I’ve read reports on Us Weekly and RadarOnline that, Jeff Archuleta, the father of American Idol season 7 runner-up, David Archuleta, was arrested after police found him in a massage parlor with a prostitute.  WHOA!  There have always been all kinds of rumors about the odd behavior of Jeff (who allegedly withheld water from David during a rehearsal) but this is the first time I’ve heard anything that was actually incriminating.

Apparently, Jeff pleaded no contest and paid a $582 fine after being busted at the Queens of Reiki on January 14, 2009 in Midvale, Utah.  As Us Weekly reports, Midvale Police Sgt. John Salazar said: "Two of our detectives went back to that room to stop the activity.  Inside they found a female masseuse and male client. At that time an interview ensued and the male client admitted to receiving sexual gratification from the masseuse."  Court documents reveal that 41-year-old Jeff Archuleta was that male client.  His lawyer says that it things are not what they appeared and that Jeff was there for a back problem and simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

There’s a lot of things to consider.  The first is that even good people make dumb mistakes sometimes.  Second, it’s really none of our business.  Third, he actually might be innocent (I doubt it, though, if he didn’t even try to fight the charges). 

For those of you who want to talk about this, I’m sure the fact that this is a Mormon (Latter-Day Saint) family is going to come up.  Of course, being religious doesn’t make you an actual saint and getting down with a hooker doesn’t make you evil.  I’d like to know what you think about this, though. 

My only real immediate frustration was over the fact that this must have been pretty hard on David who has all but said that he plans to wait for marriage. 

image: Newscom

American Idol season 7 runner-up, David Archuleta, wasn’t shocked when his season 8 counterpart, Adam Lambert, officially came out of the closet in a Rolling Stone interview. 

While he was performing at the Children Uniting Nations gala in Washington, DC, he said: “I don’t think it was a big surprise.  I don’t think he was trying to be all sneaky and secret about it. I’m sure he was happy with who he was and stuff, it’s not like he was ashamed.  I just kind of assumed it, I think everyone else did too. I don’t think it’s a bad thing or anything.”

Archie went on to say some other positive things about Lambert: “He seems really confident when he’s onstage, but I don’t think it comes across as cocky or anything, and when I talked to him it seemed like he was appreciating everything that was going on and he was really grateful for those opportunities that he had.”

A lot of people, including myself, were surprised with how detailed and open Adam was when he finally addressed the issue of his sexuality but Archie took a very mature and laid-back stance on it: “I know it’s always interesting and surprising and shocking [to people] when they say those things but that’s up to them, it’s their lives.”

I already loved David Archuleta but I downright adore him now.  I think that was amazing and is just another example of the support Adam has been getting from his fellow Idol alumni.  Even this year’s winner, Kris Lambert, said he was “flattered” when he head that Adam had a crush on his during the competition. 

Anyway, it’s Friday and I think we can all use a little more Archie in our lives.  Here’s a video of him performing at the Children Uniting Nations event.

David Archuleta sang the Star Spangled Banner at Real Salt Lake’s home game at Rio Tinto Stadium this weekend.  The American soccer club faced off against the Colorado Rapids over the weekend.

Last year’s American Idol runner-up looked really adorable in his soccer jersey and he delivered a really nice rendition of the national anthem.  I just love the quality of his voice and I’ve got to say (in a total “girl moment”) that I’ve never noticed how nice David’s eyes are! 

REO Speedwagon made a stop in Salt Lake City during their “Can’t Stop Rockin’ Tour” and guess who jumped up on stage with them?  American Idol season 7 runner-up (and Salt Lake “area” native), David Archuleta.

I spotted the video of the “Roll With the Changes” performance on MJs Big Blog and, while it isn’t the whole thing and the quality isn’t great, you can see how much energy David is putting into it.  Still, fans of REO Speedwagon don’t seem like the type to also adore this squeaky clean cutie pie but he did get some good applause (not quite like the accolades he gets from his young fans, though).  Watch it here:

There were so many stars on the red carpet last night for the American Idol season 8 finale that I wouldn’t even dream of trying to list them here. 

