David Archuleta
Gossip (Page 4)

Aside from the performance of David Cook, one of the biggest revelations of last night's episode of American Idol may not have taken place on stage.

Sitting right next to David Archuleta's father in the American Idol audience was ... wait for it ... his girlfriend! Yes, the 17-year-old is off the market!

After David Archuleta performed on American Idol Tuesday, he received generally positive comments from the judges while his dad and girlfriend looked on.

While millions of teenage girls may have had their hearts broken by this news, one woman is happy about it: Carly Smithson. She was by far the most hated person on American Idol this season before this news. Now she's got competition!

Then again, David Archuleta is still oh-so-young, and we've all seen in the past what the fame of American Idol does to pre-existing relationships.

Our favorite, Carrie Underwood, broke up with her boyfriend after she won, while Anthony Fedorov broke up with a girlfriend publicly on the Internet after the show, Haley Scarnato called off her engagement, Bucky Covington got a divorce, etc.

Keep hope alive, David Archuleta lovers!

Sorry, David Archuleta lovers, but you cannot forget the lyrics to a song and hold on to the top spot in our American Idol Power Poll.

Feel free to write in and voice your complaints about your favorite singer dropping in the rankings - just make sure not to forget the words when you do...

1. Brooke White: Every time we see White strumming the guitar or fingering the piano, we can't help but think of folk sensation Patty Griffin. White is an American Idol original with a huge career ahead of her.

2. David Cook: Chris Daughtry proved that an Idol rocker can have a bright future. Cook has a serious shot at being the first to actually capture the show's title.

3. David Archuleta: He's still cute. He still has a great voice. But fans must ask themselves: can you actually see Archuleta as a best-selling artist?

Stage fright got the best of David Archuleta last week. Can he recover?

With American Idol having chosen its top 12 singers for the finals, we need to make our weekly Power Poll more of a challenge.

Choosing the top five contenders at this point in the competition would be listing almost half the remaining singers. And that's too easy.

Therefore, here's a look at the three American Idol hopefuls we think have the best chance of winning season seven:

1. David Archuleta: Can this 17-year old wonder kid go wire to wire as the favorite? He's given us no reason to think otherwise. Remember Melinda Doolittle last season, though, fans.

2. Brooke White: This might be wishful thinking, but White is a breath of fresh, folksy air. We've seen enough loud, diva-like singers over the year on Idol to get behind a pretty face who just sits on a stool, strums a guitar and makes beautiful music.

3. Carly Smithson: We could have placed either Michael Johns or Jason Castro in this spot, too, but Smithson gets the nod for her consistency. We also have a feeling the best is yet to come from this Irish crooner.

Who do you think will win American Idol?

MTV recently traveled to Murray, Utah, in order to speak with those who knew David Archuleta in high school.

Here's how a few friends of the American Idol favorite described the adorable 17-year old:

• Kellene Kim, a friend and classmate at Murray High, said she called Archuleta "Lettuce Boy." The reason?

"David has a tendency to not really listen, 'cause he kinda likes to sing to himself," Kim explained. "We were sitting around, just hanging out, talking about how someone had found a bug in their lettuce from a fast-food place, and [David] tunes in. He heard us, and he's like, 'What? But I love lettuce!' And so now we call him 'lettuce boy.' "

• Mietra Aarabi told MTV News: "Music is David's life and always has been. When he's talking in just normal conversation, if anything reminds him of a song, he just starts randomly singing."

• "Even if we were driving, he would have random songs come into his mind," echoed classmate Shantel Hansen. "I would be like, 'Turn left,' and he would start singing, 'To the left, to the left' [from Beyoncé's 'Irreplaceable']."

• And the best part? He doesn't even know it, insists Dean Kaelin, who has been Archuleta's vocal coach for the better part of six years.

"I think he has absolutely no idea what a huge thing he is right now â€" it's not like he's trying to be impressive. He's just being himself and enjoying the songs. The old Jimmy Stewart, 'aw shucks'? Those are honest reactions. He just gets embarrassed from the attention. He thinks he's just this kid."

He's been referred to as a singing sensation. An inspiration to us all. The next American Idol.

But just who is David Archuleta?

The adorable 17-year old was born in Miami. He says he's wanted to sing for a living since the age of six, when he saw the musical of Les Miserables. When he was 12, Archuleta won the Junior Circuit on Star Search.

David Archuleta has dreamed of a singing career from a very early age.

A few years ago, David suffered from a rare form of vocal paralysis. Eschewing surgery, the singer fought through it and has made an incredible recovery, as fans can hear every week on American Idol.

Let's see Michael Johns, Jason Castro or any other male contender on the show top that story!

The top two spots on this week's American Idol Power Poll hold healthy leads over the rest of the field. That's what happens when you make Paula Abdul cry and sing Simon Cowell's theme song with such restraint and beauty.

