David Archuleta - RazorTV Interview (Part 1) | x

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The New Paper: David Archuleta: Man on a mission

SINGAPORE - In less than two months, US pop singer David Archuleta will be taking a two-year break from his music career - to serve as a missionary.

The American Idol 7 runner-up, who is a Mormon, will be based in an undisclosed country without a mobile phone and will only get to communicate with his loved ones via letters or the occasional e-mail.

Within Asia, Archuleta has a particularly huge fan base in the Philippines, where he has just finished filming Pinoy TV drama Nandito Ako.

But girls, don’t worry.

The cherubic-faced 21-year-old - who is in town to perform at a private showcase at local club Avalon tonight - is focusing on his service during his mission work.

He was in high spirits when he met The New Paper yesterday and even sang Billy Joel’s Just The Way You Are at the start of the interview.

Archuleta, who wanted to keep his destination a secret, said: “I know many people who met their future spouses during their mission.

“They can meet up during that time, but they cannot date as for the two years we’re supposed to be focused on our faith and serving the community.

“So if you meet someone you like, you can stay in touch and then start dating them when the mission is completed.”

During the two years, he will only be given US$400 (S$500) a month by his church. The money will be used for his housing, food and any other necessities.

Since he is also not allowed to use his own savings, Archuleta said that to save money, he would ask to stay with people in “the community” if they are willing to house him.

Missionaries, he added, go about their work in pairs, but he does not know yet who his partner is going to be.

It’s hard to imagine a young star like Archuleta making such a drastic life change, but his mind is made up.

Why now, we asked Archuleta, who told us that such mission trips are not compulsory for Mormons. His simple answer? It’s the best time.

“If I don’t do it now, there will never be another time where I can do it.

“My friends who have done it survived basically on macaroni and cheese and cup noodles. I have always respected and admired them.

“So I’m looking forward to it. When I’ve completed the mission, I’ll start thinking about going to music school.”

On TV

Since the heart-throb came in second to rocker David Cook in American Idol 7 in 2008, he has released three albums - David Archuleta (2008), Christmas From The Heart (2009) and The Other Side Of Down (2010).

The latest and 11th season of the US reality singing series is showing exclusively on Star World (StarHub Ch501) every Thursday and Friday at 6pm.

He plays Josh Bradley, a Caucasian-Filipino who’s separated from his Filipina mother at a young age after a fire broke out at a hotel and grows up to be a successful singer.

Archuleta, who pronounced the title with a Filipino accent, speaks English in the production, but also has scenes in which he speaks and even sings in Tagalog.

He said that he had been approached in the past to do similar shows, but he finally chose to accept this one as he would be starting his missionary stint soon after.

For now, while he counts down to starting a very different life, Archuleta is enjoying watching American Idol 11.

He said: “The show is so fun now because Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are such positive people. “That doesn’t mean I don’t like Simon Cowell.

“Being negative all the time isn’t healthy, but criticism is a must. I remember it was Simon’s criticism that helped me improve myself week after week on theshow.”

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Singapore

In Singapore for a few days. Sorry the sound isn’t very good and it’s a little blurry and short. I just wanted to get a video by the water and show you guys that we were here haha.

Xin MSN Entertainment: Singer-actor David Archuleta turns missionary

David Archuleta may only be 21-years-old but there is no question the young star is wise beyond his years. 

In just a couple of months, he will vacate the limelight to go on a two-year Mormon mission in an undisclosed country - an undertaking he was motivated to pursue after seeing how lives have changed for his friends who embarked on it.

“Reading some of the news of my friends who have been on missions, they’ve really matured in their spirituality. And their understanding for life changed, just by giving everything up to help other people. I really admired them and I want to make that same sacrifice for a good cause,” David, who is currently in town to perform at a private showcase tonight, told xinmsn in an interview yesterday.

As determined as he seems, the decision didn’t come easy for David. He said, “It’s hard…thinking if it’s worth it to give up everything that I’ve worked so hard for in my music and having to leave my family.”

It has only been three-and-a-half years since the Utah native, who shot to fame after coming in second place on the seventh season of American Idol, started his thriving music career, but he maintains that he is not bidding farewell to fans nor is he quitting singing for good. In fact, the considerate singer even made plans to continue the connection with his fans in absentia.

