You spent the whole time with David Cook. What’s he like?
Yeah, I did. He's amazing. He's one of the most down to earth people. Really concerned about how you are doing. He'll try to help you out. And I think he's a great guy. He's like, the definition of an ‘American Idol.’
What was your favorite personal performance?
Well, with “Imagine” it was kind of like my last performance where I wasn't being viewed as [a frontrunner]. After that my expectations were raised higher than anything I can imagine. I'm just going to have a great time with the song. [At the time] I felt people weren't really watching me and I felt really comfortable. So then everyone was like ‘David, David, David.’ I felt very awkward, because I was like, ‘I don't get it.’ I didn't even do anything fancy with ["Imagine"]; it wasn't very energetic or anything. I was like, ‘This might be the end of it for me.' I'll at least feel good about what I needed to do. Then [with] “Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," I felt like I was really able to be myself.
That one was picked for you. You were happy with that one?
It was a good thing because so many other songs didn't work for me. It was hard to get songs cleared. I mean, there were like six songs I was trying to get cleared and then I ran out of time. So I had to do a song I had already done, unfortunately. I did “Imagine.” But it was good being able to do “Imagine” again. I think that is a great song.
Had you always wanted to be on American Idol?
I had always wanted to be on it until recently. And I started to think, ‘I don't think I could do that. I don't think that's the right direction for me. I don't think I'm good enough.’ And I almost didn't go because I had to quit my summer job. It's hard to find a job! It was just, ‘I've always wanted to do this, so let's see what it's like.’ And it was worth it, I guess. I'm here now touring, being able to do that. And it's just so great. What other opportunity would I get to tour the country and being able to perform to all these crowds? To hear that cheer and to feel the support the people have built on you? It's weird because you think that once they get to know me, they'll get annoyed by me. It's neat to see that they really appreciate what you are doing.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - celeste
I love David Archuleta, not in the fan "marry me" way, he is just amazing, talented kid... I think what he said about how the pressure was put on him since Imagine is really and important fact, he lost a lot of the relax demainor that he has in performance like Shop Around, Waiting in The World to Change and Heaven... Thanks this was a great interview...
2 - yolie29
Yeah! I agree! after his IMAGINE performance.. he was kinda off!! He was all nerves and looks too stressed!
His voice is just the best! I think he has the best vocal techniques out of all the contestants ever.
3 - luke
I would love to know what songs he was trying to get approved until the last minute. Sorry, but I feel this was one of the ways AI (Nigel) tried to hurt Archie and help Cook. And then Cook was praised for doing something new! Oh well, I'm trying to get past all the obvious manipulations that went on. I like Cook OK but this young kid David Archuleta is really one in a million. When he sings he touches my soul (yea I know it sounds corny but I don't know a better way to express it) He is something special. I hope the business doesn't change him. I love his voice and the feeling he puts in it and I for one will be a fan for life. Thanks for a great interview.
4 - Kathy
This was a fantastic interview! David is such an enigma -- he does sound like a typical 17 year old, if perhaps more humble than a lot of them -- and yet when he gets on the stage (or records a song) he is just pure brilliance. I love his single. The Idol tour rolls through my town in about ten days, and I can't wait to hear him.
5 - Sharon
David is the most amazing singer and personality that I have ever witnessed!!!! He is the entire package, and something the world really needs right now!!! I do agree there definitely was manipulation going on with AI during the last weeks of Idol. David is such a "class act" and would never ever agree. I think, however, it was pretty evident with the viewers. I can not believe all the hurt that his family endured about his father for a fabricated story. David rose above it all and was the clear winner in our hearts!!! He will be a huge success!!!
6 - LMS
What an absolute doll this kid is. So grounded and humble and sweet and always offering a kind word for others. Not to mention his beautiful, pure, expressive voice. I agree that he was somewhat hijacked on the show, maybe because he was so amazing inside and out, that they honestly didn't know what to do with him. It's all about marketing on that show. But he truly is one in a million and I find his honesty and eloquence so refreshing. When he sings, it's so moving because you can feel it coming from his heart. It almost doesn't matter what song he is singing, because he has sang songs I never liked before but fell in love with because just the sound of his voice is so melodious and soothing. Hats off to his parents, who got a bad rap during the show. After witnessing how much personal strength and integrity David has, I know that it had to come from somewhere. I wish him nothing but the best in his career and I hope he never loses what makes him so special. Great article, thanks!
