More Highlights for Clay Aiken

• American Idol finalist Clay Aiken appears on WRAL Morning News

  Take a look behind the scenes when 2003 American Idol finalist, Clay Aiken, made a whirlwind trip from Hollywood to his hometown of Raleigh during the final weeks of competition of the hit FOX TV show American Idol. Clay finished as the runner-up to champion Ruben Studdard.

  This video shows Clay arriving at WRAL-TV the morning of Friday, May 9 2003. He makes his way into the station greeting employees as he makes his way to the newsroom . You’ll see and hear Clay interviewed by WRAL Morning news anchors.

  All the video was shot from a news photographer shooting from behind-the-scenes. Enjoy this unique look of what happens during a live newscast as Clay Aiken has fun “helping” Mike Maze present the weather report and Mark Roberts with his traffic report.

• AMERICAN IDOL finalist Clay Aiken rides in SKY 5

  On May 8, 2003, American Idol finalist and hometown star Clay Aiken traveled to Raleigh. He visited the NC Capitol Building and met Governor Mike Easley. Later Clay hopped into SKY 5 to fly to the Durham Bulls Ballpark to sing the national anthen and throw out the first pitch.
  This video is the “raw” footage shot from inside SKY 5 during the trip. You will hear Clay respond to questions in an interview with WRAL News anchors while he was inflight. Notice that the helicopter hovered over an area between Raleigh and Durham during the interview. After the interview, Clay changed into a Durham Bulls baseball shirt. SKY 5 then made the descent into Durham and landed at the Durham Bulls Baseball Park. SKY 5 pilot Steve Wiley opens the door for Clay and instructs him where to go; directly to the pitchers mound.

• Clay Aiken arrives at DBAP

  American Idol finalist Clay Aiken arriving via SKY 5 at a Durham Bulls game. Aiken threw out the first pitch and was honored at the game. He is greeted by Bulls mascot Wool E. Bull and GM George Habel.