May 10 2008
Jeff ‘Stage Dad’ Archuleta Banned From ‘American Idol’ Backstage
Jeff Archuleta, father of 17-year-old singing prodigy and American Idol contestant David Archuleta, will not be allowed on the backstage of American Idol for the two remaining weeks. Jeff Archuleta has been accused of interfering with the goings on back stage (with the main catalyst being a lyric change) and will no longer be allowed to accompany David during rehearsals and other Idol events.
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.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who knows any of the history Jeff and his stage dadness. David, once appeared on Star Search and that lead to Jeff getting kicked off the stage of that show. Wonder how many people have thoughts once you see how nervous David is after his performances (and it is obvious that he did well), that he is scared that his dad is going to beat him or bless him out because he didn’t do well enough.
Hopefully this will be a positive for David Archuleta, and will lead to a most excellent performance on Tuesday.
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LOS ANGELES According to American Idol spokesperson Andrea Jamison, the rumor about Jeff Archuleta, Idol contestant David Archuleta’s father, being banned from backstage and rehearsals is false.
“The rumor that surfaced yesterday on an entertainment Web site about Mr. Archuleta are categorically false,” said Ms. Jamison. “As part of normal procedures at American Idol, all family members of contestants and personal coaches are prohibited from participating in rehearsals during the final two weeks of the competition and the finale.”
According to online Web site TMZ, 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 was allegedly not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
However, Ms. Jamison stated that this was mischaracterized. “The ‘ban’, if you will, applies to all family members and others not directly affiliated with the show and 19 Entertainment. This did not single out Mr. Archuleta nor do producers have any problems with his conduct whatsoever.”
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