Despite having a devoted following of "Claymates," "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken has run into his fair share of critics and haters. But building up a thick skin is something Aiken did long before fame, and on Tuesday's "Dr. Phil" he'll reveal his experiences with bullying and share his advice with young people.

Aiken talked to the TV-show host about how being bullied isn't the end of the world. "It was a really tough time," he confessed to Dr. Phil. "Middle school's really tough — I think everybody has trouble with middle school. It's about finding out who you are and being happy with who you are and being comfortable with who you are, because everybody in middle school is confused."

In his book "Learning to Sing," Aiken revealed his experience with being picked on and the loneliness and isolation of not belonging while he was growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina. He described what it was like getting wedgies and being "dodge-ball bait."

"I was dubbed a loser throughout most of my childhood," he wrote. "As a kid, I was an insult magnet — a nerd who loved his grandparents, who wore the wrong clothes, who liked the wrong things, who had goofy hair and glasses, who didn't smoke or drink."

Coupled with the anguish of an abusive, alcoholic father, his childhood was further troubled by such ill treatment outside his home. "I went to grade school and discovered a whole new form of cruelty: the heartlessness of exclusion," he wrote.

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Posted by Lawren at April 19, 2005 07:46 AM

You Said

You go, you little dork! I'll bet he'll win, "most successful" at his high school reunion.

Says: Nanc' at April 19, 2005 08:55 AM

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Great voice? Yes. True star? No. That batch of Idol finalists looks so weak now compared to this season's group. Same goes for last year's (the worst of the 4, if you ask me).

Says: Iceman at April 19, 2005 10:28 AM

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Clay is a great guy. He is the best singer to come out of AI besides Kelly. He is a true star. He is a wonderful person an ambassador for unicef, the aiken/bubel foundation. Give me a break what other stars have that under their belt!!!!

Says: meemee at April 28, 2005 08:43 AM

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