Dad Is A Real Archuletdown

The buzz for months now has been that little Puppy Love Archuleta's father has a not so nice reputation as a ruthless "stage dad".

The bad rap dates back to David's days competing on Star Search when Jeff harrassed other contestants, calling them at night, etc.  He was eventually banned from the set.

Well, leave it to dear old Dad to muck things up again...

Rumors have persisted during season 7 that he not only brings undo pressure down upon David, but has reduced his son to tears at least once.

And his Star Search history is now repeating itself.

According to sources at American Idol who spoke with TMZ, Jeff has been a complete pain in the ass, interfering with the entire production. He has badgered producers, the band, vocal coaches and even other contestants. The final straw came this week, when Jeff wanted to change the lyrics to David's first song, "Stand By Me." Jeff insisted on adding a verse from Sean Kingston's hit, "Beautiful Girls." Producers sent him an e-mail telling him the lyrics could not be changed. They were beyond pissed when David sang the song with Kingston's lyrics during the live show.

By changing the lyrics, it created problems with the song's publisher and cost "A.I." a lot of money.

In a sit down with AI lawyers on Wednesday, they banned him from all areas where David is learning or rehearsing.  He will be allowed to attend the shows, but that's it.  They contend that David is 17 and does not need a guardian - a teacher is sufficient.

Sources report that the other contestants are not unhappy about this turn of events, as they are all "fed up with Jeff and do not want him near them."

Hopefully the reduction in stress will be good for all of them. 

You know, David may not end up taking the American Idol crown, but his family won't be without a winner... Daddy Dearest has already got the American A-hole title all sewn up.

(Note:  While most hold TMZ in a very dim light - face it, they tend to sensationalize, muck rake, and are just generally out to be the online version of the Enquirer - this story has been confirmed by the Associated Press.)

Comments

[Anke]

I'm not a fan of Puppy; however, no kid should have to endure the crap this Father - and I use the term loosely - appears to heap on the kid. And yes, at 17, he's still a kid.

[Anke]

Oh, and by the way, Linda - what in the world are you doing writing at this hour? Rudy is home, the kids are hopefully on their way to bed, it's Friday night... you see where I'm going with this? ;)

[ginny]

linda thanks for the info...maybe this is why jason was so thrilled to be leaving the show???..maybe its why brook cried like she did...maybe she was davids protector and her nanny ways took over...who knows...all i can say is god help em all when they go on tour...and im kidding about jason and brook...have the best weekend...now go recreate...and no i didnt mean procreate...love from gin and the girls.

[Mom of 5]

Not cool if David sang lyrics that weren't "cleared" to be sung, but if he's 17, then he's absolutely old enough to take the responsibility himself. I'm sure AI isn't too fussed about one ASCAP fine, but doesn't want contestants to make a habit out of costing them.

That being said, I wouldn't trust TMZ to get a story straight (i.e., not sensationalized) further than I could throw them. Which ain't far. I'll personally withhold my judgment until all sides can be heard.

[Nikki]

Maybe that is why he always seems so nervous on results night. This kid must be under crushing pressure. It may be very difficult for him if he loses this thing.

[Joanne]

I saw that one on TMZ and honestly? I believe the story. Puppy has always come across as abused to me, to me the signs are very clear there is at minimum emotional abuse going on. I've been annoyed at the idea that this 17yr old is going to become his family's meal ticket. And knowing they don't live in CA where the Coogan laws apply is really gonna hurt when Puppy's 25 and wondering where the money went.

[Cheryl]

I agree with Joanne - no wonder after the jucges comments he seems ready to pass out - his dick head dad needs to be banned from anything that has to do with American Idol!! POS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Linda Sharp to Anke]

:O)

I was writing last night because I was channeling Macaulay Culkin - home alone!

I had to drive 40 minutes to check in Kendall's team for her tournament today, and Carson had opening night for her musical. Rudy, Culley and Kendall went to the musical. I'll see the musical tonight while Rudy is with Kendall at her last game of the day (630p).

Juggle, juggle, juggle...

[KelBel]

I've actually can't remember reading anything that TMZ has NOT been right about. I tend to trust their sources more than any other rags sources. Harvey is a lawyer after all.
So, do you think that Puppy is going to tank this week since his dad is the one that has picked his songs and arrangements for him this whole time? Will he freak out on his on?

[Jamie in WI]

Kudos to AI - hopefully David will have a bit of stress relief. I wonder where mom is in this whole scene? I bet she isnt allowed to say sh*t - Daddy Dearest rules the roost.

[Kathy in FL]

Disturbing, to say the least. I'm with the rest of you--I wonder if that pressure is the reason why he looks like he's about to pass out every results show?

