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"Idol" Contestant a Giant Phony?

Posted Feb 14th 2008 5:11PM by TMZ Staff

Last night, 16-year-old "Idol" contestant David Archuleta said he "doubted" his talent. We're calling his bluff!


This kid's been a pro for years. TMZ tracked down one of his earlier (and chubbier) performances from the"Jenny Jones" show. Jennifer Hudson eat your heart out -- the kid killed it with a version of "And I Am Telling You ..."

"Jones" wasn't his only pre-"Idol" TV appearance and he may have even had a record deal! For the record, FOX tells us that contestants cannot currently have a management or recording contract.

Watch TMZ TV tonight for everything else we uncovered. Check local listings.

Tags: david archuleta, DavidArchuleta

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1. FIRST

Posted at 4:06PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Evan Knudsen

2. FIRST

Posted at 4:06PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Evan Knudsen

3. Jail this kid! Cheater!

Posted at 4:05PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Roger C.

4. WHO ???

Posted at 4:05PM on Feb 14th 2008 by fish monger

5. OK


Posted at 4:06PM on Feb 14th 2008 by FlyonTheWallTZM@aol.com

6. 1st

Posted at 4:06PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Roger C.

7. I think Ai has lost its touch - all of the contestants are very polished/experienced. It's not the diamond in the rough finding. They have the fake teeth and hair and years of singing experience under their belt! w/e.

Posted at 5:50PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Tal

8. If this is true, doesn't that break idol rules? If he already had a contract?

Posted at 4:07PM on Feb 14th 2008 by MommaB

9. Yet, TMZ doesn't post on here that several years ago he lost the use of one of his vocal chords and has struggled to get back to where he is now. The kid has come over a lot and his previous experience should have nothing to do with where he is right now.

Posted at 4:13PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Dan R.

10. .


Dump this brat and bring back Josiah as an alternate / wild card...


Posted at 4:10PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Kate

11. Did he already have a contract? Playing the undiscovered kid who just sings to his pets...shame shame of course who but TMZ would unearth some mummified jenny jones show?

Posted at 4:08PM on Feb 14th 2008 by imjustsayin

12. JENNY JONES, THAT EXPLAINS EVERYTHING.......!!!!!

Posted at 4:09PM on Feb 14th 2008 by fish monger

13. And your point is???????????????????????

Posted at 4:09PM on Feb 14th 2008 by PJ

14. He won Star Search in the kids category when he was 12. They said that on the show when he auditioned. You just can't have an active record deal right now. Kristy Lee Cook had one too and hers was much more recent.

Also - there was another girl who was on the Kids Idol Debacle they had a few years ago when she was 12 and now at 16 she sucked - horribly!

He got better in those 4 years - don't fault him...

Posted at 4:16PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Heather W

15. Who cares? If he had a contract at one point, it didn't pan out now did it? The Irish chick put out a record on a major label. As Simon put it when asked about all the "ringers" if they had not failed at their earlier efforts and made it they wouldn't be on idol now would they?

Posted at 4:10PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Lillz

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