Just David
With a non-stop year full of once-in-a-lifetime moments, screaming fans, and a chart-topping, self-titled album, you would think it would faze singer DAVID ARCHULETA, but, as Amy Choate-Nielsen finds out, the spotlight of fame hasn’t seemed to faze him one bit. He’s still just David.
It’s 8 a.m. on a Thursday morning, and David Archuleta is standing in a corner of the Los Angeles International Airport talking to me on the phone.
He’s got his back turned, a trick he learned to try to stay incognito, and he’s facing the wall, but it only takes a minute for the first person to walk by and happily ask for an autograph. Sure, he’s on the phone. And sure, he’s so tired he yawns and apologizes for it about every five minutes. But no, it’s no problem to sign an autograph.
“Wow, that’s ironic,” he says to me, since I just asked him if people recognize him everywhere he goes, and nonchalantly he said something like “not always.”
“I think they’re going to take a picture with me now,” he says. He poses for a second, then goes on to tell me the logistics of avoiding the mobs of fans that lurk in malls and high schools. “Dangerous” is the word he uses, but before long, he pauses, and I can hear him smile, and without missing a beat he says, “Hi! How old is he? Sure. You’re welcome.”
Another picture. Not only is David Archuleta tired, busy, and standing in a corner, but he is genuinely gracious and interested in these strangers who keep stopping him. It’s not forced and it’s not false, it’s just who he is: a guy on the verge of his 18th birthday, traveling with his dad to Disneyworld.
He’s also the guy with a new, self-titled debut album that’s been riding high in the pop charts, the guy who’s tired because he was up performing the night before at a big-ticket concert, who has girls screaming his name, and who was a runner-up on one of the country’s most popular television shows, American Idol.
But Archuleta is trying to move away from that last one. He started wanting to shed his American Idol identity before the show was even over, like many who use the show to break into the music industry.
It happened in his dressing room, just after the season finale. Archuleta was taking it all in, reeling in the moment, when Simon Fuller, the show’s creator, stepped through the door.
“He said, ‘You did great work,’ and, ‘Aren’t you excited to be with Jive Records?’“ Archuleta says. “I was like, whoa. It was all thrown at me, and it never stopped. Right there, in my dressing room, I got signed.”
Life has been a whirlwind since that night in May. There was the Idol tour, then radio shows, interviews, an appearance on MTV —appearances all over the place, really—recording his own album, releasing it in November, filming music videos, and keeping his fans updated on his Myspace page, www.myspace.com/davidarchuleta.
But somewhere in there, in between the concerts and photoshoots, Archuleta took a break. He came home to Murray to spend time with family and see friends—and get his Eagle project finished. In three days.
The newly-hatched pop star went on a merit badge blitz, making up for lost time. And one day, before he had to go to a recording session, Archuleta got friends and family to help him plant 180 trees and shrubs in a little park alongside the Jordan River.
“I don’t know how it happened, but I started out with 10 and I ended up with 21 (merit badges) by the end of it,” he says. “It was really exciting to me, especially when I almost gave up hope. I think that shows you should never, ever give up hope.”
Archuleta is incredibly grounded for a guy who can—even in a hat and after the lights have gone down—get recognized walking into a Broadway showing of “Wicked” and cause a scene. He says he owes his normalcy to his family.
“I think I’ve pretty much stayed the same,” Archuleta says. “It feels like I’m going through a transition in life and going through a different stage, but I feel the same.”
He pauses as another fan walks by and calls out, “Nice CD!” and he thanks them, then goes on talking about how normal things are.
“I’m just David, and a lot more people know who I am now than before, but it’s not like I’m a different person because of that,” he says. “That’s the important thing about family, because they help remind you. They say, ‘This is David,’ and when you come home, they still treat you like a David.”
All of this talking is making him thirsty. So he goes to look for a drinking fountain with his dad’s cell phone still in hand, and then suddenly he realizes that his own phone is missing.
“Oh no, oh no,” he says. “Dang it. I think I left it on the plane. That is not good.”
