Clay Aiken Slams American Idol: It's All About The Judges, 'Don't Know If They Remember There Are Contestants'
Dec. 17 2012, Published 4:00 a.m. ET
It's the show that gave him his big break nearly 10 years ago when he came in second place, but Clay Aiken hasn't got much love for American Idol nowadays.
The 34-year-old didn't mince any words when asked about the long-running singing contest during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
Asked if he would return to the Fox hit next year to mark the 10-year anniversary of his appearance he said: "I don't know that I would commemorate it on the show.
"I don't know that they did it with Justin Guarini and all those folks.
"But Idol back in those days was about the contestants. Kelly Clarkson and Justin and Tamyra Gray and Nikki McKibbin, they were all the stars of the show.
"And when I was on, Ruben Studdard and myself and Kimberley Locke were the stars of the show.
"Now Idol is about the judges. I don't even know if they remember there are contestants anymore."
The American Idol judging panel has been almost like a game of musical chairs recently as Fox execs have struggled to replace high profile personalities like Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul.
Judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler only lasted two seasons on the show, leaving earlier this year.
Meanwhile divas Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj have clashed repeatedly even before making their on-camera Idol debut. The rapper launched into a foul-mouthed attack on the Hero singer back in October in behind-the-scenes footage that was leaked to the press.
Tempers flared during auditions in Charlotte, North Carolina during which Minaj told Carey: "Every time you patronize me I'm-ma take it back and if you've got a f**king problem, handle it."
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