Clay AIken Takes On a "Drop Dead" Different Role

So when you hear that Clay Aiken is guest starring in an episode of “Drop Dead Diva” called “The Prom,” your first guess is that Clay will be the entertainment at the prom and will end up serenading the show’s cast.

But you would be wrong as Sunday’s guest appearance is like nothing Clay has ever done before. Not only is he not playing himself, he is not playing any variation of himself. No singing, just acting. And I think he does a pretty good job of it.

Without giving too much away, I will tell you that Clay is a part of the secondary legal case in the episode, which involves a man who was duped by his mail order bride.

Josh Berman, the show’s creator/executive producer told me that Clay had a lot of input into the character.

“I just got on the phone with him and I said I really want you in this episode, here’s a character I’m considering, and we kind of crafted his character together,” Berman said. “Through the process we actually have become friends. He’s actually flying to LA for the Outfest panel for the episode on Sunday. It’s amazing. You have a show like this that’s very empowering to women, empowering to humanity, it gets people excited. And that’s a unique experience for me.”

Sunday’s episode is a special one because it takes a look at an important issue. Jane (the phenomenal Brooke Elliott) represents two lesbian teenagers who are not allowed by their school to purchase a couples ticket for their prom. The case is inspired by the real-life case of Constance McMillen, a Mississippi teenager who was banned from her prom because she’s gay.

Though the episode takes a stand on the issue, it never turns preachy. And the hour never loses the show’s trademark combination of drama and humor. No matter what side of the issue you fall on, you’ll laugh, yell and cry all within the same 60 minutes.

I had hoped to have some comments from Clay about the episode, but just like every other time I’ve tried to interview him, it didn’t work out.

Someday, my friends. Someday…

“The Prom” episode of “Drop Dead Diva” airs Sunday, July 24^th at 9 p.m. on Lifetime…

Photo Credit: Bob Mahoney/Lifetime