16. 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

17. I love seeing people who think they are FIRST when they are actually 3rd, 5th, 6th, etc.....LOL

Posted at 4:18PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Doodlebop

18. Ah cute, his website has been taken down but cache and wayback gives this bit from 2004

"He has since been featured on Janny Jones, and the last several months have included performing 3 times on Star Search, being seen on CBS' The Early Show. He is now in negotiations to record some new material and will be releasing a new CD soon."

Posted at 4:19PM on Feb 14th 2008 by uknow

19. Please don't tell me this is true. I loved that kid. I thought he was precious. If it is true, I am going to whip his ass.

Posted at 4:19PM on Feb 14th 2008 by tennishottie

20. They are either phony or criminals lol ... lately some of them r going to jail - or they've already been there ... That show sucks.

Posted at 4:21PM on Feb 14th 2008 by ,.,.,.,

21. Here are the facts. This so called "singer" is a fraud. He is performing using the transplanted vocal chords of the late Mel Torme. Look closely and you can see the scar. RIP Velvet Fog

Posted at 4:21PM on Feb 14th 2008 by disco jim

22. This seems to be the thing with this year's American Idol.. with him, Kristy Lee Cook, and the Irish chick. But it's definitely not new.. take Malinda Doolittle from last year as an example of someone with a lot of experience. It's the internet rumor that Cook was brought in as the ringer this year.

Posted at 4:23PM on Feb 14th 2008 by IowaGirl

23. He was also a the winner in the junior category of Star Search in 2003!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Posted at 4:26PM on Feb 14th 2008 by sara

24. Ummmm, how is he a cheater? Or a phony? All he did was make one comment that he may have always doubted his talent, is that a crime? Or is that against the American Idol rules? I think not!

Posted at 4:33PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Lindsay

25. So what!!

Posted at 4:33PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Barbara

26. whatever, Kristy Lee Cook had two record deals before this. How is that for small town girl that had to sell a horse to get to her audition...yeah right.

Posted at 4:35PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Amy

27. If TMZ is going to talk about David Archuleta, they also need to out Michael Lee, the Aussie, for his music video produced by Maverick Records http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WquoHxNMo0Y and Brooke White has a cd out for sale I saw on Amazon that was released in 2005 and produced by New Millenium Records. So if anyone should be out, it should be them. But I believe they only thing that would make then ineligible is if they currently are with a label and have a contract.

Posted at 4:36PM on Feb 14th 2008 by nottheonlyone

28. Just in case everyone missed it, he did mention at the beginning of the auditions that he had gone through a serious viral infection which attacked his vocal chords...he didn't think he would ever be able to sing again, it is by luck that he can...He;s not a cheater, just lucky to have his voice back again....

Posted at 4:36PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Melissa

29. Uhh, you know you can be the best artist in the world and still be insecure and unsure of your talents. As a highly regarded artist, myself, I still have a lot of self-doubt. I'm not alone ... there are a lot of actual famous people who doubt their worth.

TMZ is just trying to dig new dirt on a new crop of wanna-bes. And I guess this is all they can find, for now. It's ridiculous.

Posted at 4:37PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Branden

30. "First" is just another way of saying Doh ! I'm a moronic spaz who hasn't a clue.

LMAO !

Posted at 4:39PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Colorado Hick