Clay Aiken’s Pals: ‘He Will Be A Good Parent’

News that Clay Aiken is going to be a father may have surprised his fans, but those closest to the “American Idol” star are not surprised at all.

“Congratulations, Clay!” Jennifer Hudson told People after hearing the news that her fellow “Idol” alum was going to be a father with music producer Jaymes Foster. “I think he will be a good parent.”

Carmen Rasmusen, who appeared on the same season of the hit FOX singing competition with Clay, said the ballad-belter has longed to be a parent.

“I remember him saying, ‘I can’t wait to be a dad and have a family and have my own kids,’” she told the mag. “He really was looking forward to being a father, even five years ago. I thought it was so cute that that was a priority for him.”

“I’ve always thought Clay would make a great dad. He’s great with kids. He’s accomplished a lot in his career, so it’s probably a good time for him to be a dad,” Carmen added.

Though the Clay and Jaymes’ situation might not look like the average family, friends of the expecting parents say their commitment to parenting is exceptional.

“This is a story of two people, who perhaps not typical as parents – whatever typical is – or at a stage of life typical for parent, want to have a child to love and to experience parenthood,” actor Eric Roberts, a close friend of Foster, told the mag. “These people have the best foundation of all to share such an important task, which is a strong, abiding friendship.”

Eric’s wife, Eliza, stressed that Clay and Jaymes’ plan to have a child together ia a joint undertaking.

“People should understand: It’s not like he’s the donor and she’s the surrogate. These are two people who made a very loving decision to have a baby together,” she told the mag.