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Archuleta as awed by fans as they are of him
By KIMBERLY JANE TAN, GMANews.TV
MANILA, Philippines â Despite his international fame, "American Idol Season 7" runner-up David Archuleta still seems unaware of his stature. âWhy are you guys nervous? Youâre making me nervous," the 18-year-old singer-songwriter asked "SIS" hosts Carmina Villaroel and Gelli and Janice De Belen, who seemed to be as overwhelmed as the more than 800 spectators in the GMA Network Studios on Thursday. With just a smile and an "oh gosh" for every compliment that he got from the trio, Archuleta won over the whole crowd in the studio â the way he did with the American public during his "American Idol" stint. "Itâs so neat just getting to meet kids who look up to you, itâs really cool," he said. He did, however, say that he never intended to be a "role model' for his young fans â who made his first self-titled album No. 2 in the Billboard Top 100 on its first week of release. "Itâs not like I was trying to be a role model or anything, I was just being who I was thinking that it was enough to influence people," said the international crooner. He added that he doesnât even consider himself an adult. "Iâm 18 but I act like Iâm 14," said Archuleta. Musical roots According to the "Idol" runner-up, he started singing when he was six â with the first song he ever learned coming from the musical "Les Miserables." "The first thing that got me into music was when I watched this tenth anniversary tape of 'Les Miserables' when I was six, and I couldnât stop watching it. The first song I learned was from [it is] called 'Castle on the Cloud'," he said. After this, he said the second most influential thing for him would probably his first encounter with Kelly Clarkson â the 29-year-old American singer-songwriter who was the very first American Idol. "I think Kelly is way up there. Kelly is one of the people I admire and look up to," he said. But he has more idols. "There were so many people who have had influence and impact on me. I love music," he said. He cited Stevie Wonder, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Michael Jackson, Natasha Bedingfield, Natalie Cole, and Mariah Carey as some of these influences. Archuleta did, however, pick Jackson as his favorite all-time performer. "I still think Michael Jackson is amazing, heâs had just so many great songs throughout his career that were really inspiring to me," he said. His current favorite song, on the other hand, is âIâm Yours" by Mraz. "I love Jason. Isnât he great?" he asked the audience who were more than happy to answer âyes." In awe of Filipino talent But despite always being surrounded by world-class talents, he said he was really amazed at how well Filipinos could sing. "I canât believe this. I mean Filipinos are so amazingly talented, goodness, you all sing so well, thatâs incredible," he said after hearing La Divasâ Jonalyn Viray, Aicelle Santos, and Maricris Garcia deliver their version of âThe Long and Winding Road" â a song that earned the "American Idol" runner-up rave reviews during his stint in the show. âThat was amazing, you guys sing so beautifully. Wow!" the American singer told the trio. While at a loss for words, he just said that he wasnât expecting "that." âThat was like, I wasnât expecting that, I wasnât expecting youâre harmonizing, I was like: Oh, so perfect, perfect harmonizing," said Archuleta. R&B Princess Kyla, with her version of "And I Am Telling You," also managed to charm the international crooner. "Goodness, oh my gosh, all these singers can sing better than I can," the "Idol" runner-up told the "SIS" hosts. Sugar Pop members Pocholo Bismonte and Renzo Almario, on the other hand, showed the American celebrity the great potential of young Filipino singers. "Itâs like a different vibe," Archuleta told the two after they sang his third single "Touch My Hand." But when it was his turn to sing, he said he just couldnât follow local acts like that. âI feel dumb going after all those singers. Iâm just like blown away by everyone here, this show should be about everyone here," he said. He did, however, still wowed the audience with his chart-topping single âCrush." On more Filipino things But the Filipino talent isnât the only thing that he seems to have taken a liking to in the Philippines. According to Archuleta, he loves the Filipino mangoes. "I had two of them this morning," he said. In addition, he was fairly intrigued by our jeepneys. "I've seen a lot of those around, I wanna ride one," he said. - GMANews.TV
Tags: davidarchuleta, americatidol
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