Archuleta starts negotiating with the airline employees, trying to get back on the plane that’s about to take off for Vancouver, but they’re less than helpful. They say no, and they give him a toll-free lost-and-found number to call instead, but Archuleta never pulls the celebrity card.
Even though while he was standing there —on hold with the lost-and-found messaging service, watching the plane take off with his phone, a man asking for his autograph—Archuleta never said to the airline employees, “Don’t you know who I am?”
A few minutes later, Archuleta has to head to the gate where his father is waiting, where his flight is already boarding.
His phone is long gone.
“It’s OK,” he says, “I’m over it now.”
He’s willing to hope for the best and move on, kind of like the next step in his career. Archuleta is already planning his own tour for next year. He’s already filming more music videos, already singing at more concerts. There’s a lot left to Archuleta’s future, and not all of it has been pinned down yet.
“I just want to continue improving,” he says. “I want to continue trying new things and keep on doing music. Along with music I want to keep on doing my best in whatever it is I do—to make sure I’m happy with what I’m doing so I can look back and say I’m happy with what I did and with what I was able to accomplish, no matter what it is.”
Archuleta barely makes his connection to Florida, where the Disney crowd awaits.
He says the attention he receives as one of America’s newest heartthrobs is “a gift you receive that you’re trusted to use well,” and that it’s “important to reach out to as many people as you can because of the attention you’re receiving.”
I’m betting there will be plenty of people to ask Archuleta for an autograph wherever he goes next, especially if and when he returns to Utah. And since he’s bound to receive so much attention, there’s one thing that he could really use—a new phone.
BEHIND THE SCENES OF DAVID'S PHOTOSHOOT
David photographed near his home in Murray, Utah November 2008.
One of the nicest guys you'll meet. We were all impressed.
Getting David ready for the next few shots.
The "studio" was freezing, but David was a great sport about it.
Photo assistant, Lindsay, with David after the shoot.
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Great article, very well
Great article, very well written, captured the essence of David. Thanks!
David Archuleta is amazing
David Archuleta is amazing and this magazine just blew me away it really captures his loyalty and love for his fan!
This is one of the best
This is one of the best articles ever written about our special David. He is so loved and his music----well, the best ever!! Thank you for sharing these insights about David and for writing such truth and love. His CD is awesome, listen to it all day long and I can hardly wait for his solo tour this spring. I'm just so glad that I live in Utah and can be among the screaming crowd, like at his Idol tour here last summer. Wishing him a long, happy, and successful career.
David has an amazing talent.
David has an amazing talent. His voice penetrates souls. I love how he see's his talent as a "gift" that should be used to help others. His personality is just as beautiful as his singing.
Thank you for the wonderful
Thank you for the wonderful and well written article about David Archuleta. He is just such a wonderful guy just by reading this and following him through his course.
Thank you for your
Thank you for your interesting article on this talented young man. He's definitely a great role model to people of all ages.
I have to tell you, that
I have to tell you, that this is one of the best interviews/articles I have read about/with David so far. It just captures his personality, but also the whirlwind that is his life right now, perfectly.
And can I just say that your photographer needs to take all pictures of David from now on? His pictures are stunning! I am a huge fan of photography, and you have no idea how much I wished for a professional photographer to portray David as the sorty dashing, sorta quirky, dorky, shy, awkward, adorable, funny, gentle, handsome guy (and I mean all of this in a positive way) that he is, and that photographer captured all aspects of him BRILLIANTLY in those black and white pictures!
This is one of the most
This is one of the most balanced and insightful interviews I've read to date with David. It captures a more thoughtful and mature David, one most magazines and interviews never take the time to discover. I feel for the first time David's personality and "voice" has been captured. I really believe in his talent, and look forward to his continued maturity as an artist.
Thank you SO much for this
Thank you SO much for this beautifully written article! The detail about our David is just fabulous -- Thank you for not writing another boring article that asks the same questions and gets the same results! You really seem to understand David and "get" him like we get him! Wonderful, wonderful job.
Nice article! I like the
Nice article! I like the tone of the article, which could fit publications such as The New York Times Magazine. It must have been a fun story to write! Was the reporter actually with him, or was this a phone interview and David was describing the scene?