Of course, there were the finalists, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, along with the rest of the Top 13 and judges but the celebrities (and former contestants) came out in droves to see who would win the singing competition. 

It looks like season four winner, Carrie Underwood, hurt her knee somehow since she’s got her “owie” all covered up with four Hello Kitty bandaids. She still managed to look absolutely fabulous!

SEE MORE GREAT RED CARPET PICS AFTER THE JUMP!

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With the recent outbreak of the H1N1 swine flu virus, other nations are being very cautious about who they let in to the country. The United States and  Canada have been hit the worst with the swine flu, so it’s only natural that  David Cook and David Archuleta, of season 7 on American Idol, were checked for the virus upon arriving in the Philippines on Saturday.

As soon as the two Davids made their way to their hotel rooms, quarantine officials arrived to inspect them. They were both told that if they did not cooperate with orders from the health officials, they could be held, arrested or detained.

After a few hours of examination, they were both cleared (thank goodness) and were forced to agree to terms that they would check for symptoms and watch their temperatures twice a day.

I know that there are some people who are not taking this outbreak seriously, but in reality it’s important to do as much as we can to make sure the virus doesn’t spread. I’m pretty glad that they were both checked for the swine flu and obviously that they were both cleared.

Image: Bauer-Griffin

After learning that his American Idol rival, David Cook, had tragically lost his older brother, Adam, to cancer over the weekend, David Archuleta had some kind words to share. 

"It really struck me when I heard about the news of Cook’s brother," Archuleta told Usmagazine.com.   "I know they had been struggling with it for a while, so my heart really goes out to them.  It’s so admirable the way he’s handling it though, and it’s amazing to see him there as an example for millions of other people who have also been affected the same way he and his family have."

"I’ll be keeping him in my thoughts and prayers, and hope the Cook family stays strong," he said.

Have you seen this sneak peek of David Archuleta on Hannah Montana? It shows him singing a song called “I Wanna Know You” (the chords are so familar – help me out!) with Miley Cyrus and then being concerned when Hannah seems distracted (he even worries that she was expecting David Cook instead of him!).  He seems absolutely adorable on the show and I can’t wait to see it.  The episode "Promma Mia" is scheduled to air on May 3, 2009.

David Archuleta has really grown as a performer since his days on American Idol.  He was such a timid, uptight (but incredibly talented) kid and I think that it ultimately cost him the competition. 

I like the fact that he chose to release “Touch My Hand” from his debut, self-titled album.  It really captures how fans feel at concerts and I really love that he included “fan moments” in the video.  The only problem now, of course, is that female fans are really going to go out of their way to try to touch his hand at his shows!  I hope he’s having fun.  He’s young, talented, cute and on his way to great success.  Enjoy the ride, David!!!

Anyone want to tell me what it’s like when he performs this song at a concert?  Is there sheer chaos?  Tell me in the comment section!

image: Amazon

The results show from Disco Week on American Idol got underway with a group number choreographed by judge, Paula Abdul.  It felt like something from a dance show because they showed Paula training the contestants.  When the performance was over, Paula was presented with a bouquet of flowers.  It felt a little… strange (?) to me.  What did you think of that?

Lil Rounds was the first to be sent home tonight in a very quick elimination.  Ryan asked her to go over to the other side of the stage and as soon as she got there, he told her that her journey on the show had ended.  She did a much better job singing “I’m Every Woman” but I still don’t think it would have been enough to keep her safe.

Next, Disco legends Harry Wayne “KC” Casey, Thelma Houston and Freda Payne.  I’m going to just to respectfully say that I love the songs but the performances were… interesting.  I’m going to just blame it on the Idol stage curse and call it a night…

Kris Allen was the first person named to the Top 5!  Adam Lambert and Danny Gokey are also safe.  Anoop Desai was named to the bottom three.  Allison Iraheta joined him and I was totally shocked.

David Archuleta sang “Touch My Hand” and he was so energetic and amazing.  I really loved him tonight.  What did you think?

Anoop Desai was eliminated and I’m so sad.  It’s not that I don’t like Allison but he’s got such a good voice but he made some bad song choices.  I hope he has a bright future ahead of him because he’s got a great personality and look.

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: Ray Mickshaw / FOX