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

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

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

May 10, 6:44 AM (ET)

By LYNN ELBER

LOS ANGELES (AP) - 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