Great story. I love the
Great story. I love the photographs.
Thank you so much for the
Thank you so much for the well written article. I am so crazy about this kid not just because he can sing but because he is so different from the kids now adays. Even his music is so different, when I saw him in person, I can't describe how wonderful this young man is. Since I saw him in day 1, he became part of my life. whenever I am angry, stressed out from hell, working out, cleaning my house, gardening, driving, grocery shopping,greiving for a lost of a family member, sick, going to sleep etc, etc,etc, I LISTEN TO DAVID ARCHULETA'S MUSIC! You just made my day bright and happy today for writing such a wonderful and so true article about David. Just to informed you, I am not a tween, nor a teen, I am in my 50's and I adored this kid so much. I never ever in my wildest dream ever liked anyone in show business like I love David Archuleta. I haved dragged my husband two States away to drive spend a lot of money for the entire family just to see David. I will be David's fan now and forever!
You voiced my sentiments
You voiced my sentiments about David perfectly. I don't know what it is that keeps me interested in David's career. I love his singing, but most of all, I love this kid and his special nature. He has brought so much joy to people. I guess we wish the best for him and his family. And yes, I'm not a young one, just an older woman who appreciates a good voice. I will buy his music and attend his concerts until I leave this earth. You can count on it!
Thank you.I agree with what
Thank you.I agree with what you have written.David is one of a kind.He is amazing.And i thank fanblast too.That is how i get to see Davids photos and news everyday.I love to know what's going on with him and his family.
I agree ! I am also a HUGE
I agree ! I am also a HUGE fan of David Archuleta ! ARCHIE ! ! !...I am 49 years old, and yes, I too dragged my husband of 28 years to the concert here on July 24th at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. I cannot get over his angelic voice, and I don't think I will ever hear another voice like his on american Idol. I have a You Tube website that I dedicate my home-made music videos to him, and a few of David Cook also. David Archuleta SHOULD have won AI last year, but who cares......he is busy making beautiful music and will surely go far in his life. He has such a beautiful soul and wonderful MORALS ! David....Keep on making that beautiful music. So glad I found this article !
that is DAVID, down to
that is DAVID, down to earth, humble most of all gorgeous
nice article by the way
great article!!! i enjoyed
great article!!! i enjoyed reading it. the photos are great too! :-)
Ah! I love the photos with
Ah! I love the photos with the CTR ring and white shirt and tie and stuff. Finally, an interview with something different and very personal. Love it that you caught him at the phone loss moment. He , of all people, could have explained the importance of his phone to the security and he didn't and just shrugged it off. So many of us wondered why "he" couldn't talk the security into getting his phone back. Now we know why. Because David Archuleta didn't want any fanfare over it. I love him. And I love Utah. And I love , love this interview. Thanks for sharing! Now, I've got to figure out a way to get this magazine since I live in Georgia.
Anyone from Utah, can you tell us which stores sale this magazine or do I have to subscribe?
Grr.
Thanks so much for this
Thanks so much for this wonderful article/interview and fantastic pictures. David is beyond amazing, as an artist and as a human being. He is gorgeous, inside and out. God bless him!
Hello, I'm from the
Hello, I'm from the Philippines and I just found out about the magazine thru fansofdavid.com. I admire David so much! For me, he's a role model for the youth around the globe. One word to describe David, "Perfect". Yes, he's perfect in all ways :)
Oh, I want to share with you guys, of what I blogged about David, a few days ago :))
***
Talented. Down-to-earth. Kind. Humble. God-fearing. Loves his family *soo much*. Gentleman. Conservative. Responsible. Dedicated to his craft … *insert 1BILLION ADJECTIVES HERE.*
He’s too good to be true =) But yeah, he does exist!
This guy, amazes me soo much. Who on Earth, would climb a fence just to sign an autograph for his fans, or just to talk to them, would spend so much time for his fans, would wear things that his fans gives him *he’s the only one, that I know that does this!*, would just say “dang-it” rather saying any badwords, put “shorts” on a girl’s picture on a magazine whose wearing a short dress hahaha, doesn’t believe when people say “he is hot” haha, too down-to-earth that I think he doesn’t know that he’s THAT popular …
He’s for me, should be a role model for the youth around the world.
