Natural talent + fate = Utah 'Idol' Archuleta

No one outside immediate family members could fully explain the David Phenomenon — and now they can't talk, since "American Idol" requires all contestants and their families to sign a contract agreeing not to speak to the media about the show while the competition is under way.

Friends and high school acquaintances all describe David as painfully shy, but put him on a stage in front of thousands — or millions, in this case — and he becomes an entertainer.

"That's real — he is very shy," says Jim Archuleta. "You couldn't get three words in a row out of him, but he transforms the minute he gets on stage."

David's career on the national stage began with another twist of fate 11 years ago. Jim's son, Jeff — David's father — brought home a 10th anniversary collection of songs from "Les Miserables." A month later, Jeff was stunned to hear David not only singing every song from the Broadway musical by memory, with all the right accents, but also in perfect pitch.

He was 6 years old.

"That's when we realized this kid has a gift," says Jim. "And there is no question about it — he does have a gift."

The source of David's talent can be traced through his ancestry. Jim performed with a quartet to earn money while attending the University of Utah. Jim's first wife, Claudia — David's grandmother — was a singer and aspiring actress (they divorced and she died six years later).

David's father acted on stage in Promised Valley Playhouse productions of "Music Man" and "Peanuts" and in a TV commercial for the LDS Church. He also played the trumpet in BYU's nationally renowned Jazz group, "Synthesis," and considered making a career out of music.

"I talked him out of it," says Jim. "I didn't think that was a vocation that would be good for him and his family. I told him, 'You should keep that as a hobby so you can be home with your family."'

Jeff, who sells electronic equipment and computers, continues to play the trumpet and writes his own songs.

Jim believes the source of David's talent comes largely through David's mother, Lupe, who emigrated to the United States after joining the LDS Church in her native Honduras. After serving a Spanish-speaking church mission in Philadelphia, Jeff met Lupe while working a summer job selling insulation in Florida, and they married. Lupe was a singer and salsa dancer, and she passed on a passion for both to her five children — Claudia, David, Daniel, Melissa and Amber. They sang and danced for church groups, Kiwanis clubs, Boy Scouts, family gatherings and parties.