Reader comments
Mormon Pop: American Idol

118 comments | Read story

BTW | 4:01 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

The Mormon contestants probably won't make it too far in the competition. They will probably run out of "wholesome" songs to sing after a few rounds. Brook will need to "show some skin" to compete with the other babes in the competition.

Live. Laugh. Love | 6:21 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I am a big 'American Idol' fan and I loved Brooke White!!! I didn't know for sure if she was LDS or not, but I guessed. She is adorable and an amazing singer. I hope she does well. I also like that guys David, too. I don't know how far they'll go, but I hope they do well.

GO BROOKE | 6:21 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Hey Brooke White is a family friend and an absolutely amazing singer, song writer (yes she writes her own songs), and performer. Congrats Brooke so far on you success and keep to your standards girl!

Comments continue below

Naha Yazzie | 9:53 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Eddie T Bassy baby, it the grand realm of the contest, it don't really matter. Could be a major issue time for some though, I guess.

For me I feel a nice sense of connection to those LDS performers, and hope they do well in the competition.

I think it's kind of neat for a Native American who can't sing to feel a bond with a couple of non-Indians I don't even know. Mutual respect for similar values I guess.

Kind of cool, don't you think Eddie T and Spenny.

james stowe | 7:25 a.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Thanks for the article, did not know they were LDS,
they will not get my vote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tarheel Ute | 10:18 a.m. Jan. 29, 2008

I am not surprised that Mormons would be interested Mormons who are succeeding or not in American idol, any more that say business, politics, etc. This is the case for any group of people with shared background or interests.

Catholics, Hispanics, Soldiers, etc. have found in especially interesting to know Idol contestants share their common background.

This article is simply providing LDS oriented information to a preponderant readership with a common interest.

I suspect their are many other news stories, BLOGS that provide information based on Idol contestants related their forums reader base. Not surprising at all that the Deseret News provides this information about LDS special interest. While it doesn't really matter, to this papers readership it is newsworthy.

I am a no-Mormon, who grew up in SLC, now living in Colorado Springs. I review the Deseret News and SLTRIB on a regular basis. LDS, non-LDS relations have not change much ï¿½ too bad.

Way to go!! | 6:36 p.m. Jan. 29, 2008

Just because someone lives in Utah doesn't automatically mean they are Mormon. I know plenty of people who are not LDS and they live in Utah. We live in a state that does not produce "famous" people like other states do. We should be celebrating David Archuleta's success as a fellow Utahn and not the fact that he is Mormon. Utah is a very talented state and we should show it off more!!

NAME ONE! | 10:09 a.m. Jan. 31, 2008

NAME ME ONE POP SINGER WHO IS MORMON WHO IS AN ACTIVE, THAT's RIGHT ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE CHURCH. THE DEMANDS OF THE BUSINESS DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR SOMEONE WHO WILL DRESS MODESTLY, OR HAVE A CERTAIN BRAND OF MUSIC. WHAT's THE POINT OF WINNING AND THEN HAVE YOUR CONTRACT RIPPED FROM YOU. MOST OF THE CONTESTANT DO NOT CARE ABOUT THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT THEN AGAIN ANOTHER LDS PERSON WHO CONFORMS TO POP CULTURE WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME EITHER.

Murray Man | 8:10 p.m. Jan. 31, 2008

David Archuletta has the best pipes I've ever heard. And he's not just good at singing but he's a very active member of his church. Anyone from our school could tell you that!

Anonymous | 9:21 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Re: Name one active Mormon Pop Star- Brandon Flowers of The Killers?

BillBob | 11:22 p.m. Feb. 12, 2008

I miss Kellie Pickler!!!

S*A*L*M*O*N

Stenar | 12:14 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Brandon Flowers is not an active Mormon.

Anonymous | 6:09 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Cardin McKinney is LDS too, and she's from northern Alabama but moved to Nashville. She got cut last night.

RE: CAPS BUTTON | 7:06 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!!! MY cAPS bUtTON IS brOKEN... Please dude, you don't need all caps to make your little point. And James Stowe, I really don't care that your not voting for the LDS kids. You know what they say, you can lead a bigot to water but it takes real talent to get him to take off his hood.

Ron in OC | 8:27 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Re: Ernest T. Bass
I love reading your posts. The only thing I can't figure out is if you are serious or just make your comments to get a reaction.

To: NAME ONE | 8:47 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Try Liriel Domiciano. Her success after winning the Brazilian version of American Idol is legendary, and she never compromised her standards.

BTO Mormon Rocker | 9:11 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Who cares about teenie bopper pop singers in the church? How about great rock guitarists in the church?
Randy Bachman is the ultimate legend! Everybody talks about the Osmonds but I could care less. BTO was one of the heavy bands of the 70s and Randy Bachman proved you can be a clean good Mormon and rock like no other.

