American Idol alum Clay Aiken is dad to 16-year-old son Parker Foster Aiken. Up until his recent appearance on Celebrity Family Feud, Parker has remained out of the spotlight, and that was no accident. In an interview with E! News, American Idol season two runner-up Clay revealed that he hoped his son would “be able to grow up as normally as he could.”
Clay and his friend Jaymes Foster welcomed Parker in 2008 through in vitro fertilization. Since then, they have made an effort to keep him out of the limelight. “We did a very good job, I think, for 16 years, keeping him completely out of the public eye,” Clay told E! News. While musical talent definitely runs in the family, Clay doesn’t think his son is interested in pursuing a career in music.
Parker’s mom, Jaymes, is a music producer. Producer and music executive David Foster is her brother. Though Parker “can sing,” he simply “doesn’t want to,” Clay explained to E! News.
“He knows what he wants to do. He’s going to go a very different way,” Clay told the publication, adding that he’s “proud” of his son.
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In August, Parker made his TV debut when he appeared on Celebrity Family Feud alongside his loved ones. “That was his first time [being in the public eye],” Clay said. “I appreciate that he’s been able to have a normal — or as close to a normal — childhood as he could.”
At the time, fans noticed that Parker looks just like his dad. Reflecting on his fatherhood journey and parenting style, Clay said he’s always looking for ways to improve. “I’m just tough in general,” he said. “I find that I appreciate criticism. I appreciate people pointing out things that I can do better.”
In 2008, shortly after Parker’s birth, his mom Jaymes spoke to People about co-parenting with Clay.
“[Clay and I] love each other dearly and deeply as friends, but I think as parents now, there’s an even greater bond, certainly for me,” she said at the time. “Our job is to remain best friends for the rest of our lives and that’s the most important thing for Parker.”
