Clay Aiken Says He Lost “50 Percent” of His Fans After Coming Out as Gay in 2008

Image from The Hollywood Reporter

• Aiken's admission that his Broadway show 'Spamalot' went from selling out to dropping ticket sales after his People magazine cover story revealing his sexuality, forcing the show to close just months later.
• Despite the backlash, Aiken stands by his decision to come out, saying he couldn't raise his son to 'lie or hide things', adding that while times have changed, his experience was the 'opposite' of the career boosts many LGBTQ+ stars now receive after coming out.