Clay Aiken and the Case of the Airport Attack

Geez. It seems that Clay Aiken just cannot get a break. First it was the Ripa incident, then the Rosie incident, then it was the tabloid incident(s). Let's set the record straight on the airport incident. According to eye witnesses, Clay was sleeping when he was attacked. That's one little piece of information that AP left out of their report. But is this a surprise? Journalists are so sloppy in this day and age.

Evidently, Clay had his ankle crossed over his knee and fell asleep. His foot was resting against the armrest of the passenger seated next to him. She was, shall we say, a mite perturbed so she hit his foot and told him to remove it. Aiken did not wake up. When he did wake up, the passenger was swatting and smacking at him.

Clay Aiken Involved in Airplane Spat


Posted: Jul. 7 10:43 p.m.
Updated: Today at 12:01 a.m.

TULSA, Okla. — Former "American Idol" singer Clay Aiken apparently was involved in an airplane disturbance with
another passenger Saturday while headed to Tulsa International Airport.

The dispute on a Continental Airlines flight occurred between a woman and a man, whom FBI Special Agent Gary Johnson confirmed was a former "American Idol" contestant.

Aiken, runner-up on the TV talent show in 2003, was headed to Tulsa for a Saturday performance at the Brady Theater. His management could not be reached for comment on the alleged incident.

Johnson said he was told the dispute was over the male passenger's foot resting on another passenger's armrest. He said the disturbance minor.

There was an allegation that the woman gave the male passenger a "minor shove" during the argument, Johnson said.

"At that point the flight crew was able to resolve the situation," he said.

The disturbance occurred Saturday morning, said Tulsa Airport Authority spokeswoman Alexis Higgins. Higgins said
the passengers were held until FBI agents arrived to interview them.

No injuries were reported and no arrests were made. The disturbance did not interfere with the flight of the aircraft, Johnson said.

Agents forwarded the results of their investigation to the U.S. Attorney's Office, which declined to file charges, he said.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.

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