Tulsa World: Clay Aiken apparently questioned after airplane incident

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Clay Aiken apparently questioned after airplane incident

By World Staff
Published: 7/7/2007 5:52 PM
Last Modified: 7/9/2007 10:18 AM

The latest on this story: Clay Aiken involved in mid-flight dispute

From the Tulsa World archive: Read what happened when a Tulsa group of Claymates decided to have a CD release party in 2003 for Clay Aiken's first album.

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

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

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

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

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 question them.

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

By World Staff

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	Report Comment Judy, Sylvania (7/7/2007 6:39:37 PM) WHAT NEXT!
	Report Comment Dan, (7/7/2007 6:52:04 PM) You know, the man has a name. Clay Aiken. The writer managed to say "the former American Idol contestant" and "was a runner-up on the TV talent show in 2003" no less than 5 times in this short blurb. Ridiculous! Was it really newsworthy to report that the guy's foot touched some cranky woman's armrest and she had a meltdown over it? Good grief. If the guy is famous enough to report this tripe, he's famous enough to just use his name.
	Report Comment Lynnie, Toronto (7/7/2007 7:01:08 PM) Clay can rest his feet not only on my armrest, but if its more comfortable my lap is at his disposal. Or even whatever else he wants.
	Report Comment patricia, usa (7/7/2007 7:06:07 PM) Clay,...anytime, anyway, any place, any part.
	Report Comment Nancy, NY (7/7/2007 7:09:14 PM) Who wrote this? my goodness I didn't think this would be news worthy. With a WAR going on and men and women dying you would think Mr.Aikens feet wouldn't be the HEAD LINE.
	Report Comment Ben, (7/7/2007 7:09:48 PM) She shoved him? I wonder how big she was. LOL
	Report Comment DIane, (7/7/2007 7:10:06 PM) You've got to be kidding. Oh well, I guess this is newsworthy in Oklahoma - heh.
	Report Comment Craig, (7/7/2007 7:12:59 PM) This sounds like s SNL skit.
	Report Comment Carrie, Minneapolis (7/7/2007 7:13:59 PM) This has convinced me, I fly Continental from now on. Back and forth in case Clay Aiken needs a footrest. I'm there for you honey, anytime. PLEASE.
	Report Comment Joy, CT (7/7/2007 7:19:15 PM) I so agree with Nancy, NY. It is sad when such a minor event is deemed newsworthy...as Clay Aiken himself would surely agree since he is UNICEF's Educational ambassador and on a Presidential committee for education as well. And Clay had to be interviewed by the FBI because of this??? Egads...taxpayers' dollars at waste once again. I'd trade places with that nasty passenger any day. Heck, she was living my dream!
	Report Comment Ladria, Tulsa (7/7/2007 7:20:25 PM) Puhleeeeezee...must be a slow news day, huh? Why don't you leave the former American Idol contestant alone. You're looking very petty.
	Report Comment Kelly Clarkson, (7/7/2007 7:21:43 PM) Of course all the Aikenites do not want a story like this to get out. They all think their beloved hero can do no wrong!
	Report Comment Jase, (7/7/2007 7:26:14 PM) "Of course all the Aikenites do not want a story like this to get out. They all think their beloved hero can do no wrong! " ?? What'd he do wrong? He fell asleep and his foot touched some woman's armrest.
	Report Comment Jan, Plano (7/7/2007 7:29:01 PM) I don't care what their names are, it is not a big deal to me. Maybe the woman is the rough type. I would let Clay Aiken rest both feet in my lap any day. Oh Kelly, who cares what you think?
	Report Comment frances, plantation, fl (7/7/2007 7:29:02 PM) Well, well Clay, looks like you might have to start buying 2 seats so you can stretch out in comfort. I will happily purchase one from you.
	Report Comment veda, (7/7/2007 7:30:08 PM) "?? What'd he do wrong? He fell asleep and his foot touched some woman's armrest." Kept his feet on the floor. His foot never should have come near her armrest.
	Report Comment sue, stoughton, ny (7/7/2007 7:30:14 PM) never mind his foot in my lap, he can sit in my lap... anytime, baby.
	Report Comment Bonnie, (7/7/2007 7:30:45 PM) Clay did nothing wrong. He was asleep. It was a commuter plane and he's over 6 ft tall. It's the woman who was the aggressor and was led away by authorities according to witnesses. Clay..you can put your feet in my lap anytime.
	Report Comment Jase, (7/7/2007 7:31:45 PM) "Kept his feet on the floor. His foot never should have come near her armrest." According to a witness he had his legs crossed and was asleep. He has long legs so I guess one foot was touching her armrest. Dude was asleep. Give him a break.
	Report Comment Dora, Tulsa (7/7/2007 7:33:16 PM) This reporter needs to follow up on this account. My mother was on the flight and witnessed the incident. She was questioned and signed a witness statement. Clay was a sleep and the woman started hitting him because his foot was touching her armrest. When the plane landed she was led away by security. Clay went on his way.
	Report Comment jocky, (7/7/2007 7:34:00 PM) He's creepy and if anyones's feet (let alone his) touched me I'd swat them too.
	Report Comment veda, (7/7/2007 7:34:43 PM) Oh, come on. My brother's 6'6''. I've never seen him sit in a plane in such a way that would allow his foot to touch someone's armrest. That's just plain rude.
	Report Comment Bindy, (7/7/2007 7:34:51 PM) "The real Kelly Clarkson and Clay are good friends so get over it Kelly fan." Yeah. And his feet have been in her lap many times. She loves her some Clay feet.
	Report Comment Donna, (7/7/2007 7:37:34 PM) "22. 7/7/2007 7:33:16 PM, Dora, Tulsa This reporter needs to follow up on this account. My mother was on the flight and witnessed the incident." Suuuurrrrre she was.
	Report Comment Carole, (7/7/2007 7:38:08 PM) Eyewitness account posted on a Clay board: Clay was asleep with one leg crossed over the other (kind of parallel to floor) and his foot was apparently touching the armrest. The woman hit at his foot and told him to get his foot off her arm. Clay slept through that apparently and she got pissed and started swatting at him and smacking him. He woke up to the woman hitting him.

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