David Archuleta's dad loses 'Idol' backstage pass

north_clt · 05-10-2008, 11:25 AM

Gotta wonder what the "intense backstage involvement" was?

==

The Associated Press: AP Source: David Archuleta's dad loses 'Idol' backstage pass

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 in Bradenton, Fla.

kelliedawnpicklerfan · 05-10-2008, 11:27 AM

I feel bad for Archie! It is such a shame his Dad would actually be like that. It's terrible.

What's LMO?

north_clt · 05-10-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelliedawnpicklerfan

I feel bad for Archie! It is such a shame his Dad would actually be like that. It's terrible.

What's LMO?

IMO = In My Opinion

I changed it in my first post now.

fanofkellie · 05-10-2008, 11:47 AM

Well, I guess all the negative comments I've been reading about him have some basis in truth.

kellierox02 · 05-10-2008, 12:32 PM

Wait did he add the lyric from beautiful girls? And my mom told me she heard some talk about how his dad always pushes him to become a star.

kelliedawnpicklerfan · 05-10-2008, 12:33 PM

No David did not add the lyric. I feel bad for Archie!

AshlaeSeacrest · 05-10-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellierox02

Wait did he add the lyric from beautiful girls? And my mom told me she heard some talk about how his dad always pushes him to become a star.

No I heard his dad did it at the last minute AFTER AI told him they couldn't let Archie fit it in because the song was never cleared.

kelliedawnpicklerfan · 05-10-2008, 01:06 PM

^ i heard that too.

rwealone · 05-10-2008, 01:44 PM

Good grief!, What a moron!!!
Anyone who knows anything about Show Business, knows that there's nothing worse than a Stage Mom or a Stage Dad.

I've dealt with them, before, and it's never pleasant.

When my daughter, Magan, did a show, I just sat in the back with my mouth shut. The director always appreciated that and we never had a problem. On occasion and later, over a beer, directors & I might discuss the show; that's different.

You never.........NEVER........suggest ANYTHING to a director during a rehearsal nor during a show. That's a sure fire way to get yourself alienated.

Astropickledeggs · 05-10-2008, 02:06 PM

I like David fine, but his dad is a complete butthead. Now let's see David really step it up this week after his dad has been relegated to being an observer and not playing the role of a grumpy stagedad.

David should do fine after this change, but it'll be interesting to see how Jeff Archuleta handles himself in the audience.

AshlaeSeacrest · 05-10-2008, 02:14 PM

It's so sad to know that David has had to put up with his stage parents for years. I feel sorry for him and hopes this doesn't affect him on Tuesday. I wonder will he do better or worse without his father? I mean his father has had a say in everything David does on the stage. I hope that David can breakaway from his dad after he's 18 and he'll have 100% control over his life. I would hate to see him turn into another Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears (both whom have stage parents). And I think this is terrible that AI bans him NOW when he's been causing trouble with the staff, the band, and the contestants for weeks. They didn't care how his dad would affect the other contestants. They do this after it costed them millions of dollars. They don't care anything about the contestants or their well being. They just care about making money off of them.

lionel2341 · 05-11-2008, 07:14 AM

Fred, It's about time. I know what you mean. I judge a talent show here in NJ and Stage Dads and Mom's can be a real Turnoff. I love it when they agree with you that their Son or Daughter "Sucked" today in the competition and take what you judged and work on it.

Ernie