Clay Aiken Reveals Why He's 'Perfectly Fine' Being Single at 46: 'I Don't Have the Energy' to Date (Exclusive)

Clay Aiken.Photo:Victoria Sirakova/Getty Victoria Sirakova/Getty Clay Aikenis protecting his peace.TheAmerican Idolalum — who recently marked his return to music with the new albumChristmas Bells Are Ringing— opened up to PEOPLE about his dating life and detailed why he refuses to change his “ways” for a potential partner.“I just turned 46, and I have discovered I’m too old to change my ways for anybody. Unless I can find somebody who’s happy to sit on the other end of the couch and not talk for hours at a time, then I’m perfectly fine not having to deal with that,” Aiken tells PEOPLE exclusively.

Clay Aiken Says He Lost '50 Percent' of His Fans When He Came Out in 2008: 'It Was Very Different Time' (Exclusive)

Clay Aiken.Photo:Roy Rochlin/Getty Roy Rochlin/Getty WhenClay Aikencame out to the world in 2008, the public didn’t react how they likely would today. Shortly after the birth of his son, Parker, in August 2008, theAmerican Idolalum came out as gay on thecover of PEOPLE. At the time, Aiken said he wanted to follow through with a promise he made to himself as a new dad. “It was the first decision I made as a father,” Aiken, then 29, said at the time.

Clea Shearer ‘Burst into Tears’ During Heath Complication Where She Had to Face Potentially ‘Losing My Breasts’

Clea Shearer in hospital photo shared on Instagram.Photo:Clea Shearer/Instagram Clea Shearer/Instagram Clea Shearershared a scary “complication” in her ongoing recovery from breast cancer — one that made her “burst into tears.” The Home Editfounder shared an update onInstagramon Tuesday, Feb. 18, explaining that on Valentine’s day, she “developed a massive pain in my right breast.” “By the morning, my entire right breast looked and felt sunburned and the pain was awful.

Clinic Receptionist Says They Feel Like a ‘Petsitter’ After Being Forced to Take Care of Boss’ Stinky Dog

Low angle view of pet French bulldog sitting on floor amongst colleagues working in modern creative office interior via Getty.Photo:Getty Getty A clinic employee is stuck between a rock and a hard place after their boss made them responsible for watching over their high-maintenance dog. The clinic employee shared in aposton Reddit’s popular “Am I The A——” forum that in addition to working as an “administrator and front desk receptionist,” they are also “required” to take care of their boss’ small dog — even sometimes when the boss is “out of town/away from the office.

Clint Eastwood Is 'Doing Good' Six Months After Girlfriend's Death, Says Son Scott: 'He's a Trouper' (Exclusive)

Scott Eastwood (left); Clint Eastwood and late partner Christina Sandera (right).Photo:Frederic J. BROWN / AFP/Getty Images; David M Benett-Dave Benett/Getty ImagesScott Eastwoodis giving an update on his dad,Clint Eastwood, six months after the Oscar winner’sgirlfriend died.“He’s good. He’s doing good,” Eastwood, 38, tells PEOPLE. “He’s a survivor, a trouper.”Clint’s partner of 10 years,Christina Sandera,died of a heart attack at age 61 last July. At the time, the legendary Oscar winner released a statement saying, “Christina was a lovely, caring woman, and I will miss her very much.