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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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46. Why does that make him a phony??? Damn haters. Kid is good and if he isnt breaking any of the contest rules then he deserves to be there!!

Posted at 4:45PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Kory

47. I thought he sounded bad here.Nothing but shouting.Very annoying.

Posted at 4:46PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Dean

48. Oh leave him alone! He's awsome! Plus, he's a good little mormon boy. I don't see him putting on this show and it all being phony. Let us enjoy our damn AI without tainting it!!!!!!

Posted at 4:43PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Lyn

49. Where have you been TMZ? It has been widely reported that several of the finalists have had record deals and singing careers in the past. Here is just one example, and there are many others

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/01/carly-smithson.html

Posted at 4:44PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Quoting

50. They all suck anyway. The show is for little girls and grandmas

Posted at 4:44PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Idiot Paris

51. Uhm...there is more than just one in the top 25 who had a record deal. I know for a fact! Do some investigating. You'll find it.

Posted at 4:55PM on Feb 14th 2008 by James

52. This kid absolutely did not cheat.

Posted at 4:56PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Roger Clemens

53. WHO GIVES A F**K!!! AMERICAN IDOL SUCKS ANYWAYS, WHAT OTHER SHOW IS THERE WHEN THE LOSERS ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN THE WINNERS.

Posted at 5:18PM on Feb 14th 2008 by MIAs Finest

54. Jennie Jones? When was the last time she was relevant?

Posted at 4:58PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Ben Dover

55. ARGH!
put a gag in his mouth..........my ears have signed off

Posted at 5:05PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Rosalee

56. Ya..i wanted to see the Josiah kid make it. I was pretty shocked when after all that air time he was booted.

He looked like he was gonna kill himself. Can we have an update on Josiah..somebody!?

This guy seems way too phony..rehearsed..etc Kids who have performing all their life lack a certain raw emotion...

Posted at 5:01PM on Feb 14th 2008 by idolfan

57. Fourty-eighth wo ho!!

Does it really make a difference, what somone does before they get a chance on AI!!
He isnt the first one with prior experiance...LET IT GO PEOPLE.

Posted at 5:01PM on Feb 14th 2008 by So friggn what

58. Uhm, guys....this isn't anything new at all. The guys over at Vote for the Worst have had this information for a long time now. IN fact, they've had several interesting details for several of the contestants. A good half of them are pretty much producer plants. See: http://votefortheworst.com/americanidol7contestants

Posted at 5:06PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Beth

59. Robbie Carrico
Boyz N Girlz United
http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/stars/robbie-carrico/

Posted at 5:02PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Rick James Jr.

60. Hey I like this kid. He's really cute and talented. Who cares if he was on Jenny Jones? TMZ you should leave him alone.

Posted at 5:03PM on Feb 14th 2008 by Beest

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