“I’m not giving up [on music],” he said. “Before I leave, I’m going to try to record as much as I can so that even though I’m gone, I’m going to be releasing songs for my fans. I don’t want to leave them with nothing…I’m going to miss them.”

So isn’t he worried that the hiatus will affect his career? 

“I think it will affect my career but it will affect it in a good way,” he said. “I’ll be able to grow in my own way and gain new experiences, and it will inspire me emotionally in my [future] music.”

Decked in blue T-shirt, grey pants and a red cardigan, one can’t help but notice the hint of weariness in his eyes and tone as he spoke with xinmsn. Somehow, the chipper demeanour that we saw back in 2010 when David was in Singapore to promote his album, The Other Side of Down, was distinctly missing.

“Oh, I’m just a little behind of my sleep but I’m still fine. It’s the lack of sleep from filming, promotions and performances in the last weeks before I came here,” he assured good-naturedly. 

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David thanks his fans ♥ | x x

@kariontour: Here is a photo from last nights Star World event. | x

@DavidArchie: Good morning Singapore! So nice to be back here!
@DavidArchie: Fun day in Singapore with interviews, singing, and then ending with the Night Safari! Man, I loved that. Excited for tomorrow!
@kariontour: 3rd visit to the Night Safari in Singapore but also something new to see! Now, first time in 3 weeks I might can get 8 hours of sleep!? :)
@DavidArchie: Had fun with interviews this morning and the Starhub chat! If you weren’t able to see it, Check Starhub’s Facebook later today!
@DavidArchie: Quick update from Singapore! —————>  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDMEDOnYeaE
@DavidArchie: Sorry if you can’t really hear me that well! We only had a little bit of time to make the video but wanted to show you the background haha. | x

Inquirer Entertainment: Looks like David Archuleta won’t be able to record the English version of Aaron Paul’s hit composition, “Nandito Ako.” David’s rendition of the original Tagalog version is quite endearing. Before flying to Singapore, Archie had such a frenzied schedule, so he didn’t have enough time for recording. Too bad; it would have been a breakthrough for an American Idol to sing the English version of a Pinoy classic which could be a big hit on foreign shores. Hopefully, he can still do it someday soon. | x

More buzz: Yahoo! Philippines || FilAm Nation || Carlo Valenzona || Todo Entertainment || The Philippine Star ||

Yahoo! Singapore: ‘Idol’ Star on becoming a missionary: It’s a calling

Four years after American Idol, David Archuleta announced last December that he will be putting his successful music career on hold for two years to be a missionary.

Speaking to Yahoo! Singapore about his decision, the exuberant singer-songwriter who is in town to promote the reality TV singing competition and his music said, “It was a really hard decision and it took me a couple of years to make the decision.”

“I actually considered doing it during pre-Idol days but it wasn’t on my mind as much until after Idol. Besides, I was still under contractual obligations with my label then,” he revealed.

The former runner-up from the seventh American Idol season insisted that it wasn’t a hasty decision. “There were a lot going through my head when I was making the decision. I am giving up what I worked so hard for, leaving my family and fans behind,” he said.

“But I know it’s worth it. It is a calling from within and it’s exactly the same feeling when I went ahead to quit my job to audition for American Idol,” he added.

The baby face Idol finalist, who turned 21 two months ago, feels very fortunate to garner support and encouraging words from his family and fans. “My family was very surprised and made sure I thought about this thoroughly. My mum taught me to follow my heart and I did,” he grinned.

“My fans are mixed about it though. They don’t want me to go but it’s cool to see how supportive they have been and the respect they have shown towards my decision,” he said earnestly.

Knowing that this is what he wants and willing to put everything down, David feels happy that he is setting a good example. “A lot of people in my church were undecided to go on a mission. But after seeing what I did, they told me they have decided to go too. It’s so cool to hear that,” he laughed.

But Archuleta will not be leaving his fans in a lurch. The singer has it all planned out. “Even though I cannot perform while I am gone, I am still going to record music before I leave,” he said.

“I am not going to leave my fans empty handed. I am not sure what the rules are going to be like but I will update my fans with a quick email or video whenever time permits,” he added.

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