David Archuleta’s Bio

Teen Singing Sensation

When David Archuleta made his first appearance on national television in January 2008, he became an instant Teen Idol. Critics and fans recognized in the 17 year old a musical talent that comes along very rarely and explodes upon the culture with a power and style all its own.

David has a beautiful tenor infused with Rhythm & Blues, Gospel, and Jazz. He also plays the piano and accompanied himself a few times on “American Idol.” On his “American Idol” Fast Facts page, David cited his musical influences as Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Kirk Franklin and Bryan Adams. The pop artists he likes are Natasha Bedingfield, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bryan Adams, Kirk Franklin, and Robbie Williams. Like Elliott Yamin and John Mayer, David has a soulful vibe. In a Seventeen interview he cited Sara Bareilles as a clever singer-songwriter he admires.

David signed a recording contract with Jive Records in June 2008. His debut album was released on November 11 and charted at number 2 on Billboard 200. The album was created while David toured the United States with the Top Ten contestants from July to mid-September. It was a hectic pace, creating an album while travelling by bus to more than 50 cities. The official release contains 12 songs, but five additional songs were recorded as bonus tracks on select purchases. David wrote or co-wrote five of the tunes.

David received an honor declaration and certificate from The Utah State Legislature and House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 18, 2008. David was unable to attend but his mom Lupe was present to accept the award for him.

David’s Performances on “American Idol”

Nationwide Audience Voting began with the Top 24 (order of appearance):

• First Audition: “Waiting On the World to Change” by John Mayer, San Diego, CA
• Hollywood Week Day 1: “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley
• Hollywood Week Day 4: “Heaven” by Bryan Adams
• February 19, 2008 – “Shop Around” by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (6th of 12) Top 12 Guys
• February 26, 2008 – “Imagine” by John Lennon (10th of 10) Top 10 Guys
• March 4, 2008 – “Another Day in Paradise” by Phil Collins (2nd of 8 ) Top 8 Guys
• March 11, 2008 – “We Can Work it Out” by The Beatles (12th of 12) Top 6 Guys
• March 18, 2008 – “Long and Winding Road” by The Beatles (3rd of 11) Top 11
• March 25, 2008 – “You’re the Voice” by David Foster with Jeff Pescetto (8th of 10) Top 10
• April 1, 2008 – “Smoky Mountain Memories” by Dolly Parton (3rd of 9) Top 9
• April 8, 2008 – “Angels” by Robbie Williams (7th of 8 ) Top 8
• April 15, 2008 – “When You Believe” by Mariah Carey/Whitney Houston (1st of 7) Top 7
• April 22, 2008 – “Think of Me” by Andrew Lloyd Webber (4th of 6) Top 6
• April 29, 2008 – “Sweet Caroline” (4th of 5) and “America” (9th) by Neil Diamond, Top 5
• May 6, 2008 – “Stand by Me” (4th of 4) and “Love Me Tender”, Top 4
• May 13, 2008 – “And So It Goes” by Billy Joel (1st of 3), “With You” by Chris Brown, and “Longer” by Dan Fogelberg, Top 3
• May 20th FINALS – “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” (performed 2nd), “In This Moment”, “Imagine”, Top 2

The Early Years

Born on December 28, 1990 in Miami, Florida, David Archuleta is a Honduran American. His father Jeff was born and raised in Utah and his mother Lupe is from San Pedro Sula, Cortes, Honduras. In the first six years of David’s life, the Archuleta family lived in several Florida towns, finally settling in Murray, a small town south of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Music has always been a big part of family life. Jeff is a jazz trumpet player and Lupe sings pop music in both English and Spanish and is a salsa dancer.

David is the second oldest of five siblings: Claudia, 19, David, 17, Daniel, 14, Jazzy, 11, and Amber, 9. The Archuletas are active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Vital Statistics and Other Important Facts Fans should Know:

• Height: 5 feet 7 inches
• Eyes: Hazel    Hair: Dark Brown
• David is left-handed.
• Pets: Goldfish named “Conditioner” and a poodle named “Teddy”
• David’s “American Idol” audition number was 11394.
• Quote: You’ll never be lonely if you learn to befriend yourself.

David’s Favs

Note: Some information has been taken from “Star Search” when David was 12 years old.

• Favorite colors: orange, yellow, and citrus green
• Fav subjects in school: Science and Social Studies
• Least fav subject: Mathematics
• Fav computer games: Neopets, Zoo Tycoon and Roller Coaster Tycoon
• Actors: Robin Williams and Jim Carrey
• Animated characters: Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Donald Duck
• Band: Destiny’s Child
• Singers: Natalie Cole, Celine Dion and Michael Jackson
• Songs: “And I’m Telling You”, “Who’s Loving You” and “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne
• Male Pop Stars: Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bryan Adams and Kirk Franklin.
• Female Pop Stars: Natasha Bedingfield, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey.
• “American Idol” Contestants: Elliott Yamin and Tamara Gray
• Sports team: Utah Jazz
• Sport: Rollerblading
• Breakfast foods: Cereal, French toast and pancakes
• Food: Thai Food
• Fruits: Orange, banana and apple
• Candy Bar: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Nutterbutters
• Beverages: Water, Orange Juice and Sprite

In the summer of 2007 David started his very first job as a sound technician for concerts at The Murray City Amphitheatre in Murray Park. He anguished over whether or not to quit the job in order to try out for American Idol. Luckily, he made the right decision.

In his sophomore year at Murray City High School, David earned a 4.0 grade point. Since competing on “American Idol” in 2008, his G.P.A. dropped a fraction of a point. David promises to finish out high school and attend college after American Idol.

He once performed for surviving 9/11 firefighters. He sang “I Will Always Love You.”

Star Search

David won the second season of “Star Search” on March 19, 2003. Druing the finals, he scored a perfect 20 points from all three judges. By winning the Junior Singers competition on “Star Search”, David won $100,000.00. As soon as the Archuleta family returned to Utah, ten percent was donated to their Church.

He has taken formal voice training since he was 12 years old with noted vocal coach, Dean Kaelin.

When David began “Star Search”, he already started showing symptoms of bronchitis, which would later lead to vocal paralysis in his early teens. One of his vocal chords was paralyzed and underdeveloped. Doctors said David could have surgery, but it was very risky. He didn’t want to take the risk. He was actually supposed to record a CD after “Star Search,” but the vocal paralysis prevented it.

David’s “Star Search” Performances

Preliminary Round – “Who’s Lovin’ You” by The Temptations
Semifinals – “Fallin'” by Alicia Keys
Finals – You’re All I Need to Get” by Marvin Gaye
Battle of the Champions – “I Surrender” by Celine Dion

Before “Star Search”.

David sang for contestants in Season 1 of “American Idol”. He sang “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” by Jennifer Holliday. One of those contestants just happened to be Kelly Clarkson.

At the age of 10, David participated in the Utah Talent Competition, his first ever competition wherein he sang “I Will Always Love You,” the first song he ever sang on stage. He received a standing ovation.

At the age of six, he memorized a number of songs from the Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert with the corresponding English and Cockney accents. His parents knew they had a talented singer in the family.