# Clay Aiken Outed on The View

> Clay Aiken described a 'catastrophic' week after Rosie O'Donnell outed him on The View in 2006.
- Title: Clay Aiken Outed on The View · Fox News | Shortify
- Summary: Clay Aiken described a 'catastrophic' week after Rosie O'Donnell outed him on The View in 2006. Clay Aiken said being outed by Rosie O'Donnell on The View in…
- Keywords: clay aiken, rosie o'donnell, the view, kelly ripa, american idol, outed, coming out, 2006, 2008, people magazine, news, politics
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/entertainment/clay-aiken-died-inside-rosie-odonnell-outed-him-view-2006
- Author: Lori Bashian
- Published: 2026-09-19T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: clay aiken, rosie o'donnell, the view, kelly ripa, american idol, outed, coming out, 2006, 2008, people magazine, news, politics
## Clay Aiken reflects on 2006
Clay Aiken described feeling 'freaked out' after Rosie O'Donnell outed him on The View in November 2006.

> I died inside a lot that week
## O'Donnell defended Aiken
Rosie O'Donnell called Aiken's comment 'homophobic' while defending him on The View.

> From where I sit as a gay person in the world, I have to tell you, that's how it came off to me
## Ripa defended herself
Kelly Ripa said Aiken's comment was made because he was shaking hands with audience during flu season.

> he's shaking hands with everybody in the audience
## Aiken's 2008 coming out
Aiken publicly confirmed his sexuality in September 2008 with his newborn son on People magazine.

> Yes, I'm Gay
## Aiken's American Idol background
Aiken finished second on American Idol Season 2 in 2003 behind Ruben Studdard.

> I was the runner-up to Ruben Studdard
## Key takeaway

Clay Aiken said being outed by Rosie O'Donnell on The View in 2006 caused him emotional distress before he came out publicly in 2008.