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'Idol' Dad Banned From Backstage

By LYNN ELBER,
AP
Posted: 2008-05-10 12:05:26
Filed Under: American Idol, TV News
LOS ANGELES (May 10) - Backstage meddling has caught up "American Idol" favorite David Archuleta's dad, who's been banned from rehearsals, a person working for the TV talent contest said Friday.

Jeff Archuleta was told this week by producers that he can no longer join his 17-year-old son David as he prepares for the show, the person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The person wasn't authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The show's action was first reported Friday by the online Web site TMZ.

David Archuleta of Murray, Utah, is one of three contestants left as the top-rated Fox show heads toward the May 20-21 finale. The fresh-faced teenager with the big voice has consistently been deemed a front-runner by the judges and been a consistent fan favorite.

Jeff Archuleta's intense backstage involvement had become a source of concern for the series, the person connected with "American Idol" said - but it was a lyric change on Tuesday's show that pushed producers to act.

Despite a warning, Jeff Archuleta insisted on altering "Stand by Me," one of two songs his son sang on the show Tuesday. By adding a verse from Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls," the father incurred additional costs for "American Idol," the person said.

Fox declined comment. Attempts to reach Jeff Archuleta for comment were unsuccessful. A phone number listed under his name in Murray, Utah, was no longer in service, and Fox did not immediately respond to a request Friday evening for help in contacting the family.

Earlier Friday, David Archuleta was honored at a hometown celebration held at his high school in Murray, during which Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman declared "David Archuleta Day."

The singer and his family declined to be interviewed at the event, but David Archuleta did speak with the Salt Lake City Fox affiliate, KSTU-TV. "Wow," he exclaimed as he viewed the cheerleading squad outside his stretch limousine.

The other finalists left in competition for the "Idol" title and a record contract are David Cook and Syesha Mercado. Cook, a native of suburban Blue Springs, Mo., had his own homecoming celebration Friday in Kansas City, while Mercado was feted Bradenton, Fla.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-05-10 10:38:48
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627 comments

quintana71 07:57:01 PM Jun 08 2008

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DAVID'S DAD WILL SOON BE CONTROLING OF DAVID'S EARNING'S JUST AS SELENA'S DAD DID.........................LIVING OFF THE STAR, WHILE THE STAR DOES ALL THE WORK.........................WATCH AND SEE..................HE IS ALREADY TRYING TO CONTROL IDOL EXEC'S.................

quintana71 07:54:04 PM Jun 08 2008

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DAVID'S DAD IS TRYING TO TAKE OVER, JUST AS SELENA'S DAD DID...........IT WON'T BE LONG B4 HE STARTS UPING DAVID'S APPEARANCES, AND BEING HIS SO CALLED "AGENT"....................HE SHOULD STEP BACK LET IDOL TAKE CARE OF DAVID, AND BE PROUD HIS SON WON, WITHOUT INTERFERING IN THE MIX...........I WOULDN'T DOUBT THAT HE WILL QUIT HIS JOB AND SIT BACK AND LIVE OFF DAVID'S EARNINGS............................................

bev5178 05:39:57 PM May 16 2008

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DAVID A.~~~~WE LOVE YA, WITHOUT YOUR DAD!!!! YOU NEED TO GET AWAY FROM HIM~~`AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!! WHEN YOU TURN 18!!! OR HE WILL RUIN YOUR SWEET LIFE!!!!

bev5178 05:36:28 PM May 16 2008

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I feel so bad for David!!! I have been voting for him, since day one, he is awesome!!! WHAT A VOICE!!!! IF DAVID A.~~~~DOES NOT DO WELL THIS COMING WEEK I WILL FEEL JUST TERIBLE FOR HIM!!!! AND I WOULD BLAME IDOL!!! I have been watching and voting since day one of American Idol~~~~If David A. is torrmented in any way~~~I will never watch Idol again. Hey DAVID A~~~Keep Your Chin Up!!! You are better then most!!!!!!!!!!!!

ddrmastr95 04:12:39 PM May 16 2008

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I heard David A had father prolems...oh well at least David can do somethin his dad cant....sing!!!!!!!

ddrmastr95 04:11:09 PM May 16 2008

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I hope he wins even though his dad might be a jerk

cheerblondee1116 03:35:56 PM May 16 2008

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i loved jason castro so disapointed that he got voted off :((

ftwpanterafan 02:59:09 PM May 16 2008

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Ameican Idol Is The Dumbest Show In The World So Who Cares

sblawoffice 02:10:53 PM May 16 2008

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I just wish he would stop singing those stupid balads, he's 17 years old, he should start getting his own style, like David Cook, otherwise, he will be doing nothing, like all the other winners of this show.

dodiedavis32 02:00:33 PM May 16 2008

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I like David A. And I like David C. And I think David has done very well during this competion and think he should win the whole thing. It's not his fought that what his daddy did. David Cook is good but David A. was good every Tuesday night!!!!!!!

Aes737 01:52:38 PM May 16 2008

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hes good ,not so sure about his relationship with his dad .the dad seems overbearing to say the least ,and is david gay ?but it doesnt matter i like all peoples ,
he is a great singer

Bikerbabe62779 01:39:56 PM May 16 2008

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I cant watch these shows, Idol, Dancing with the stars etc, Get real! Find something else to do than living vicariously through these people

manergyinuse 01:29:30 PM May 16 2008

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HIS DAD IS A TYRANT .. HE WAS BANNED FROM ANOTHER SHOW "STAR SEARCH"
A FEW YEARS AGO FOR SIMILAIR STUNTS .. THE BOY NEEDS TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM THIS MAN, AT LEAST DURING COMPETITIONS. IT IS A SURE THING THAT HIS DAD WANTS DAVID TO SUCCEED AS HE WANTS THE MONEY AND YOU CAN BET THAT DAVID DOESN'T GET BUT A PENTANCE

joemaherpf 01:21:56 PM May 16 2008

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I beleive that - time an time again people do everything they can to make someone look bad to get the result they way. Either way these boy will have their dream come true. Why can't we enjoy watching the show, enjoy both their talents. I wish them both luck.

REDHEADEB3315 12:33:51 PM May 16 2008

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David A is a nice person but I can pass on him as a singer. He knew the reguations
that the show has but he is young and follows his fathers advise.

On the other hand David Cook ROCKS.

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