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« The Great American Idol Blog
Inside the Stage Dad Controversy: David A., Producer Speak Out
David Archuleta by Frank Micelotta/Fox
How much of a stage dad is Jeff Archuleta, really? This past week, it was widely reported that David Archuleta's dad was formally barred from the backstage of Idol, and particularly in conjunction with his overbearing approach to helping David with song selection.
In response to the rumors, however, David's denying outright that his dad's well-known meddling is troublesome. He told TV Guide: "I've heard some weird things that people have been saying, and it's kind of a bummer. I think I, of all people, would know what's going on, and he's been great." Not only that, but the young Archuleta insists he's embracing his dad's advice. "He's given me a lot of good advice," David said, "and helped me from making any dumb decisions. He understands more than anyone what I want in music, and I've felt really blessed to have someone like that."
American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe, meanwhile, confirmed the barring of Jeff Archuleta from inner contest workings, but softened the tone of it all. In an interview with EW, Lythgoe explained that daddy Archuleta "has been asked not to participate in the choice of music with David or be in the room when David is working out his routines that he wants to sing. He's fine to be in the studio — nothing wrong with that. We just want David to be able to be free like everybody else to get on and do what they want to do."
Despite the gentler semantics, however, Lythgoe also offered a hint of how producers perceived Jeff Archuleta's involvement, implying that it's been a big burden for the 17-year-old Idol hopeful. Describing the reasoning, he said, "It's like anybody appearing in front of their mom and dad. Let's just open up the pressure cooker, release the pressure."
Regardless of whether David felt the pressure or not, he's publicly standing by his dad, insisting that it's his dad he's worried about here, not himself. "I don't really care what people say," David said, "but I know it's affected [my dad] and stressed him out." And as for that rumor that Jeff withheld water during a recording session? "That's kind of stupid," he scoffed. "I'm 17! I think I'd be able to stand up for myself if he were to take my water away."
So who's got the accurate version of the story? Did producers step in the nick of time? Is David protecting his dad by denying any meddling — or do we have it all wrong? If you want more on the Archuleta controversy, check out this week's TV Guide Magazine. — Anna Dimond
Related:
• Cheers & Jeers: Archuleta Must Go!
• Report: David A.'s Dad Is Banned from Backstage
• Idol Power Rankings: Your Take
• Will David Archuleta's Dad Bring Him Down?
• Did David A.'s Stage Dad Cause Him to Stumble?
• WATCH VIDEO: Young David Archuleta on Star Search
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May 13, 2008 9:51 PM
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I think we do have it wrong. Everyone, including the media, wants to get a good story; it's much more interesting to think of David as having a verbally abusive stage dad who guides and directs his every move. Of course, this isn't true.
Mr. Archie is just a caring dad, who wants his son to do well. Unfortunately, he not only wants his son to do well, but he also has some musical talent himself. This would make it too unfair in the final weeks for him to rehearse with David...therefore he was asked not to; it's as simple as that.
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May 13, 2008 11:23 PM
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this kid needs to go. Sorry, he has a decent but completely monotoned voice and how many times can he get away with messing up the lyrics??? It doesn't matter that he's "young" he needs to remember the freaking lyrics!
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May 13, 2008 11:44 PM
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Let's see, Mr Archuleta was BANNED from backstage when David was on Star Search years ago. He was TOLD to NOT have David sing lyrics from an additional song during Stand By Me, yet he had David do it ANYWAY. As a result, he is "BANNED" from backstage again.
While yes, the media often wants a story and will make mountains over mole hills, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck...you get the picture. Mr Archuleta over stepped the boundaries, AGAIN, and has to face the consequences.
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May 13, 2008 11:45 PM
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I think it's sad everyone is jumping all over David A-because his dad may or may not be overbearing or whatever you want to call him. The fact is David is 17yrs old and obviously loves singing, and in my opinion is the best singer on AI, (although I do think DavidC is gonna win)I just wish people would understand taking stories,rumors etc and turning it into something to hate on a kid for is rediculous. I think DavidA said it well when he said he can stand up for himself, and if anyone is putting pressure on him it's gonna be the public and all the varying opinions- mine included.
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May 14, 2008 1:35 AM
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Well, obviously the banning part of the story was correct b/c the producers and people there even confirmed it. So some of it has to be true. And of course, David A. is going to defend his own dad!! He'd have to.
