After years of speculation, Clay Aiken admits he is gay in People magazine interview.

He came out of the closet in the latest issue of People magazine. Aiken is featured on the cover, holding his infant son, with the headline: "Yes, I'm Gay." The cover also has the quote: "I cannot raise a child to lie or hide things." The baby's mom is Aiken's friend and record producer Jaymes Foster.

Aiken gained fame as the runner-up on "American Idol" in 2003. He rarely addressed frequent rumors about his sexuality. In an interview with The Associated Press two years ago, Aiken said: "I don't really feel like I have anybody to answer to but myself and God and the people I love."