American Idol buddies Clay Aiken and Kelly Clarkson reunited for an interview on her talk show to reminisce about their time on the reality competition TV show and going on tour together.
While fun moments were shared, fans couldn't help but crack up about Clarkson's faux pas when she and Aiken first sat down together to discuss his new Christmas album, Christmas Bells Are Ringing.
After the pair got comfortable and complimented each other on their festive attire, Clarkson kicked off the convo by recalling how the two of them hit the road together on the 2004 Independent Tour to promote their respective albums after he "won" the second season of American Idol.
Except he didn't win that season.
Aiken was the second runner-up to the season's winner, Ruben Studdard.
Aiken's facial response was everything as Clarkson kept talking, completely clueless about her false statement.
@kellyclarksonshow/TikTok
"I came in second," Aiken said, cutting her, off mid-rambling.
"I know…what?" Clarkson responded, instantly realizing her error.
Clarkson, who was the first contestant to win American Idol in its inaugural season, immediately faced the camera with a smile and said, "So sorry, Ruben. I totally remembered that," to which Aiken cracked up.
Hey, it happens, right? Our memory gets a little hazy as we all age like fine wine.
Clarkson touched on this sad inevitability and said:
“Look, I’m 42, bro. OK, like, I forgot."
An unfazed Aiken avoided further embarrassing her and commented they were both in the same boat, saying, “It’s been 20 years. We are both getting older.”
Fans were amused by their playful banter.
@kellyclarksonshow/TikTok
@kellyclarksonshow/TikTok
@kellyclarksonshow/TikTok
@kellyclarksonshow/TikTok
@kellyclarksonshow/TikTok
Clarkson spent the rest of the interview praising her Idol colleague, and it seemed to come from a genuine place rather than trying to stay in his good graces after her earlier gaffe.
She downplayed her popularity and recalled how the fans they met on the road seemed to flock to Aiken the most.
“It was as if I didn’t exist,” said Clarkson, adding:
“You were … it was like Elvis was in the building every night. And you didn’t even have to win, you didn’t win and then people were losing it over you. It was so fun to watch.”
They truly put the "idol" in American Idol.
@kellyclarksonshow/TikTok
@kellyclarksonshow/TikTok
@kellyclarksonshow/TikTok
@kellyclarksonshow/TikTok
@kellyclarksonshow/TikTok
@kellyclarksonshow/TikTok
Aiken took a break from making music and dabbled in politics running as a congressional Democrat in his home state of North Carolina in 2014 and 2022.
He said his son, 16-year-old Parker, encouraged him to return to music.
“He wants me to leave as much as possible now,” Aiken said, adding:
“Music can make people happier, and I thought the whole politics thing could improve people’s lives, but it doesn’t. Music does.”
Christmas Bells Are Ringing is Aiken's first album in 12 years since his 11th album, Steadfast, containing previous recordings and songs performed in concerts.
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@therealjeffreyross/Instagram
@mikeredmond/Bluesky
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social