Here are the current rankings:

1. David Archuleta: Imagine him as American Idol champion. It's easy if you can. No hell below us. Above us only sky. Imagine all the people. Living for today, and this 17-year old singer.

2. Brooke White: Given a guitar, a stool and the Carly Simon hit song "You're So Vain," White sky-rocketed to this ranking after last week's performance. We hope viewers reward her relaxed vocal stylings over other, louder singers.

3. Michael Johns: Bit of a complacent audition last week, but Johns still has the look and the talent to remain in the top three. No one else stepped up to take it from him.

4. Asiah Epperson: The young beauty chose a difficult song last week, but her version of "All By Myself" wasn't nearly as atrocious as Simon made it out to be. Still has the look and personality to go far.

5. Carly Smithson: Sang "Crazy On You" last week, but we still can't say we're too crazy about Smithson. The talent is obviously there, but is yet to break through. Might be saving epic, David Archuleta-like performance for later rounds.

It doesn't take much to make Paula Abdul cry. Tears flow for this American Idol judge over her assistant purchasing the wrong shampoo. Or a broken remote control. Or a poorly mixed margarita.

Last night, however, it was the performance of American Idol contestant David Archuleta that left Abdul's mascara a mess.

After the 17-year old sensation completed his rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine," Paula choked back the tears and said: "That was . . . one of the most moving performances I've ever heard. You're destined for super stardom."

Take a look. Take a listen. Let us know if you agree:

With just 20 contestants remaining on the seventh season of American Idol, it's time to chop down the list on our Power Poll.

With that in mind, here are the top five performers so far, according to our crack celebrity gossip staff:

1. Asiah Epperson: We may be in the minority in anointing this singer as the leading contender, but no one else this season combines her poise, looks and vocal range. What a great name, too!

2. David Archuleta: The 17-year old has captured the hearts of America in a way Sanjaya Malakar could only dream about last season: an adorable sensation... who can actually carry a tune! Sign him up now for the finals.

3. Michael Johns: The only knock on this performer is that he's too established to be considered an American Idol. He's 29 old and has already fronted a band called The Rising. No matter to us. The handsome Aussie can wail.

4. Syesha Mercado: Another contestant with a winning name. Syesha has a much bigger voice than that of Epperson, but she's able to control it. Would love to see her tackle a ballad in order to determine full range.

5. Jason Castro: Apologies to Amanda Overmyer and Carly Smithson, either of whom could be in the spot. But Casto deserved props after taking the stage last week with his guitar and delivering a sweet, understated version of the Lovin' Spoonful hit ''Daydream."

Here's a look at the American Idol top 20. Who is your favorite? Leave a comment. Let us know.

Joanne Borgella was one of four American Idol contestants eliminated last night, along with Amy Davis, Garrett Haley and Colton Berry.

Still, it's worth reporting that Borgella and season seven favorite David Archuleta actually have a connection to another institution almost as popular as Idol: High School Musical.

According to High School Musical star KayCee Stroh (a.k.a. "the pop and lock girl" in those movies) she and contestant Archuleta performed together at a Park City, Utah, benefit years ago.

David Archuleta and Garrett Haley performed together last night. Guess which one was voted off American Idol before the evening was over.

"I think I was about 18 and he was about 12," Stroh said at the American Idol Top 24 party on Thursday night in Hollywood. "Both of us are from Salt Lake City, and there was a benefit concert and the [organizer] needed young kids to be the backup singers for a gospel piece. I remember we were rehearsing one day and he had a solo part. I expected him to have this cute little boy voice."

As Stroh found out then - and Idol fans known now - this was anything but the case: "I was blown away! He packs such a powerful punch when he sings. I remember thinking instantly, ‘Boy, this one is going to be a star someday,'" she said.

Oddly enough, Stroh also models for Torrid, a hip plus-size clothing line. Another model with a past contract with that company? You guessed it: Borgella.

We know it's early. The top 12 American Idol men have only performed one time during the semifinals.

And certain competitors were pleasant surprises: David Hernandez put on a smooth performance last night and Jason Castro has a unique sound to him.

Still, we feel confident already in saying the male side of things on Idol this season is all about three singers. Let's take a look at them now:

• Michael Johns (pictured): Come on, viewers, didn't he light your fire? Belting out this classic by The Doors last night, the former lead singer of The Rising is the most polished and mature of all semifinalists, male or female.

• David Archuleta: Can we just anoint him into the final five already? Simon said Archuleta's rendition of The Miracles' Shop Around was the best of the night. We're not sure we agree... but how is a guy with this voice just 17 years old?

• David Cook: This hopeful rocker put on our favorite performance of the evening. He took the slow tune, "Happy Together," and made it current and enjoyable. Perhaps it's the professional resumes possessed by the prior two contestants, but there's something innocent and fun about Cook.

Our picks to be eliminated tomorrow night: Garrett Haley and Jason Yeager.

Who was your favorite singer from last night? Who do you think is going home? Let us know!