American Idol's father booted from backstage!

Was this talked about yesterday?  If so, I'm sorry for the repeat!

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Backstage meddling has caught up "American Idol" favorite David Archuleta's dad, who's been banned from rehearsals, a person working for the TV talent contest said Friday.

"American Idol" finalists David Archuleta sings Friday before the Utah Jazz/Los Angeles Lakers playoff game.

Jeff Archuleta was told this week by producers that he can no longer join his 17-year-old son David as he prepares for the show, the person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The person wasn't authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The show's action was first reported Friday by the online Web site TMZ.

David Archuleta of Murray, Utah, is one of three contestants left as the top-rated Fox show heads toward the May 20-21 finale. The fresh-faced teenager with the big voice has consistently been deemed a front-runner by the judges and been a consistent fan favorite.

Jeff Archuleta's intense backstage involvement had become a source of concern for the series, the person connected with "American Idol" said -- but it was a lyric change on Tuesday's show that pushed producers to act.

Despite a warning, Jeff Archuleta insisted on altering "Stand by Me," one of two songs his son sang on the show Tuesday. By adding a verse from Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls," the father incurred additional costs for "American Idol," the person said.

Fox declined comment. Attempts to reach Jeff Archuleta for comment were unsuccessful. A phone number listed under his name in Murray, Utah, was no longer in service, and Fox did not immediately respond to a request Friday evening for help in contacting the family.

Earlier Friday, David Archuleta was honored at a hometown celebration held at his high school in Murray, during which Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman declared "David Archuleta Day."

The singer and his family declined to be interviewed at the event, but David Archuleta did speak with the Salt Lake City Fox affiliate, KSTU-TV. "Wow," he exclaimed as he viewed the cheerleading squad outside his stretch limousine.

The other finalists left in competition for the "Idol" title and a record contract are David Cook and Syesha Mercado. Cook, a native of suburban Blue Springs, Mo., had his own homecoming celebration Friday in Kansas City, while Mercado was feted in Bradenton, Fla.

Happy Mother's Day Renee!

 I didn't hear this yesterday.  I've heard the rumblings about him being a nightmare stage dad.  If it's all true, this is too bad for David A.  He looks like he has the potential to be an emotional train wreck.  He is so very talented, I would hate to see his dad bring him down.

Thank you so much, Angel Food, Happy Mom's Day to you too!!

I've heard the rumblings for awhile too...and I guess I'm glad A.I. finally did something.  I read one time he had his son crying backstage shortly before a performance and it was the time David forgot the lyrics to the song that night.  He's only 17 and still very much under his father's control...I hope the the kid's sake he can get thru to his dad or get rid of him!!!

Hey Renee'

Happy Mothers' Day

we talked a little about it yesterday, it is on page 2, I think

the scary thing is that they want to lower the age to 14

can you imagine??????? more stage parents to deal with

I hope this is a lesson learned

It should be moved up to 18

I've also read about his super-controlling stage-dad and fear that young David, like so many other sweet children of parents like that, doesn't know how to stand up for himself and believes his dad only acts the way he does because wants the best for him. Yeah, some excuse.  I read that he brought his son to tears backstage criticizing him and I'm sure it's not the first time. 

That father will probably make sure he gets every penny out of his son that he can squeeze for his entire life -- parents like that often seem to hold it over their kid's heads that they were the ones, after all, who was responsible for their success and that they'd be nowhere without them.  I hope David can rise above that, he's such a talented young man.