AP Photo/Diane BondareffClay Aiken is joining the ranks of the out-and-proud.
The unlikely heartthrob, whose southern gentlemanliness has made the young'uns love him and their moms want to pinch his cheeks, has revealed that he is gay in an upcoming cover story for People magazine, on newsstands Wednesday.
So whether you're saying, "Huh?!" or "About time!"—this is the new state of the Claynation.
"We can confirm that Clay Aiken and his son are featured on the next issue of People," is all the magazine would say in response to questions about its leaked cover, which boasts the pull-out quote: "Yes, I'm gay."
"I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things," he says.
The 29-year-old pop star's sexuality came under increased scrutiny when he admitted to fathering a child with 50-somethingish Jaymes Foster, sister of famed music producer David Foster.
Parker Foster Aiken was born Aug. 8 in North Carolina, with Aiken writing on his blog that all families involved "are thrilled."