Clay Aiken Talks Lookalike Son Parker, 16, in Rare Comments About Parenting (Exclusive)
Clay Aiken Talks Lookalike Son Parker, 16, in Rare Comments About Parenting (Exclusive)originally appeared onParade. American IdolalumClay Aikentook a step back from the spotlight for a decade to focus on raising his son,Parker, 16. Now, ahead of Father's Day, the Season 2 runner-up dropped a reimagined rendition of his debut single "Measure of a Man"—and he shared rare comments on parenting his teenage son. On Friday, June 13, "Measure of a Man (Father's Version)" premieres. Aiken, 46, opened up about the heartwarming twist on his 2003 track during an exclusive interview withParade. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 For the father's iteration of the ballad, Aiken explored how life changed after becoming a parent, as well as how love, patience and presence—as opposed to perfection—became the new measures of strength. Here is the first verse of the revised lyrics through the lens of fatherhood: If one day you discover him broken down he's lost everything / No cape, no superpowers to make him who he's not / His family at his side is all that he has got / He wouldn't have to move Heaven and Earth to prove his love has worth. Although the chorus is mostly the same, Aiken tweaked the message slightly there, too: 'Cause he'd walk on water and he'd run through fire / And he'd stand beside you when it's down to the wire / He would give his life up to be all he can / Day after day, he shows me how you measure a man. "I found I was able to say certain things or talk about things that I wouldn't be able to say to [Parker] right now, face to face. And if I did, he'd roll his eyes at me," Aiken said of writing the new version of his song. "So it was sort of a cathartic therapeutic experience to reimagine this song in that way." He added, "And 'Measure of Man,' the lyrics to it have always been, I mean, it is romantic—but I think it's ambiguous in its ability in most parts of the lyrics to kind of be about how we measure people in life in general." During his sit-down withParade, Aiken also caught fans up to speed with what he's been up to over the past 10 years, explaining his decision to press pause on his music career. "My son was at elementary school age and I wanted to be able to be in the same spot so that when he was in school, I was in the same place," he shared. In 2022, the "Invisible" singer emerged from his more private life to run in the Democratic primary for District 4 of North Carolina's U.S. House of Representatives. (He lost that May and also in 2014 when heran in North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District's Democratic primary.) Aiken also teamed up withAmerican IdolSeason 2 winnerRuben Studdardfor a 20th-anniversary tour in April and May 2023. (The dynamic duoreunited as "Beets" in Season 11 ofThe Masked Singer, too.) After that experience, Aiken said he "kind of fell back in love with performing," inspiring him to release a holiday albumChristmas Bells Are Ringing,in November 2024. He is now working on more new music, including another album. "One of the reasons I decided to start performing again was my son got to an age where he, well, he didn't need me around anymore," Aiken toldParade. "He doesn'twantme around anymore either. And, you know, he'll be 17 this summer. And I think I kind of have waxed a little sentimental over the, you know, the change that happens as kids grow up." The "This Is the Night" singer continued, "They go from idolizing you to thinking you're an idiot … I don't think he truly thinks I'm an idiot, but he does a good percentage of the time." In August 2024, Aiken appeared onFamily Feudwith his son—the first time he and Parker's mother,Jaymes Foster(she and Aiken are close friends who welcomed their son via IVF) allowed the teen to be in the spotlight since he was born. "His mother and I had been very careful to keep him hidden and in North Carolina and try to let him have as normal a childhood as possible," Aiken shared. Fast-forward to April 2025, andParker made his red carpet debutalongside his famous father at the opening night ofBOOP! The Musicalin New York City. Parker's uncle,David Foster, composed the music for the Broadway production. "Well, he played it cool a little bit, but he loved it," Aiken shared of the teenager's reaction to getting a tiny taste of stardom. Although Parker has "a great ear," Aiken said his son does not have plans to follow in his musical footsteps—nor is the teenager particularly interested in a life of fame. Or taking his father's advice, for that matter. "He is incredibly independent. And on the one hand, you're very proud of that," Aiken said. "But on the other hand, you're like, I still wish that: A, you needed me for some things and B, I wish you'd listen to me for some things too, because you may not need me, but I do know a few things." "Measure of a Man (Father's Version)" is now available for streaming and purchase wherever you listen to music. Next:Tom Felton Dishes on the Lasting Legacy ofHarry Potter, What He's Doing Now and Taylor Swift (Exclusive) Clay Aiken Talks Lookalike Son Parker, 16, in Rare Comments About Parenting (Exclusive)first appeared on Parade on Jun 13, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Clay Aiken Talks Lookalike Son Parker, 16, in Rare Comments About Parenting (Exclusive) Clay Aiken Talks Lookalike Son Parker, 16, in Rare C...
