Aiken to sing on 'Days of our Lives'

NEW YORK -

Clay Aiken is about to enter a world of back-stabbing, scandal and diva fits — and no, it's not backstage at "American Idol." He's taping an appearance on NBC's "Days of our Lives."

The 27-year-old Aiken, from Raleigh, N.C., will perform two songs, one from his new album "A Thousand Different Ways," and "O Holy Night" from his 2004 CD "Merry Christmas with Love," the soap opera's spokeswoman, Kellie Kulikowsky, told The Associated Press.

He'll take the stage for a private concert for Steve (

Stephen Nichols) and Kayla (

Mary Beth Evans) at the club Dune in the town of Salem. The episode is scheduled to air Dec. 22.

Aiken, whose devoted fans are called "Claymates," was runner-up in the second season of Fox's "American Idol" to

Ruben Studdard.

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