Friends knew Archuleta had talent

A few months ago, David Archuleta could walk the halls of Murray High School with little notice.

He wasn't particularly popular or outgoing, friends say. Just a normal 17-year-old kid who liked "Guitar Hero" and worried about his grades.

But seemingly overnight, Archuleta has become a pop star with the ability to make love-struck girls and grandmothers cry. Mothers want him to marry their daughters, and the "American Idol" finalist can command a crowd larger than most politicians.

This transition to superstar — or "Idol," if you will — has been a little odd for friends and acquaintances.

He's David. From Murray.

But those who are close to Archuleta say they've always had a hunch the hazel-eyed heartthrob would find a way to touch people with his music. They have heard the power of his voice, whether singing hymns in a seminary class or joining others in a school choir.

"He's living his dream, which I think is way cool," said Jessica Judd, a junior at Murray and a close friend. "It's so cool that he's finally doing it, and he sings just so he can reach people. He doesn't just want to be a celebrity."

She says his humility and shyness aren't an act. That is who he is. While some boys at high school always have girls all over them, Archuleta didn't, according to Judd. He just had a lot of friends, and "no one disliked him."

Last week, when Archuleta returned to his high school for a hometown trip sponsored by "American Idol," thousands of friends, acquaintances and fans came to see him perform. The dark-haired teen, whose mother is from Honduras, told the crowd he was overwhelmed and grateful for the support.

Earlier in the day, he cried when he saw the crowd that had gathered to meet him at The Gateway Mall in downtown Salt Lake City.

"I don't think you realize how much this means to me," he said. "Thank you so much for you guys' support."

Archuleta's biography says he began singing as early as age 6, when his dad, Jeff, brought home a CD with songs from "Les Miserables." Archuleta memorized the music from the disc, and not only could he perform the songs with the correct accents, but in perfect pitch, his grandfather, Jim Archuleta, told the Deseret News earlier this year.

"That's when we realized this kid has a gift," the elder Archuleta said during that interview.