Jeannie Holleman is suing American Idol Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken, claiming that he, his mother, and others banded together to try to decrease the sales of her book. "Out of the Blue - 'Clay' it Forward" had interviews with neighbors of Aiken as well as her own memories and stories by fans. Holleman claims she is a friend and neighbor of a family that took in Clay and his mother when she left her abusive husband.
In the lawsuit, filed Friday in Wake County Superior Court, Holleman claims Aiken, his mother and others conspired to defame her and depress sales of her book by denying they knew her, branding her stories as lies and demeaning the book on Aiken fans' Web sites.
She wants $260,000 in damages. If indeed Clay knew the woman and lied that he didn't know her in order to damage the sales, perhaps he is responsible for some damages (I vote $500). But her other demands are just ridiculous. She wants him to either take back his critical comments or endorse the book on his website, to write an introduction for the book, and to sell the book at his concerts for the next five years.
Okay, normally I would dread posting a news article about Clay, as I tend not to think too highly of him. In this case however, I have no fear of the rabid Claymates as I had a huge LOL moment as I read the last part of that idiot woman's demands. I can't even imagine a lawyer who would take a case and make demands like that - she has to have been acting as her own lawyer! The whole point of an unauthorized story is that the person in question doesn't want it out there and will do what they can to stop it. To force Clay to endorse the thing is just silly.
If you read Jeannie Holleman's book, it's clear by her own words that her lawsuit is frivolous. For example, pages 62-63:
" I was hoping to see Faye that day...Although I didn't know her very well at all in those days (and still do not), I liked her immensely...I was just that neighborhood kid who popped in and out a lot...There has apparently been some debate recently about my claiming to be a close friend of Faye's. I didn't make that claim. However, I am a pretty friendly and easygoing person, and...I was brought up believing that everyone was your friend unless proven otherwise, especially if they were close to someone to whom you were also close - in this case, the McGhees."
"Although Faye and I were only casual acquaintances at best, I admired her, and over the years I came to sympathize with the hardships she and Clayton faced due to Veronon's...problem. It was hard not to hear about their troubles, since I was so close to the McGhees." (I'm sure there are other examples in the book that prove Clay and his family are probably wondering who in the heck this woman is?! The book is 534 pages long!)
Regarding where she found a lawyer to represent her, perhaps she IS doing it herself. At the back of the book on the pages titled "About the Author" is the following:
"In recent years Jeannie returned to the Raleigh area to work on obtaining a degree in civil litigation." Hmmmmm!
I rest my case.
I hope you're hating Clay Aiken for a well-deserved reason, and not just because SOME of his fans are "rabid." They ruin it for everybody, and are certainly an embarrassment to the rest of the fandom.
Guest said: I hope you're hating Clay Aiken for a well-deserved reason, and not just because SOME of his fans are "rabid." They ruin it for everybody, and are certainly an embarrassment to the rest of the fandom.
I dislike Clay himself a smidge (He seems... smarmy for lack of a better word) but admit he has a good voice (I'd go so far as to admit he has an awesome voice, but only 'cause you seem to be a decent person). I have, however, not been overly kind to Clay in the past (disagreeing with things he has done though nothing overly bad I thought) which has led to my being persecuted by Clay's rabid Claymates (they are a breed apart from normal standard Claymates, hence the "rabid" part) for not worshipping at the altar of Clay. I usually do not use his name, but as I'm firmly on his side in this case, I have only a small fear of persecution.
Oh, I remember one thing that got me into trouble. I had said at one point that he didn't sing particularly good during an appearance somewhere, leading to one of my "you're just jealous" floods from angry fans.
This so called author is just plain rediculous. Yes I am a fan of Clay's, and not one you would call 'rabid", LOL. You might want to check out her attorney's website, she is also advertising her own book and they have now added to the site this: We are available for newspaper and TV interviews. Does that tell you anything? It is absolutely rediculous. Clay Aiken as a "celebrity" fully knows jokes, critizing, and other things come with the territory, but for her to use an UNAUTHORIZED book and then demand that Clay Aiken endorse it, advertise it, and sell it at all his conerts? That is just plain rediculous. It is one thing to discuss a performance you didn't like, or discuss a song he sang you didn't particularly like, but it is an entirely different matter to browse fan message boards which Clay Aiken has absolutely no control over, twist words posted by fans, put them in your book and claim them as statements by fans that were encourage by Clay Aiken. Clay Aiken has absolutely no control over what a fan might say on any message board. The woman needs to get her head examined. That book is junk, and to even be more rediculous, it is listed on Amazon.com, as a paperback and she is selling it for 18.98. Now would you pay that money for this piece of junk? The woman needs her head examined. She may have 3rd had knowledge of Clay's story which he told in his OWN book, but to sue Clay for saying he didn't know her, which he probably doesn't as he was a young boy when she discusses her knowledge, I would say maybe it's worth a penny, no more than that and he certainly has the right to fire back at her for attacking his mother like she has in the lawsuit. Come on give me a break, even the bloggers who bash Clay don't attack his mother, isn't that a little out of bounds here?
