"American Idol": David Archuleta, Boy Wonder

Every year I try to resist, and every year it sucks me back in. The satanic minions last season were Melinda Doolittle and Blake "I wish he played for my team" Lewis, and this season it's likely to be David Archuleta.

Never mind the last name that makes me think of spiders. Never mind the fact that the boy just turned freaking seventeen (and therefore makes me feel like a wizened cradle-robber). Talent is sexy, and the guy's got talent in spades.

Many Doolittle critics last year complained about her being boring, but when Melinda Doolittle got on fire (which was often) she had the kind of magic that can't be trained or manufactured. You couldn't even articulate what it was that made the performance so great; you could really only sit back in awe. I'm thinking particularly of the Doolittle "My Funny Valentine" and "As Long As He Needs Me", both of which amaze me even today.

And it's the same with Archuleta's performance of "Imagine" this past week. While he's been consistently good, this week was the first time he took good, sniffed at it, and tossed it by the wayside on his way to great. Far be it from me to proclaim myself an expert on music, but goosebumps are goosebumps, and I was shivery with them all through Archuleta's performance.

Does this mean he'll sail through to the finals? My bet at this point is a resounding yes. Where he'll go from there is anyone's guess; one only needs to remember LaKisha Jones to know that the finals are notoriously tricky. That being said, I agree with Simon Cowell's assessment during the Hollywood round: he's young, he's good-looking, and he's got an impressive set of pipes. Not a bad place to start; not a bad place to start at all.

Besides, he's been training from a really young age: it boggles the mind, the haircut in the video, but I guess if a kid could survive that, he could probably survive anything.

"American Idol" airs... oh, please. You know when it airs. It's only on about 3890473298473 times a week.

Image courtesy FOX

Comments

[jd-01]

I'm glad to have read your comments...it is so very true...This Kid CAN Sing! The thing is, you can see this guy is genuine, so very rare. Gay, Straight, Green or Pink...who cares...it's nice when someone can sing a song and give you those "feel good all over" feelings!
I for one, plan on watchin him sing every week....until he wins!

[Tim]

To each his own. I don't see anything attractive about this Blake Lewis.

Haven't seen this new kid - I'm sure he's adequate. But, then, my favourite kind of singers are people like Joey Ramone or Ray Davies or Lou Reed, so big pipes (don't bother) aren't a major factor for me.

[FRANK]

As far as I'm concerned goose bumbpa aare the least of it. That boy can sing circles around anyone in the competition this year and best all its all pure and sincere. The boy wonder is extraordinary and we will see that when he wins. Keep it up David. You are already a STAR!!!

[FRANK]

As far as I'm concerned goose bumbpa aare the least of it. That boy can sing circles around anyone in the competition this year and best all its all pure and sincere. The boy wonder is extraordinary and we will see that when he wins. Keep it up David. You are already a STAR!!!

[Bobby]

Uh-May-Zing. David has been blessed with the voice of an angel. This kid can SANG! His phrasing, nuances, and control are off the hook. I am astonished he hasn't already been signed. In my opinion, his interpretation of Imagine, if released as a single, could land at (and stay for weeks) the top of the charts!

[mplsmn55403]

LOL! Gay.com is falling all over themselves with this one. They mention "good looking" before they tell us that he can sing. Just imagine if he had average looks....we would never know he existed.

For Shame!

[Pauly]

I also had the goosebumps with Davids performance.. he has Talent.. as so does David Hernedez.. he rocked the stage. my perdictions the final 2 will be David A an David H.. fingers crossed..