Not only that he sings amazing songs, he even helps out several charities! Now that’s something!
I watched this guy, from the very beginning of AI7 and from that very moment that he auditioned, I knew that he is something and someone to watch for. I knew that this guy, is special.
He just doesn’t know it, but he’s inspring BILLIONS *or should I say, TRILLIONS?* of people around the globe through his music, and the things he does.
He maybe small in size, but he has the biggest heart that I know. He may not have won the American Idol title but for me, *and as well, to billion others*, he’s the REAL American Idol, he’s someone to look-up to, and someone you can truly idolize, not just only because of his talent, but because person he is.
His parents did a great job, raising a kid like him. Congratulations to Jeff and Lupe Archuleta!
Yes. Yes. Yes. David James M. Archuleta, is my kindda guy =)
***
Have a great day everyone, and thank you!
Much love and respect,
Clair from the Philippines.
very well said..btw im from
very well said..btw im from the philippines too
Thanks! Really? :)) That's
Thanks! Really? :)) That's amazing! We should chat sometime! :)
Good interview. Somehow I
Good interview. Somehow I totally forgot he is a teenager. What a personality.
Very nice and down to earth
Very nice and down to earth article! Worthy of Mr. Archuleta!
Nice article, really great
Nice article, really great in showing David´s personality and values...
This is a fantastic article,
This is a fantastic article, and as others have said it delves into the side of David his fans have grown to love -- that amazing humility and optimism. Love the photos, too. Thank you!
Thanks for this great
Thanks for this great article! I especially love this quote: “important to reach out to as many people as you can because of the attention you’re receiving.”
David is already a star and it is great to see a young man in this industry who is a really great role model for young people, something we truly need these days.
David gets his message across just by always remaining true to himself and to his beliefs. I appreciate that, and as a parent,I value that so much.
I am not disagreeing with
I am not disagreeing with what you have said, but David is a role model for humanity. He inspires so many of us to want to be better people, more human, kind, and giving of ourselves. Not to take away at all that he is 18 years old, and hopefully will influence many men and women his age to be better too.
Thank you for this great
Thank you for this great article ! The best ever. David Archuleta is the best rolemodel to everyone - youth and adult !
Amy, thank you for taking
Amy, thank you for taking the time to interview and write an insightful article about David Archuleta, who is indeed a very special talent. It's obvious you 'get' him, as do his multitude of fans. And the pictures taken by Matt Clayton are out-of-this-world stunning!
Amy...nicely done. I really
Amy...nicely done. I really enjoyed reading this. You gave us some great insight to David Archuleta that has been rarely articulated elsewhere; a fun-loving, quirky teen who is 360 degrees handsome inside and out. Thanks for portraying him as a normal young man with a giving heart, well grounded by family and who is pursuing his dream of performing. Why not just do a regular series on him? I'll subscribe, and about a gazillion other fans too.
And Matt Clayton, can you come to Toronto and photograph my family for me? Pretty please?
Great article! This is the
Great article! This is the David we all know and LOVE. He is very smart and knows what he is doing. You can certainly tell that by this writing. You captured the most fantastic photos of him. I have yet to see any better!(I have seen alot!)Thanks so much for letting David be DAVID!
.. WOW.. This article is
.. WOW.. This article is GREAT!.. Both the writor and the photographer really understand David and they illustrated it beautifully with their art. This article was very entertaining to read and its sooo true!.. thatis exactly the type of person David is and that one of the millions of reasons why us David fans love him!. From the bottom of our hearts we as Fans of David Archuleta thank you Amy Choate-Nielsen and Matt Clayton for your great work!.. KUDOS YOU GUYS!!
p.s David's photographs are Breath taking!..
simply BEAUTIFUL!!! ..both
simply BEAUTIFUL!!! ..both Matt Clayton and Amy Choate-Nielsen get David! great job!!
thank you for the fantastic
thank you for the fantastic article. great photos too.
