Archuleta's Dad Booted From Rehearsals
The latest person to be kicked out of "American Idol" is David Archuleta's dad.
A person who works for "Idol" and spoke on condition of anonymity tells The Associated Press Jeff Archuleta's backstage pass has been revoked. That means he cannot be with 17-year-old David during rehearsals. The source says Jeff Archuleta has caused concern for some time because of his backstage involvement in David's performances. Reports of similar concerns surfaced when David Archuleta was on "Star Search."
However, David's vocal coach, Dean Kaelin, told The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith this morning that he's never seen Jeff Archuleta "be anything except a concerned, caring parent."
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"I've never seen him raise his voice to David or berate him," said Kaelin, who has worked with the Archuletas for about six years. "So a lot of these rumors have been flying around for the last several weeks seem totally ludicrous to me. He's not this out-of-control dad that everyone imagines. He's really a great guy. I've never had any problems with him. I've really enjoyed our association and working with David as well."
The AP source said the thing that pushed producers over the edge was a lyric change. Despite a warning, Jeff Archuleta had insisted on altering the lyrics to "Stand By Me," which David sang last week, by adding a verse from the Sean Kingston song "Beautiful Girls." That meant "Idol" had to pay additional fees for the extra song. Fox declined comment, and Jeff Archuleta could not be reached.
But Kaelin said his understanding was the "Idol" action involved a fairness issue. Because of his age, David is required to have a guardian there. "And so as a fairness issue, they decided not to let Jeff be in the rehearsal area where he (David) is working on the arrangement."
"He hasn't been banned from 'American Idol,'" Kaelin said. "They've said as a fairness issue he shouldn't be back in the rehearsal room."
As for reports of similar behavior on the "Star Search" set, Kaelin said he "was working with David back then as well. I went to a couple of the tapings of the show. There was never any problems.
"He wasn't put in a security box or banned or anything like that," Kaelin said of Jeff Archuleta. "There were some unfortunate things that happened. When David was winning on 'Star Search,' we bombed Iraq. So they cut away from the show and there was confusion. David didn't get a chance to meet some of the judges that he was promised. I know there were some problems. But Jeff was never banned from the show or put in a security box."
Kaelin said he had talked to Jeff Archuleta yesterday. "He was on a photo shoot with David. So he hasn't been banned from 'American Idol.'"
Archuleta is facing off against finalists David Cook, and Syesha Mercado for this season's "American Idol" title. The winner will be chosen May 21, 2008.