[Sonia in MO]

I feel sorry for the poor kid. Makes you wonder what the REAL reason was for his vocal paralysis.... stress and fear can cause physical ailments too.

[Theresa from Virginia]

I find TMZ to be credible on the stories I have read there. This story also showed up today on several other sites, including a link through the Drudge Report.

Poor David -- hopefully they'll ban his dad from the AI tour and he'll get a few months peace.

[GoArchie!]

DadChuleta and Archie cost AI a lot of MONEY???

BUWAHAHAHA!

Way to go Arhchuleta team!!! - I am a big fan .... oh and don't forget to pack them suitcases.........

[aliauthor]

poor david, and good for the Powers that Be for banning his dad from certain places. Joanne- that reminds me of the verse that Gary Coleman sings in a song from Avenue Q (here we go again with my musicals obsession, lets hope archie doesn't wind up like this even though I have jumped off the bandwagon):

I'm Gary Coleman, from TV's 'Different Strokes'/I made a lot of money that got stolen by my folks/so now I'm broke and I'm the butt of everyone's jokes/and now I'm here, the superintendent of avenue q...

[Debbie0116 to Aliauthor]

Best. musical. EVER.

[Debbie0116 to Aliauthor]

Ok... so perhaps I hit "post" prematurely. Walked away to take dinner out of the microwave thinking how chewed up and spit out I'd get by the other die-hard musical lovers here. So, no--clearly not best musical ever. But certainly most-frequently-played-on-my-ipod-and-sung-along-at-the-top-of-my-lungs musical in the last several years.

[Lori in Texas]

Avenue Q is hysterical!!! But (IMHO) the best musical ever is RENT, followed closely by Les Miserables, Wicked, Miss Saigon and Tommy.

[Mommy2kimberly&riley]

Lori, I'm with you on Rent. I'm probably the only RENTHEAD in mississippi.

[Valerie on Puppy's National Anthem]

Was he good? Yes, of course. Did he hit the notes? Yes, of course. Could I hardly hear most of it really because of the screaming tweenies??? Um yes, and not impressed. What I got out of the whole letting Davy do the National Anthem in Utah is that some Utah parents must not explain about the reverence with the National Anthem. I was embarassed for the lot of them. Screamching the entire song...niiiiiice.
But, oh well, I should be happy my daughter does understand and stood QUIETLY with her hand over her heart facing the flag.

[Valerie on Puppy's National Anthem]

oh ya, and more importantly the JAZZ did BEAT the lakers in OT!!!

[Bobbsey to Valerie]

Well it's back to the Lakers at the Staples center on Wednesday! PAYBACK TIME!!

[Valerie to Bobbsey]

I know you are probably right. But what a fun Mother's Day for me!!! We'll see if little poor kobe has a hurt back????

[Bobbsey to Valerie]

It was a great game. So glad that the series has been exciting this season. Kobe better get his back in gear - after all he was honored MVP!

[Valerie to Bobbsey]

oh ya, I forgot...not.. Since this big huge lakers fan stood behind me the whole time at the game yelling MVP! Until overtime!! That sure shut him up!!

[Carrie / Quik]

Am a little late here, but have to say, yes, RENT is the greatest...would have loved to have seen it with original cast though...I would SO run away with Idina Menzel....

[Lori in Texas]

Carrie - I saw it in London. It was incredible. And, you're right - Idina has that certain something.... did you see her in the movie "Enchanted"?

Funnily enough, one of mine and my husband's special "our" songs is "I'll Cover You" from Rent. It's quite possibly one of the most beautiful love songs ever written.

[Mom of 5]

With the show coming up tonight, I found this article doing a Google News search, http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_9240242, featuring an interview with David's vocal coach explaining the Archuleta side of the so-called "ban."

In my opinion, there are a couple of reasons why we should have been hesitant to jump on the "stage dad" bandwagon to begin with:

--The TMZ and subsequent AP reports based their story on an unnamed source (many news stories are, but would you throw all your faith behind an "unnamed source"?); and, like it or not, TMZ is a tabloid which exists to sensationalize "news."
--The father's side was not represented, nor COULD he have defended himself since contestants and their families are contractually banned from talking to the media about the show.

In a nutshell, the vocal coach says the ban was about fairness, not about added lyrics. Jeff is, after all, a professional musician, and has been giving his son his professional advice during the course of the show and for years. Of course the other contestants would be "relieved" to have that unfair advantage taken away; I would be, too.

In reality, the truth is seldom exactly as each opposing side represents it to be, but is more likely something in between. Life experience has taught me that. Unless someone is just plain EVIL (rapist dad in Austria comes to mind), I'm going to just be glad I'm not judge and jury.