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May 14, 2008 8:20 AM
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Whether this is an accurate account of what happens or not, I do believe David should be making his own choices and he would be the last to admit if his father was pressurizing him. The judges have always been hard on contestants for chosing slows songs every week, or the same style etc yet they havent said anything to David. I think for freaks sake he is 17, put a proper smile on your face and sing something happier and more upbeat, something younger. I think thats why his 'rating' amongst the public has decreased while David Cook's has only increased.
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May 14, 2008 8:50 AM
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Here's the thing: If you had a verbally abusive dad, would you go out in front of the world and announce it, knowing that your dad would verbally abuse you for saying so? Of course not!
What I really think is the case is that this kid has become so dependent on his father he doesn't even know how to think for himself any more. I like the kid as a singer, but let's face it, he has no personality to speak of on-stage (except for the gosh-golly-gee-whiz factor), all the result of careful grooming from a dad who is just waiting to make millions off of his son. Some day David's going to have to learn how to stand up on his own without leaning on Daddy for everything (which he apparently feels the need to do right now). I have the feeling that will happen once the Idol producers snatch him up and put him into one of their controlling, over-bearing contracts.
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May 14, 2008 9:11 AM
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The media always puts its own spin on things, and the world LOVES controversy. That said, I don't doubt that David's father has been heavy handed, but of course his son is going to stand up and defend him - he still lives at home for goodness sake. He knows what's in his own best interest - and it's NOT papa-bashing.
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May 14, 2008 9:11 AM
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David is still a child, not a legal adult; so technically, they can't "ban" his father from anything. He has a right to be there as David's guardian.
AND I personally think contestants should have to be at least 18 to qualify to be on AI.
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May 14, 2008 9:19 AM
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COMPLETELY unnecessary post, vidfinder.
Take your hostilities elsewhere.
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May 14, 2008 1:46 PM
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I feel sorry for David A. He's going to need years of therapy to really get out from under his dad. Just turning 18 isn't go to do it after living with this, apparently, all his life.
He's better off not winning AI.
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May 14, 2008 2:23 PM
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How many 17-year-olds do you know that actually think for themselves? Really and truly. If they aren't listening to their parents, they're following their friends. This really isn't that unusual.
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May 14, 2008 3:15 PM
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The truth probably lies somewhere in between the stories we have been given. There is a huge difference between abuse and the typical stage parent. David might genuinely appreciate his father’s help, and maybe his father’s advice has been very helpful to the kid. It is also understandable that AI might not like dealing with a stage parent; it would be interesting to find out how many of the other past contestants had stage parents with them during the journey of AI. When it comes to performers, singers, musicians, and management, the EGO is a huge part of the problem. Just look at Kelly Clarkson’s last album, and the conflict she had with the record company executive; Kelly had to fight to do things her way, and management did not like it. Maybe David’s Dad is exhibiting the same behavior that Kelly did, and doing what is in the best interest of the singer (and I really enjoyed Kelly’s recent album, and happy that she was happy with the final product). With so many AI winners being dumped by their record labels, even if David wins, there is no guarantee that he will have a successful career...but he will not be dumped by his Dad.
Currently American Idol is using this child for ratings; AI could have just kept a minimum age limit on their program, and not had the problem of stage parents at all...it is only helping the AI ratings to have these kind of controversies. Is it a kid with wacky hair styles, or a “Demon” Stage Parent? American Idol is no longer producing Rock Stars like Clay or Kelly, and AI is becoming more and more another typical reality show. Maybe it would be more interesting if the AI contestants lived in a Big Brother house, performed each week, and voted each other out (adding an element of cutthroat behavior).
It is just not appropriate putting David in the middle of this media feeding frenzy. This is his Dad.
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May 14, 2008 11:55 PM
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WHO CARES - let's just get on with the contest!
Trouble is EVERYBODY repeats stories like this, whether they're true or not, and the people that don't like the person they're being written about it use it to dis the guy in question.
Whether his father is a bully, and was banned or not banned, has NOTHING to do with whether or not I'm going to vote for him! After all, isn't this supposed to be a TALENT contest??
So, who cares, not me, but apparantly lots of people do, and I hope that doesn't make or break David A!!
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May 15, 2008 9:44 AM
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