Celebrity Apprentice: Clay Aiken is Runner Up

Clay Aiken Celebrity Apprentice — Clay Aiken Screenshot from NBC Celebrity Apprentice Video

Clay Aiken was not chosen by Donald Trump to be this season’s Celebrity Apprentice.

May 20, 2012. Clay Aiken and Arsenio Hall, along with their teams, were asked to create a celebrity variety show and a 30-second public service announcement (PSA). Clay and his team took on a carnival theme for their room and their show consisted of singing from Clay, Aubrey O’Day, Debbie Gibson and Dee Snider. Penn Jillette also did a magic act, alongside of his guest, Teller. The PSA was a very impacting spot about his charity, the National Inclusion Project (NIP). Clay and his team raised and impressive $301,000 for the NIP.

Although Arsenio and his team raised less than Clay’s ($167,000), Donald Trump chose Arsenio to be the Celebrity Apprentice. Earlier in the season, Arsenio raised $105,000 versus $60,000 for Clay.

Arsenio’s charity, the Magic Johnson F oundation not only received what he raised during his task, but also the $250,000 prize for winning. Congratulations Arsenio and MJF!

UPDATE 5/13/12 – Clay Aiken makes it into the Finals of Celebrity Apprentice. Aubrey O’Day is fired, leaving Clay Aiken and Arsenio Hall to battle it out in the finals. Clay and Arsenio are giving their tasks to raise money for their charities by planning, producing and starring in a fundraising event. They were given the opportunity to choose from a group of former Celebrity Apprentice contestants.

Clay’s Team: Aubrey O’Day, Debbie Gibson, Dee Snider and Penn Jillette.

Arsenio’s Team: Adam Carolla, Lisa Lampanelli, Paul Teutul, Sr. and Teresa Giudice.

UPDATE 5/6/12 – Clay Aiken makes it into the Final Three of Celebrity Apprentice. Clay and project manager, Lisa Lampanelli won the last task. On the other team, with Arsenio Hall and Aubrey O’Day, Teresa Giudice was their project manager and was sent home. The four remaining contestants were immediately sent into one on one interviews with former Celebrity Apprentice contestants Country Singer John Rich (Season 4 Winner) and Actress Marlee Matlin (Season 4 Runner Up). When the final four returned to the boardroom, Lisa Lampanelli was fired.

Clay Aiken on Celebrity Apprentice — Clay Aiken Screenshot Celebrity Apprentice Video

Clay Aiken on the Celebrity Apprentice for Kids with Disabilities

March 30, 2012. Clay Aiken, first runner up on ‘American Idol’ Season 2 in 2003 is now a contestant on ‘Celebrity Apprentice,’ Season 5. He is there to raise money for his charity, the National Inclusion Project.

Clay shared:

The National Inclusion Project is an organization that I helped start about eight years ago. I used to see kids with disabilities get kicked out of programs or not be allowed to go to a summer camp that I was working at because they had Autism or a little boy or girl had Cerebral Palsy and they didn’t have the ability to work with them at the summer camp. In our social settings. We do segregate. We don’t include individuals with disabilities in workplaces oftentimes and almost always, unfortunately, in extra-curricular programs. So we work with university to help create a curriculum that teaches people how to include kids with disabilities and without disabilities in service learning projects. So, inclusive groups of kids, teenagers, will work together to do stuff in their community. We are sort of a service organization that serves other non-profits in a way (Video: Clay Aiken’s Charity).

For his first task as Project Manager ,the show that aired on March 25th, the teams were asked to throw a party for Crystal Light’s new “mocktail” beverages. For the men’s team, Unanimous, Clay volunteered to be Project Manager. For the women’s team, Forte, Aubrey O’Day was the Project Manager.

Clay and his team chose to highlight the Peach Bellini flavor and use the tagline, “Life’s a Peach.” Their party had a beach-theme, complete with sand, island music and tikki-bars. Special guests, Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb showed up to the party and when the Crystal Light Executives arrived, Clay sang, “Under the Boardwalk.”

Although the contest seemed to be close, Team Unanimous was chosen as the winners. As their reward, Clay’s charity was to be given $20,000 from the show. As an added bonus, Crystal Light also contributed $30,000, making Clay’s contribution to his charity, $50,000.

Other celebrities who have participated in Season 5: Adam Carolla, Arsenio Hall, Aubrey O’Day, Cheryl Tiegs, Clay Aiken, Dayana Mendoza, Debbie Gibson, Dee Snider, George Takei, Lisa Lampanelli, Lou Ferrigno, Michael Andretti, Patricia Velasquez, Paul Teutul, Sr., Penn Jillette, Teresa Giudice, Tia Carrere, Victoria Gotti.