[Mike]

DAVID is totslly great i bet hes already got a contract. im thikng americia will make us mad again.. but i think we have something better then DAUHTREY yeah the will prolly vote him off but he will definetly be the superstar of the season...
cheers to you DAVID America prove me wrong msake him our next idol

[Ryan]

I'm really going to sound like an ass here, but I can't help feeling the way I do.
I'm rooting for Danny Norriega...because of the simple fact that he's gay.
I know it's silly, closed-minded, biased and stereotypical of me...but it's just the way I feel.
So far on that show, or in almost every case with t.v, movies and music, I've seen closeted people achieve fame because of their closed-mouth approach with the build of their careers.
Some then come out, and the public's reaction can go both ways.
But just once I'd like to see an artist reach a superstar level, while having been out from the very beginning.

Obviously David Archuleta is truly talented of course, so if he wins, it's well deserved.
But while Danny has some of the spotlight on him, he'll be the one I'm rooting for.

[David]

We know he is good looking. But, American Idol is about singing not about neuty. So lets jusge the singing and when he makes it and wins the competition buy the CD's!

[Dean Hunt]

The important thing is that David Archuleta indeed can sing. His singing had my undivided attention for the duration of his bravura performance: it was simply superlative. His voice is of a maturity that belies his age. His youthful delight at the audience's enthusiastic reaction to his performance shone brilliantly on his face. I hope that he goes far; he's already got the vocal credentials to do so. Bravo!

[BiTazz28]

Danny Norriega is the won i will have to say i want to win. If he gets voted off is when i will stop watching the show. I think he can sing and about as good as your Daivd kid. N keep in mind we are talking about a kid who will change beforeyou know it. And i would think they we have a cute gay guy who can sing that you would get behind him and show him some love. Danny Norriega dont worry I am showing you all the love i can and will helpp keep you in them. Keep it up Danny Norriega you have some gay guy out here who is here for you.

Tazz Tulsa

[suedehead9000]

David Archuleta is a manipulative
narcissist with sociopathic tendencies. He's a totally talented powerbottom from hell and I think I'm in love.....sigh

[Danny]

there is a few things about David that are true: he's young, he's adorable, and he has an annoying habit of breating too hard before each verse when he's singing.Like he has asthma or something like it. Listen to his past performances, any of them, and you'll hear it. Without that, he would be great, but it will be noticed.

[dai]

He's YOUNG, HANDSOME, LATINO, and TALENTED....WOW! Nothing more to say.

[pat]

The kid is 16 btw its been said on the show night after night....

[bri]

People still watch 'American Idol'?

[Jimmy Gimbels]

Yes, David Archuleta is a winner and the folks from Disney should be signing him up but fast. That is a face that will sell tickets...and he has a voice to match.

But I would rather spend some quality time with movie-star handsome Luke Menard (cute how he was comforting David last night during the show - that should have been me!) or the totally sexy David Hernandez - rumored to have worked in gay clubs and as a stripper. Or both! Plus he looks really good in jeans.

As for Danny Norriega: Where do these queens come from and why do they all act in same swissy manner? He is embarassing to watch. He may stay on the show too long since the webiste "Votefortheworst" is making Danny their pet project for swinging votes.

[triceratopandbottom]

Wait, you mean that guy, Danny Norriega is GAY????

[Brettt78]

Danny Norriega SHOULD be singing in the American Idol female competition!

[Wil Shields]

American Idol does appear to have some big talent this season, and I fully agree that David's talent is beyond big. His rendition of "Imagine" will sell singles and make it to the top of the charts if Idol allows it to be released. And yes, he's cute-a face Disney could easily attract attention with. And of course I'm sure most of us share a certain sympathy for Danny Noriega for the simple fact that he is obviously out--and he has talent and looks, too, but not anything close to that of David's.

[jeffinpeoria]

David Archuleta is one of the best singers Ive ever seen at his age. He has an awesome stage presence, and literally has a way of melting your heart with his emotion and innocense.
His vocals are unmatched in this years competition....I've watched American Idol since season one....Hes by far one of the best Ive seen at this early stage.....Im hoping that he can continue to WOW all of us and BE the next and BEST EVER American Idol!!

