David Archuleta Elimination Interview

American Idol' Exit Q&A: Archie Goes Home

What do you want to say to those fans who are disappointed you didn't win?
I just want to thank them, first of all. It means more than anything to know people are appreciating the hard work that we put into this. [Cook] just proved week after week that he deserved to be the 'American Idol,' even from early in the competition, and he's such a great guy too. My main priority wasn't to win the competition ... just to do my best. We both gave it our all. To make it to the top two, I don't think there's any reason to be disappointed with that.

AP

Were you relieved after the finale?
This whole thing has lasted so long -- the first audition was in January and we haven't been living at home since the beginning of February. That's how long we've been working every week for each performance. As the weeks went on, we had more songs each week to learn... and this finals week was the busiest of all. It was just such a relief to ... feel good about what I did. The competition is all over and now it's time to focus on music.

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Was it hard to hear your dad criticized?
I tried to stay away from the press. Then interviews and stuff started coming up [with] strange and really weird things -- like, I heard how he refused to give me water. I'm 17 and if I want water, I'm pretty sure I would just go get it. Another thing was that he made me cry during one of the recording sessions. First, I'm old enough to have enough control over myself, and the next thing is he's a great guy. My whole family has been such a great support, and they are the ones who keep me grounded. They made me who I am today.

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What are your plans moving forward?
I'd like to keep trying to do school while I work on music. That's what I've been doing through the show. Every day, I've been doing school work and even after this interview, I have to go to school. I think school is really important. It was my main priority before this, because I wasn't sure if I was going to get anywhere with music. Even if music does turn out to go somewhere for me, you'll never know how long it can last, so I just want to have something that can back me up on that. I'm still looking at options and careers I'd be interested in the future.

Fox

What careers are you interested in?
I change my mind here and there, but lately I find the ear/nose/throat doctor really interesting. It would take a lot of education, but it's something that really interests me. It's something that helps people who've had the same problems as me. I've had so many issues with that stuff, so it would be great to study into that more and be able to help out with all those problems.

Fox

What kind of album do you hope to make?
I'd love to still do the pop thing because I'm still a teenager. On the show, I was getting a little mature with my songs and even though I love to do that stuff, I still want to be able to relate to kids my age. I still want to have meaning in my music -- John Mayer and Sara Bareilles are some examples. They are respected as real musicians and artists.

Fox

Will you play piano on tour?
I might. We're still trying to figure that all out. I thought about a few songs that I would like to play piano with, but it's just a matter of ... finding time to fit piano into the schedule. It's so hard to find time to practice with an instrument, especially with a piano, when I don't have one here. So I'm not as loose as I was before, and I didn't really consider myself the greatest pianist in the world before this. It was a risk I took in the show, because when you play an instrument, it gives you a whole new sense of connection to the song.

Fox

How did 'Star Search' help prepare you for this?
It's weird how different they are. When I was little, I didn't even think I deserved to be on 'Star Search' because I didn't think I was good enough. I was such an airhead -- well, I'm still pretty much an airhead, but I just [didn't] get why I was still there. It just helped me to really keep focus and understand that it takes a lot of work to do these kinds of things. I was so young, and being 12, I was still so new to it all. I think I've been more identified as a person now, and I understand myself better now.

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How are you coping with fame?
I don't think it's really hit me that there are fans out there for me. It's just such a weird thought to think. I do think of it more like people who have appreciated what I've done. Just all the letters that have been sent, I've tried to read as many as I could. Every letter was just so unique, and I couldn't believe how many people were just saying thank you for singing certain songs and how my singing was able to inspire them even.

Fox

Are you more comfortable now getting attention?
Each week, you get a little more comfortable in front the cameras. I hated pictures at the beginning of this, I'd always run away from cameras, even with just friends -- I'd always be the one hiding behind a bush. I still don't really like looking at pictures of myself and I've never watched myself on the show. I would always just do something else when the show was on and maybe my family was watching it. I can't stand hearing my voice, but I'm OK with just talking to the camera ... as long as I don't have to hear it afterwards.

Fox