the exact same music you liked well enough to buy the week before! Would you have sued the Archies, too, for not really singing on their records? If you're going to sue anybody, sue your parents for instilling such lousy musical taste in you.
Uh, like you couldn't tell by looking at him? I suspect these are the same folks who were shocked to learn George Michael, Pee Wee Herman and Andy Dick were gay.
Who ever suspected he was hetero?
I didn't/don't care -- the boy can SING!
/popculturealert OFF
This is satire, right?
I mean seriously...it IS satire, isn't it?
Jim Neighbors is next.
" Pee Wee Herman"
Gay? I thought he was just a perv?
So...if I understand this correctly...they are suing because the record company presented Clay as being straight (and they bought into it) when, in fact, he is (or might be) gay? I'd call that good marketing, not false advertising.
"This is tantamount to a manufacturer concealing information about a defective product. Therefore these actions were both unfair and deceptive to consumers."
Ouch...now, I certainly am not pro-homosexual agenda or anything, but calling him a "defective product?" That's just not right.
Besides listening to mediocre music for a few years just how exactly were these fans damaged????
If you're going to sue anybody, sue your parents for instilling such lousy musical taste in you.
________
LOL.
I am one of those middle aged women who went to a Clay Aiken concert. I am like yo, could care less if he is gay or not. I like his singing. By the way, as someone who does enjoy Clay's music - what they are basing their claim on is a National Enquirer article.
I remember watching that season. There was young blonde girl, very pretty (name escapes me) who kept making doe eyes at Clay. Ryan Seacrest asked if there was anything going on between them and Clay responded "No, we're just friends"
My wife and I, in unison, shouted "GAY!" at the tv.
Anyone who thought he was straight is simply blind.
Are they suing because their, uh, self-gratification fantasy involving Clay is no longer possible.
There's always Fabio.
You mean to tell me that they thought he was "fo' real"? LOL! He's a bloody Am. Idol contestant! It doesn't get more manufactured and fake than that.
And they bought his CDs on the account of... his appearance? Serves them right. I have no sympathy for them whatsoever.
Even if he is gay, I think he reserves the right to keep his life(style) private if he chooses to. That's his choice and I don't think anyone has the right to be "outraged" or feel "cheated" -- least of all a bunch of stupid teenage consumers.
If they'd employed sound judgment, they wouldn't have bought his crap CDs in the first place. They'd have gone further down the aisle and stopped at Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, or the Beatles.
...and the only reason Liberace didn't marry is b/c he never found the right woman. 
Exactly how do you do that? I mean, is there some logo or marking on the CDs I'm missing?
I thought he was just a perv, too. Andy Dick is bi. (Still would make him off-limits to this straight girl.) I was actually one that was surprised that George Michael was gay, but I was a kid when Wham! came out and it was the 80's, so everyone seemed weird. I also didn't realize that Freddie Mercury was gay, either. My kids are so much smarter. My 8 year old would have pegged Clay Aiken in seconds (we are not fans in this house.)
A manufactured public packaged Clay? I don't believe the ladies purchased the private Clay Aiken.
This opens up a can of worms for politicians campaign managers.
Next they will be suing the Film Company Rock Hudson worked for. Now there was a package of lies.
I think it really is up to the artist, not the label, to keep lifestyle choices private.
Who didn't know Clay Aiken was gay? Some people need their gaydar put in the shop for a tune up.
You're kidding right?
Yeah, it's sort of like the MPAA. They rate the sexual status of all musical acts. Clay Aiken CDs were stamped Certified Virgin. False advertising. (/sarcasm)
When I bought his record, there was a HUGE statement all over the front of it, "CLAY AIKEN IS NOT!!!! GAY. HE IS SEXUALLY ATTRACTED TO WOMEN IN A HEALTHY, WHOLESOME, AND NATURAL WAY."
Good lord is nothing sacred. I bet you are going to tell me that Rock Hudson was gay next!!!
So they're basing their suit on what a tabloid said?
not only that, they tie up a much need court system
P.S. I was heartbroken (but not exactly shocked, except the part of me that was in denial) that George Michael was gay. How is a woman supposed to cope knowing she had MAJOR teenage fantasies about a man that was doing the schlogana schlogana with another man!?!?!!
No way.
And who'da thought Liberace was gay? I mean the women loved 'em!. I tell you, I didn't see that one comin'!
What's wrong of reaching stardom through singing contest? AI has attracted and produced many good artists, and so far their musics are better than hip-hop, rap, etc. with strange lyrics that we can easily find out there. BTW, have you ever listened to one of the winners? (Or virtual winner, Clay).
Have you ever seen a Clay Aiken fan?
Dead serious. I was maybe 7 or so when I saw Queen for the first time (pre-MTV) and really had no concept of gay. (I lived on a military base.) This was the early 80's, and most of the male pop-stars wore make-up and did girly things to their hair. I have talked to a few other friends the same age, and they also didn't know it, either (I had to check to see if I was exceptionally naive!) Then Queen wasn't really on the radar much for the remainder of the 80's, so I didn't put much thought into it, until he died of AIDS. I do have very good gaydar, now, though. ; )
Oh Oh, Rock Hudson sure has some 'spainin' to do.
Huh? Whaaa? He's dead?
Never mind!
spainin = 'Splainin'
"Next they will be suing the Film Company Rock Hudson worked for. Now there was a package of lies."
My Dad told my Mom that Rock Hudson was gay in the early 1960s. She called him a liar. LOL! My dad used to deliver alcohol to the studios and to the stars personally in the early '60s. He knew a lot about the debauchery of Hollywood. He moved us back to Indiana because he wanted us to be moral. LOL!
... not that there's anything wrong with that.
I think old Judas Priest fans could also have a case. (But then again, who really didn't think Rob Halford was gay)
Sorry, there's no such thing as bi... you either are a poofer are you aren't.
How could anyone watch the "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" video and not be convinced he's gay?
I still say he is not gay and that it is very rude to call him that unless he freely admits it himself.
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