Could 'American Idol' Star Clay Aiken Be Asexual?
Clay Aiken recently said he has no desire to have a romantic relationship.
Jan. 29, 2008 — -- Former "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken apparently has less of a social life than one might think, given his time in the spotlight and his large teenie-bopper fan base.
In a recent interview with New York magazine, Aiken said that he has never had a romantic relationship and has no interest in finding one, either.
"I have got too much on my plate," Aiken told the magazine. "I'd father focus on one thing and do that when I can devote time to it, and right now, I just don't have any desire."
And when asked whether he ever has sexual "urges" or "needs," Aiken responded, "I mean, not really. I've just kind of shut it off, maybe. Is that bad?"
Whether Aiken was hinting that he is asexual, or if he's just too busy or too exhausted to engage in a sexual relationship, is an important distinction when considering asexuality, sex experts told ABCNEWS.com.
"Asexuality is defined as a lack of sexual attraction as a whole," said New York-based sexologist Logan Levkoff. "Things get tricky sometimes to define because lack of desire is a different issue."
"[Aiken] said that he had too much on his plate to focus, and that's a little different," explained Levkoff. "You can choose not to get caught up in a sexual relationship or experience, but that's not technically being asexual."
"Being too busy isn't a sexual orientation," said Levkoff. "Society puts so much pressure on people like Aiken that we have to hope his statement isn't a public excuse to get people to lay off him."
There are also many other reasons someone could be feeling asexual, or experiencing a sort of dormant sex drive, said Levkoff. Depression, lack of exercise and exhaustion can all have a tremendous impact on a person's sex life.
Using asexuality as an excuse, according to Ian Kerner, sex therapist and author of "Sex Detox," is also common for people who have had negative sexual experiences earlier in life or are trying to hide their true sexuality.
"There are many people who are confused about their sexuality or their sexuality is in stark contrast to their social and cultural values," said Kerner. "So they think it's easier to be asexual than to acknowledge their unique sexuality and identity."