7 - momofteens
He is such an inspiration to people of all ages. To be the object of so much adulation while remaining completely humble is an example for all of us. I too was touched by his voice, and equally, by his amazing character. Thanks for a great interview...once again, I am stunned by his grace and class.
8 - Pipsey
The interview sent a clear message-David has an admirable character and the world should have more people like him-seriously.He's sincere about music and I think that's an important factor to be a shining performer.Somehow, being a singer -and only a singer -doesn't sell in the entertainment industry as there should be some'spice' and stuff of that ilk added to garner fame; but hopefully he'll keep up that squeaky clean record!
Way to go, Archie!Stay neat and I'll support you all the way-^^
9 - francesca
i love david! i guess im one of those crazy teens everyone talks about, but he really really touched me! i love his voice and his personality, hes such an amazing person! im jealous of everyone whos met such a sweet, humble, talented boy!
10 - Shari
This young man is one-in-a-million! The humility that he possesses is astonishing! His voice just pulls you in and you just can't help but take notice! He is truly a gift that I will be a fan of for life. :)
11 - Sherry
I just wanted to point out that David Cook was criticized during the finale for doing a new song. Also everyone pretty much agreed that Archuleta won the night. Even David Cook himself said he thought Archueta was better.
People vote based on who they like for the entire season, not who wins the finale night. I honestly don't think the producers didn't want Archuleta to win. He was a favorite from the beginning. It was more of a case of David Cook just coming out of nowhere and becoming extrememly popular.
Also - clearing songs is not up to the producers or Nigel. It's up to the people who own the songs. A lot of artists do not want their songs used on Idol.
12 - Ect
My hats off to you as the interviewer! You kept an open mind and for the first time I felt that David was given a chance to give a true interview! I have been reading several interivews where the writer hinted a subtle dislike for this young and talented young man! He is going to be amazing and I hope that the public will open their eyes and realize there is so much talent in this young man! Thank you for a great interview!
13 - Dogzman
I do believe the show is so manipulated. Its a reality show.. TV ratings first. What will keep the viewers watching? Also, many fans have had years of complaining about the voting system. Callers dialing their Idols number and being routed to a different Idol's #. If your calling for idol 04 and you dialed and than just hit redial and 5 times your get "Thanks for voting for contestant 4. Than suddenly on call 5 it says thanks for voting for contestant 1 (or whatever) Yet you only hit redial. Daughtry fans have a petition that was signed by over 38,000 fans claiming this happend to them. The petition is still online to view. They claim on top 4 week a huge percent of their votes went to Kat McPhee. Chris Daughtry went home that week. The voting is not accurate. The show had been able to produce some good recording stars but many don't last long. Only a handful. Clarkson, Underwood, Daughtry (not a winner), Pickler, and thats mainly it. Not such a great track record for a multimillion dollar number one show. Win or Loose it doesnt matter, its what they do after the show. THERE ARE VERY FEW TOP 40 ROCK SONGS RIGHT NOW ON iTunes. COOK WILL NEED TO BALANCE ROCK WITH RADIO FRIENDLY MUSIC if he is to have enough success to move onto a 2nd albumn. Rock is not the music of choice right now. So hopefully he will infuse the Daughtry style so that he musters up some post idol success.
14 - Karen Durbin
My thanks to the interviewer as well. Great Interview. David Archuleta has not been given his well deserved applause by most journalists. I understand David Cook won Idol, but young David more than proved his uncomparable talent. Bless his heart, he just shrugs it off. The whole Idol thing was questionable but I am happy DA took 2nd. His professional choices are independently his and he is going to soar with the assistance of those angels he sings about. I, motherly, love the kid.
