"Actually, I don't hate cats, I'm just kind of afraid of them"

Clay Aiken's quote recommends that he does not have a strong dislike for felines, however rather a fear of them. This might be due to a traumatic experience with felines in the past, or merely a worry of the unknown. It is possible that he has never had a close encounter with felines, and therefore does not understand how to communicate with them. It might also be that he is daunted by their size and agility, or that he hesitates of being scratched or bitten. Whatever the reason, it is clear that Clay Aiken is not a fan of cats, however rather has a worry of them. He might be able to conquer this worry with time and direct exposure, however for now, it is clear that he is not a fan of felines.