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Share This \| Related David Archuleta & Dad: Side Deal Grief for American Idol?
By Mary Shaw May 17, 2008

David Archuleta's dad was recently banned from back stage on "American Idol," and a new report claims that the final straw was when the show's execs learned he tried to cut a side deal for his son with one of the program's top advertisers. The National Enquirer is citing sources that claim that dad tried to cut a deal behind the scenes.

David Archuleta & Dad: Side Deal Grief for American Idol? (Fox)

The report claims that though it was widely reported that Jeff Archuleta was given the boot because he was pushy, controlling and encouraged his 17-year-old son to change some of the lyrics to a song against the show's producers' requests, sources say "Idol" execs finally had enough after he secretly tried to cut an advertising deal for his son.

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"That's the real reason he's been officially banned from anywhere on 'American Idol' except sitting in the audience," said a source close to the show that is cited in the article. According to the source, Jeff Archuleta cornered an ad rep on the set of one of a video shoot and tried to talk him into signing David for an endorsement deal, the report claims.

That was the last straw for producers, who were already fed up with the overbearing stage dad. In addition to banning him from all rehearsals, they refused to allow the older Archuleta on the private jet that flew the final four contestants to Las Vegas for Cirque du Soleil's "Love" show at The Mirage. He wasn't even permitted on the private flight back to Utah to film David's homecoming! Added the source: "No one is sorry to see him go."

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