15 - Megan Nantel
I love how you talked to him in Tacoma, because that's the show I went to . Ha Ha. It was great, but considering I only went to one, I have nothing to compare it too. David is humble and I really want to meet him. LOL. Maybe my dream will come true one day. Positive thinking, right?
16 - Fran
This was a great interview and th fist time I heard david tried to clear 6 other songs first before going to Imagine. And how come AI was able to clear Crazy when the tour started but no on the show. I firmly beleive there was manipualution on the AI producers aprt or else why would Simon go around on talks shows a few dyas before the finale saying Cook should win, becuase he works in a bar, been performiang longer than David, and becuase david has no personality. The reason they announced david as teh frontrunner becuase they knew most people root for teh udnerdog (Cook in this case) and they would get sick of AI pimping david and turn their votes to Cook ocne they conveniently got rid of Michael Johns who was most likely splitting the Rock vote between him and Cook before he left.
17 - Lisa
Great interview. Its about time David was able to say what he wanted to say without being cut off, and the interviewer left him alone about his love life and his father, Kudos to you. That is the two things that always bothered me when people interviewed David. Just leave this young man alone with his personal life and concentrate on his music career. David is a amazing young man with tons of talent. His main goal in life is music and he wants to share his voice with the world. He is gracious to all his fans, and he really appreciates them. David is not selfish, he admires and looks up to all the people on tour. Its never me, me, me, he always includes all his idol buddies. That is such a wonderful thing to see, especially from such a young man. He is still so humble about his idol performances. Still, to this day, I dont think he really realizes what a impact he has on so many people. His voice is captivating. He must think we're all crazy. He has to know by now, that he has so many different fans, not just young girls. Its just the young girls that are screaming their heads off when he appears, but it goes way past that. He is a Angel, and Davidmania is here. We love this young man.
18 - Sherry
Fran thanks for your comments. Clearing songs for the tour and for TV are very different. Band don't "clear" songs they cover in concert.
19 - Rose
Thank you for giving us a chance to get to know David James a little better. Many of us are so proud of him and how he has handled all of the stress and sometimes not so nice press (not you darling, sorry I'm from the South). He has an amazing future ahead and all I can say is "Just let the young man sing!" Please let us just have days filled with songs breathed into life by David.
20 - josephine
David is a young man I admire the most. He is a person from another realm. His mind is in a different world. He is so unaffected by this world. When I see a person, I can tell what kind of person he/she is by watching instant reactions(behaviors, talks, attitudes etc.). David is so ture himself and the closest to perfection (nobody is perfect in this world). His influence was so big on idols that every contestant learned to be humble and true from him. Cook is the good example. His arrogant attitude was changed and he figured out how to win over people. To me, young David is the true American idol so many people look up to. It's good to see there is 'the good' in this contaminated world.
21 - BigBoi
I really feel that the competition was a "draw" between the two Davids. Hey, the "Two Davids" reminds me of "The Two Jakes", LOL!
22 - Viki
I'm from the Far East and will probably never get the chance to see DavidA in person. But from all the videos, comments and fanmail he has been getting, he is going to be here for the longest time. He is such a talented, humble, sweet and generous young man - truly a ray of sunshine in this rather bleak world we live in. More power to you too for writing this article.
23 - Melissa
We all love David. Thanks for the interview. Best ever.
24 - Violet
Thanks for your wonderful interview with David! Just like when David was age 11 or so, when he watched Tamyra Gray sing on Idol and felt it viscerally - in his words "What just happened!!!" - that's how we felt when we heard David sing. He has amazing talent yet he is the most humble, honest, and caring teen I have ever seen. He's also totally without pretense - he is always himself and he's wonderful. As someone else said - he's like a ray of sunshine, and he lights up the world around him.
25 - Vicki
This is a very good interview. Thank you. So nice that you let David speak and complete his thoughts without interrupting him. I don't know of many 17 year olds who could have withstood the stress of those months on Idol the way David did. He truly is a very strong, talented and unique individual. I hope we can enjoy his artistry for many years to come.