[Allen]

Regarding the post of supporting Danny Noriega because he is gay (assumed), I understand the feeling but disagree with it. I think Danny is very talented and I hope he goes far and I think he will because he is also charismatic. From a singing perspective, which this show should be about, David A is the best. From a Singing AND Charisma perspective, which the show IS about, David A should still win.

By the way, I'm glad no one is commenting on David's sexuality. He is a kid that sings great and that is all that matters.

[David]

So is the guy gay or not?

[Sam]

David Archuleta has my vote for next American Idol. I haven't seen singing talent to match his, this season. I'd pay to hear him in concert.

[Agnello]

Maybe I'm the only one but I don't see what's so special about the kid, yeah he has a nice voice but his voice is nothing special either.

[Robert]

I think American Idol if a great way for young talented singers to get a start in the music industry. I think it is very sad that they have allowed so many people with previous record deals and former group members to make it this far in the competition. David Archuleta is a very talented young man who I hope will go far in this competition and do very well with his future singing endeavors.

[Jared]

David is a dreamboat, doesn't every gay man just want to pick him up and hug him? He is adorable. As for Danny Noriega, too queenie for me. He looks like a girl and acts like one too.

[Rodney Huffstickler]

talk about talent. this young boy has it. it is a blessing to hear a voice come out of a young 17 year old male. he is fute, hot, and has talent to soar to the finals. if he is knocked out, then there is something wrong with the show. i also think that ryan seacrest is a gay hotty.

[Charles]

Noriega is what feeds the stereotype that all gays are the little queens, who, by the way, can be very bitter (neck snap the week of February 22 if you need reminding, or the "ish" comments on Thursday night this week). Archuleta has an incredible voice, but why the talk about Disney picking him up - so he can fall into the herd with the likes of Hillary Duff, Raven, and so many others who sound just alike and have a range of oh, maybe 4 notes? No, no. Give Clive Davis the opportunity to work with this kid, and you'll have an incredible debut CD. Something the likes of which we haven't had in decades. Oh, and I am, figuratively speaking, already standing in line for the release of "Imagine."

[Charles]

Noriega is what feeds the stereotype that all gays are the little queens, who, by the way, can be very bitter (neck snap the week of February 22 if you need reminding, or the "ish" comments on Thursday night this week). Archuleta has an incredible voice, but why the talk about Disney picking him up - so he can fall into the herd with the likes of Hillary Duff, Raven, and so many others who sound just alike and have a range of oh, maybe 4 notes? No, no. Give Clive Davis the opportunity to work with this kid, and you'll have an incredible debut CD. Something the likes of which we haven't had in decades. Oh, and I am, figuratively speaking, already standing in line for the release of "Imagine."

[malementor10]

Someone please tell Noriega that many talented people "self destruct". He needs to face forward and keep his mouth shut. I counted Archuleta as he turned around to look at his parents during the comments part - a total of five times. I agree with the "angel" comment - out of this world performance! I felt in awe of him.

[meh]

I really didnt like his rendition of Imagine all that much. YEs, he clearly has vocal chops, however, it doesnt matter how good you sing, it matters WHAT you sing. If it isnt catchy, it wont sell to anybody other than middle aged housewives and the 13 year old girls who undoubtedly think he's attractive. If you sing boring songs, you wont have much of a fan base.

[Jerry]

The thing that I love about David Archuleta is his ability to sing a line in a certain nuanced way that just make s you say, "Wow, I love the way that word or sentence sounded when he sang it." That definitely happened on "Shop Around" and "Imagine" for me. And he does make you want to go and hug him. I have a feeling he'll be one of those guys whose facial features will change dramatically in the next year or so (since he looks so baby-faced now)

[Arrielle Green]

Hey, this is pretty good stuff! Although this is my first visit here, I find your blog and your posts very insightful. Keep up the good work.

Arrielle Green

[melissa]

dai i totally agree with u !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DAVID IS PERFECT

AND NOT GAY!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF get a life