Idol's Stage Dad: Out!

David Archuleta's dad is banned from helping him prep for the show

By Jovie Baclayon May 10, 2008 6:30 PMTags
David Archuleta, American Idol Season 7FOX

His son might have made it to the top three, but David Archuleta's meddlesome dad has been given the boot backstage at American Idol.

Producers have banned Jeff Archuleta from prepping the 17-year-old's performances after an unauthorized lyric change last week cost the show beaucoup bucks in licensing fees.

A source close to the show, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, said that the elder Archuleta ignored warnings and encouraged his son to alter the lyrics to "Stand By Me" by throwing in a verse from Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls." TMZ broke the story Friday.

Earlier that day, the Idol front-runner received a hero's welcome in his hometown of Murray, Utah, that left the boy in tears. Flanked by security guards, Archuleta made appearances at the mall and on local news before giving a mini-concert in front of 20,000 people at his own high school, during which he sang "Stand By Me." He capped off the night by singing the national anthem at game three of the NBA Playoffs between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Drew Rindlisbacher, a ninth grader at Murray High School, told E! News, "It was awesome to hear him sing again. He was even better than he was when we went to Hillcrest Junior High together. He sang at every talent show and I've always been a fan."

No word on whether Archuleta's stage dad was around during the day's events, but chances are…he was.