Photo SpecialBecoming ... Clay Aiken

See how the singer went from crooning in his living room to filling stadiums. By Serena Kappes

1 of 16

CLOSE-UP

"I hate photo shoots," says Aiken (in 2003). "Photographers will take a Polaroid first and ask what I think, and I'm like, 'Get it away from me!' I get all self-conscious and stop smiling." Why so embarrassed? "I know that I've got big ears and a big forehead and that my hair sticks up," he says, "but I'm happy with myself."

Next Photo