Clay Aiken Says American Idol Is Now All About The Judges

Aiken was asked if he planned to return to American Idol next year to mark the 10th anniversary of the second season where he was the runner-up

"I don't know that I would commemorate it on the show," he says. "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 starts of the show. And when I was on, Ruben (Studdard) and myself and Kimberly 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."

Aiken also shared his excitement about the upcoming return of his annual Christmas tour, which he held for four years from 2004-2007. "It doesn't feel like Christmas for me if I'm not doing this," Aiken told Billboard.

"It was what made my year for me. It's what made Christmas feel like Christmas. This is what really puts me in the mood for the season."

Aiken kicked off his Joyful Noise 2012 tour last month. The tour features Aiken playing with a full orchestra and will conclude on December 23rd in Detroit.

December 16 Melbourne, FL King Center For The Performing Arts December 17 Atlanta, GA Symphony Hall - Woodruff Arts Center December 18 Atlanta, GA Symphony Hall - Woodruff Arts Center December 20 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
December 21 Cleveland, OH Playhouse Square Center - Palace Theater December 22 Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Hall
December 23 Detroit, MI Masonic Temple