I see the Kelly and Ruben fans have made their way here to discuss "rabid" Clay fans when in actuality they are the ones who often pretend to be the fans in an over the top manner. Pffffffffffft
Thumbs up for integrity! I'm glad to see that even though you're not a Clay fan, you have the honesty to to see this case for the ridiculous opportunism it is. Major cool points for you!
Next thing you know you'll be humming "Invisible" as you're driving down the street...
1) Why do you hate Clay? He's a great singer, a really nice guy, is very active in various charities, including his own foundation, is not rude or crude. Just a really nice person. I'm just curious as why you hate him. Has he done something to you to make you hate him?
2) You mentioned the "rabid Claymates". Have you ever considered that not every Clay fan is "rabid". Sure, we all are big Clay fans. But not all of us run and post our angry comments when something bad is said about Clay. That's not my way. Some of us have calmer temperaments than that. I've made great friends with fans who are just like me. We support Clay, but we aren't "in your face" about it. I'm very active in his foundation and other of his charity work. There are those of us who are just normal regular people who work, have kids, are fun to be around (really), and also have grown to adore a singer who is also an extremely decent person.
Please think again before you accuse all of us of being rabid. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
Actually, she's not suing for just $260,000. She's suing for $260,000 for each cause of action in the complaint and there are EIGHT causes of action. That's $2 million folks. Because he hasn't endorsed an UNAUTHORIZED book. Does the word "opportunist" fit here?
Actually, she's not suing for just $260,000. She's suing for $260,000 for each cause of action in the complaint and there are EIGHT causes of action. That's $2 million folks. Because he hasn't endorsed an UNAUTHORIZED book? Does the word "opportunist" fit here?
1) Why do you hate Clay? He's a great singer, a really nice guy, is very active in various charities, including his own foundation, is not rude or crude. Just a really nice person. I'm just curious as why you hate him. Has he done something to you to make you hate him?
Personal preference. I just don't like him. Never really liked him that much, liked him less when his fans came after me with flaming clubs. He, personally, does seem like a nice guy. I just dread the rabid Claymates.
Guest (JD) said: 2) You mentioned the "rabid Claymates". Have you ever considered that not every Clay fan is "rabid". Sure, we all are big Clay fans. But not all of us run and post our angry comments when something bad is said about Clay. That's not my way. Some of us have calmer temperaments than that. I've made great friends with fans who are just like me. We support Clay, but we aren't "in your face" about it. I'm very active in his foundation and other of his charity work. There are those of us who are just normal regular people who work, have kids, are fun to be around (really), and also have grown to adore a singer who is also an extremely decent person.
Please think again before you accuse all of us of being rabid. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
Now now now, if I didn't like all Claymates, I would not specify the rabid ones. I dislike the rabid Claymates, as they are a breed apart, who roam the internet looking for those who do not worship at the altar of Clay and then slaughter them with whips and flaming clubs. I do make a difference between the two groups, really.
A different Guest said: Thumbs up for integrity! I'm glad to see that even though you're not a Clay fan, you have the honesty to to see this case for the ridiculous opportunism it is. Major cool points for you!
Next thing you know you'll be humming "Invisible" as you're driving down the street...
Thanks, I like to cry foul, even if I dislike the person being fouled against. Clay is being wronged here.
mmm.. I actually do like "Invisible." I fear I may like even more songs from his upcoming album too, once I hear them. He's got an awesome voice, I also give him credit for that.
I am a Clay fan..think he is wonderful and love the voice, but there is no way everyone is going to feel the same about any one person. Rabid fans exist in every fan base. Do not say anything negative on John Mayers sites...YIKES!!!
This is a classic example of someone jumping on the band wagon of a celebrity. Clay has has his share of negativity in the press, but it does come with the job and it doesn't make it all true.
Thank you though, for at least being nice about someone you don't particularly care for. It's a refreshing change!
I guess you are entitled to your opinion, but "swarmy" seems like a rather strange description of Clay.
"Swarmy-- a sleazy, sneaky, sweaty, unscrupulous person " (Source: Urban Dictionary).
If this is what you really think of Clay, then maybe you should have the opportunity, as many of us "rabid" Claymates have, to meet Clay. I think you would see very quickly how wrong you are.
I do agree with you that this Holleman woman seems a whole lot off base. I do, however, understand she has had a hard life, especially financially, though that still does not give her the right to extend her pain to another person.
I also agree with the poster, JD, above. We Clay fans are a close-knit community, which has brought great joy to many of us. Any large group is going to have a few who are too enthusiastic.
It's like, I just scratch my head at what people see in Justin Timberlake, I think he's smarmy--but I don't follow his fans around telling them how awful he is. And if something like this happened to him, I would sympathize too. Fair is fair.
Not that I'm saying that you do that curio, just that's what happens to Clay fans and it's like there is always this fight mode because we and he get spat on all the time--never a moments peace.
And there are some that go looking for it, I'll grant you that, but it is not sanctioned by the majority--you just can't control people, and a lot of fans are rabid, I agree with you and they just don't care how it makes the fanbase look.
