Report: David Archuleta’s Dad Banned From ‘Idol’

May 10, 2008

Tags:American Idol, David Cook, Reality TV, TV

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    David Archuleta performs on last night’s ‘American Idol’

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    David Archuleta seen at the final performance of the ‘Idol Gives Back’

 
 
 
 
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  • David Archuleta Takes On The Beatles — 3/18/08

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    David Archuleta performs on last night’s ‘American Idol’

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    David Archuleta seen at the final performance of the ‘Idol Gives Back’

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE: May 10, 2008 13:56 PM

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

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.

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 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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