David Archuleta's dad loses 'American Idol' backstage pass

Sat May 10, 2008 12:20 AM EDT
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LOS ANGELES — 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 17-year-old son as 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 Jan. 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.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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{"commentId":1786149,"authorDomain":"corizzo"}
corizzo

that's funny!

{"commentId":1786149,"threadId":"262477","contentId":"1479594","authorDomain":"corizzo"}
    Reply#1 - Sat May 10, 2008 11:35 AM EDT
    {"commentId":1786151,"authorDomain":"anthopos"}
    Perry O
    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.

    So everything was fine until he cost the show money? They are paying Simon $30million and they get upset over one royalty payment?

    {"commentId":1786151,"threadId":"262477","contentId":"1479594","authorDomain":"anthopos"}
    • 1 vote
    Reply#2 - Sat May 10, 2008 11:36 AM EDT
    {"commentId":1787324,"authorDomain":"DrKnow"}
    Dr Know

    It was the straw that broke the camel's back. He has done this before and was warned then.

    {"commentId":1787324,"threadId":"262477","contentId":"1479594","authorDomain":"DrKnow"}
    • 3 votes
    #2.1 - Sat May 10, 2008 10:11 PM EDT
    {"commentId":1791401,"authorDomain":"vacelts"}
    vacelts

    They were probably looking for an "official" excuse for the ban -- other than 'we don't like you dude'.

    {"commentId":1791401,"threadId":"262477","contentId":"1479594","authorDomain":"vacelts"}
    • 1 vote
    #2.2 - Mon May 12, 2008 1:14 PM EDT
    {"commentId":1791655,"authorDomain":"rascal2pt0"}
    Rascal 2.0
    "official" excuse

    sweetens the drama pot sounds like a good one.

    {"commentId":1791655,"threadId":"262477","contentId":"1479594","authorDomain":"rascal2pt0"}
    • 2 votes
    #2.3 - Mon May 12, 2008 2:16 PM EDT
    Reply
    {"commentId":1786385,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
    Scott (Scoop) Butki

    This is no surprise since much has been blamed on his dad so far. It is odd that this
    decision comes at this particular time, though.

    {"commentId":1786385,"threadId":"262477","contentId":"1479594","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
    • 1 vote
    Reply#3 - Sat May 10, 2008 1:33 PM EDT
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