THIS IS THE BEST ARTICLE I
THIS IS THE BEST ARTICLE I HAVE EVER READ ABOUT DAVID ARCHULETA. GREAT JOB!!!!
Thank you, very well written
Thank you, very well written article about David, I love this one!
Thanks for this amazing
Thanks for this amazing article on David, I really enjoyed it! The photographs were beautiful as well. I don't know why but reading about him watching his phone take off on that plane made me really sad. I imagine that must be the one thing that helps him keep in touch with all the people he loves, which must be an important comfort while you are going through this kind of whirlwind in your life. I really, really hope he was able to get his phone returned to him somehow. Of course he could easily get a new one but it probably had a lot of irreplacable things on it like his phone numbers, photos and music. Poor thing.
Anyway, thanks again - you guys really captured the David we all know and love.
I get Square Magazine
I get Square Magazine delivered to my apartment frequently and I love it! I am also an avid Archuleta fan! Square and Archuleta are painting the same amazing picture- That it is cool to be simple, humble, and clean. Thanks for the great article and keep em coming!
This is a really good
This is a really good article, represents David and his family perfectly. David is an amazing young man and will continue to be popular with many people. He has many fans all ages that are willing to do whatever it takes to help David with his career as an artist. Oh and btw he has a beautiful voice and his music is just going to keep getting better, because David will not give up looking for the perfection of his talent and gift. Thank you for a great read and awesome photos.
This is a very well written
This is a very well written article, quite unlike the many slap-dash pieces I have read on the internet.
Thank you for showing us that good writing is not a dying art.
You have managed to capture the essence of this amazing young man through your choice of quotes. I am especially touched by the following:
He says the attention he receives as one of America’s newest heartthrobs is “a gift you receive that you’re trusted to use well,” and that it’s “important to reach out to as many people as you can because of the attention you’re receiving.”
David Archuleta is not just an awesome singer. He is a beautiful person worthy of emulation by all ages.
This is a very well written
This is a very well written article, quite unlike the many slap-dash pieces I have read on the internet.
Thank you for showing us that good writing is not a dying art.
You have managed to capture the essence of this amazing young man through your choice of quotes. I am especially touched by the following:
He says the attention he receives as one of America’s newest heartthrobs is “a gift you receive that you’re trusted to use well,” and that it’s “important to reach out to as many people as you can because of the attention you’re receiving.”
David Archuleta is not just an awesome singer. He is a beautiful person worthy of emulation by all ages.
Kudos on an insightful and
Kudos on an insightful and beautifully written article. You captured what David's fans love about him — his "David"ness, so your headline is perfect!
And those photos are incredible. Well done!
I just loved this!!! Thanks
I just loved this!!!
Thanks very much for such a wonderful article on this adorable angel!
OK, here is the thing... I
OK, here is the thing... I just cannot imagine somebody nicest than this kid in the world. I just want to hold him in my life for ever (even when he does not have a clue I exist). He is just so important and necessary for me that I cannot pass a day without reading something about him or listening his music. I just simply adore him, and my whole family as well. My whole life away for this kid.... Thanks for the nice article......Made my day
I agree. Same here! My day
I agree. Same here! My day wouldn't complete, if I don't go to fansofdavid.com, regarding what David did during the day!
Your article captured the
Your article captured the essence of David and what so many of us love about him. Thanks!
Thank you for giving us a
Thank you for giving us a real glimpse of a day in the life of David Archuleta. His music and personality are a gift to all of us! Great article and the pictures are to die for! Thank you so much, Amy and Matt. Great job all the way around!
thank you for this amazing
thank you for this amazing article!!! it really showcases what an amazing person he is. he is SO SWEET to his fans...and i know pretty much anybody would be freaking out if they had to watch their phone fly away. imagine (haha) how important that phone was to DAVID! had all the numbers to keep in touch his old friends...aw, but i am so proud that he didn't pull the celebrity card. that is just so awesome! and the whole thing with him saying how he's normal still,and 'just david' while people ask him for autographs is really ironic and hilarious XDD.
david is amazing!!
Awesome article, great
Awesome article, great artist. :)