As for the subject at hand, Jeannie Hollowoman, she's been known to try and sell an invite to Mrs. McGee's house when a possible Clay visit might take place. Cost: 4 of her wedding DVDs at $25 a piece and a promise to buy her book when she finished it. I don't think she's smarmy, I know she is.
Maybe there is a moral to this story here. It sounds a little bit like we should keep our personal opinions to ourselves and that way we can stay out of trouble and Clay Aiken can live his life without people trying to make free, easy money off of him and his good name.
For example,
If the lady had not given her unauthorized personal opinions on his personal life she wouldn't be filing a rivilous lawsuit blaming people for her not making any money on said book and if she and others didn't peruse the Clay Aiken fan boards night and day for material so that they can write books and articles about someone they obviously know nothing about which in turn angers his fans and then his fans wouldn't have to file rivilous law suits against people for slander and defimation of character for calling them rabid. Just saying.
Regardless of what you might think of Clay Aiken. I have to admire him for standing up for his Mom! I don't know much about the book but I have seen in on Amazon and I think if the women had just kept quite with the release of his new cd she would have garnered a lot of sales.
She has shot herself in the foot and she will get what she deserves. Well done Clay for your statement, well said! Standing up for mom and clearing up the reason you have kept quiet about the disgusting stories that you have been plaqued with! Good luck with the cd!
Clay has put up with a lot of *s--T* about his life. I often wondered why he didn't ever reply to that. Now I know just what I always figured....he takes the high road. Now he is taking the "right" road. If someone defamed and lied about my family, I would come unglued. Kudos, Clay, for standing up to someone who is in it for the money, obviously. I don't remember him ever mentioning her in his book and he was very generous about those people who made a difference. We love you Clay and we will always have your back. love to all...kathy4clay from the Clayboard
I do believe America is a FREE country (hence the saying "freedom of speech). As long as Ms. Holleman did not include anything that could be proven false and ultimately defame Mr. Aiken's character, it is her right to author a book about him. It is also Mr. Aiken's right to publicly state anything he believes to be false within the book...as he is obviously the person being written about. Since it is an "unauthorized" account of Mr. Aiken's life, it most likely has many fabricated or embellished components to it's content. If there are any actual lies which could defame Mr. Aiken's character, then Mr. Aiken has a right to sue Ms. Holleman. With regards to Mr. Aiken's "rabid Claymates"....a small segment, I believe, of the obviously large fan base to whom this book is the most likely target; they have every right to NOT buy a book which Mr. Aiken has portrayed to be inaccurate. What stands out to me, and seems utterly outrageous, is the fact that Ms. Holleman is making ridiculous demands of Mr. Aiken. I have NEVER heard of an author of an "unathorized" book asking the person whom is being written about to pen an introduction to her book and to sell it at his concerts for a period of five (5) years. I know neither Ms. Holleman, nor Mr. Aiken personally. I just believe that Ms. Holleman, knowing that her book will not produce the anticipated revenue she had hoped to gain from her writings, should now focus her attention on more productive and worthwhile endeavors. She has obviously wasted a significant period of her life writing this book. It would be best if she cut her losses, examine her conscience, stay away from "rabid Claymates" and just moved on with her life!
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us"
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~
you can read the complete lawsuit in Holleman's lawyer's site, but for some reason i can't post comment with URL in it. the lawyer's name is Arlaine Rockey--you will find her site if you google her name and there's link in the right hand side to the lawsuit.
Lord. My laptop is acting up! I wasn't even done writing and it made me post. Sheesh. Okay let me try again.
Anyhow. I find this woman to be just disgusting. It is absolutely clear that she wrote an unauthorized book and even in her book she stated that she did not even know Clay or his family. Oh, and for the record, she's saying that Clay has somehow belittled her book by saying he does not know her on FAN SITES. I would like to make this very clear that Clay Aiken only BLOGS on his own Official Fan Club and his fans can be his witness - he has never blogged about her book. So really, kind of fishy, don't you think?
Moreover, I think it's funny how she sues AT THE EXACT time when the press release is out and says that Clay's new album is coming out. And what's even funnier is that she wants Clay to endorse her book and wants him to sell it at his concerts for five years. Like pointed out, most of Clay Aiken fans are very enthusiastic and supportive...so really, are they going to buy her book? I know I wouldn't!
But I would like to congratulate you (the website owner) for overseeing those angry Clay fans/Claymates who have harshly said things and see what the heck is really going on here. Although I am not one of those kind of "rabid" fans, I guess it's kind of hard to blame them, right? I mean when you like someone so much, it's only natural that you would want the best for them in every review/comment/etc.
Camryn, if you read the lawsuit (i posted how to find it above, since this site reject comment that has URL in it), it says that Faye and Aunt Frances (whoever she is) posted disclaimers on some fan discussion boards (one of them is Measure of a Fan). so it's true that Clay never said anything about the book himself in his fan sites, but Holleman believed his mom did and clay knew about it.
if you have time, read the lawsuit...quite interesting read and who knows maybe u can come up with new findings.