SuperMo | 10:43 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Someone earlier posed the question as to what difference does it make because they are mormon. Here is the answer. Mormons are the complete deal. They can show the world that you can have high moral standards and still be talented.

BTO truth detector | 11:41 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Uhhh...Randy Bachman may be LDS, but he is far from clean...he is spending his retirement days in Canada smoking weed...

Funny | 11:53 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

I find it funny that people are getting so upset that the news is talking about Brooke and David being mormon, yet, the first time ANY mormon does something wrong it is sure to be plastered everywhere! i.e. "MORMON BISHOP ACCUSED OF CHILD MOLESTATION" "MORMON CHARGED IN MURDER" "MORMON ROBS BANK" come on people- members of the church are proud to have other members of their faith doing well in a national spotlight! It gives the whole nation a better idea that mormons aren't crazy amish freaks- and sadly a lot of people outside of Utah think so! Good for these wonderful LDS people- they can really sing!

ps- im not mormon

Relocated Southerner | 12:36 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008

The Osmonds would qualify as active members of the Church who are/have been successful performers. Also, it is my understanding that at least one of the Dixie Chicks is active LDS. Go google "famous Mormons", and you will find all sorts of LDS in all sorts of professions -- both famous and infamous. It's a pretty neat site.

gws | 12:47 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008

As mentioned earlier, Carden McKinney is LDS. I knew her and her family when I was in their ward in Alabama a few years ago. Very sweet girl, sorry to see her get cut.

Another active LDS musician of note is the lead singer Cove Reber of the group Saosin (ask your teenagers about them). One of my favorite YouTube clips of his is when someone through a popcorn ball up on stage and guess what he started singing...you guess it!

Steve - Congrats David Archuleta | 1:07 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008

I have some cool news about David, but first...

Congratulations to Utah's David Archuleta (16, of Murray) for making the top/final 24!! Way to go! I hope he goes far in this (at least the top 10 so he can go on the tour) or even wins. I love his voice. Everyone here in Utah let's band together and flood the show with votes for David starting next week. Soon we'll have us a new "Idol" commentator... bye bye Carmen!

OH!! And the cool news about David. As of right now (1:15 PM on 2/14/08) he is leading a poll on MSN for readers favorite "IDOL" contestant (he has 20%, the runner up has 18%, then EVERY other contestant has less than 10% of the vote)! That's what the whole country on MSN is thinking so far, cool huh? I'd post the link so you all could see and maybe vote, but it's not allowed here. It's in MSN reality TV section, in article about the final 24 today.

DABCrep | 2:27 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Aren't we moving "Mormon Pop" from grocery stores to the State Liquor stores?

B Woods | 3:26 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Congrats to Brooke!! She is the example we want for young people in the church. We all should have the courage to stand up for what we believe. She will be an American Idol, win or lose. Go Brooke!

MoJules | 5:03 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008

With the anti-Mormon stuff that went on with Romney, all the people who were so closed minded, I just kept wanting to bring to light who is a Mormon. There are business people, athletes, artists and so forth, Gladys Knight is a Mormon and strong and committed. I know that there was a girl that went far on one of the AI's I think season four, she stayed strong. It is a test to be in this arena, but there are many who do stay strong, I have been impressed with Zach Wilson on Dance Wars. I have wondered if Benji Schwimmer is holding strong, he seemed like he had embraced the worldliness and lost that innocence. I just read about Miss Utah and how she was in the top ten in Miss USA and that she held strong to her dress standards. Ashley D??? who was a professional in Dancing with the Stars always dressed more modestly. I like Brooke and David, along with some others, but before I knew he was a Mormon, I fell in love with Davids voice and his charisma, I hope they both do well.

One more.... | 6:07 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Don't forget, the famous Gladys Knight is an active, clean member of the LDS Church as well. Also, though many think she's just a Mormon singer, Jenny Jordan Frogley actually has opened for Ray Charles, substituted for both Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight and sung at Radio City Music Hall and Opryland. Just to name a couple. And to join with many others, for those that hate this article, please quit reading the LDS Newsline!

sonny & emily | 9:41 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008

We're from Philippines and we are regularly watching American Idol and it's nice to know that two of the American Idol are lds. This knowledge made us proud ever more of our faith. To David and Brooke, congratulations!

Rick | 11:20 p.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Just attended a concert with William Joseph. What an amazing pianist. He's opened for Josh Groban as well as Il Divo. His producer is none other than the great David Foster. Just watch this young man fly to the top. By the way there is no closer community than the LDS community. We have such a close bond with other members from any race or culture. We have the ability to transcend all barriers in part due to our world-wide missionary efforts as well as humanitarian actions all over the globe. We just flat out care about all our brothers and sisters who share this amazing bond we call the Restored Gospel. We all loved President Hinckley and we all love President Monson. It just goes on and on with no end. Moreover we are totally open to welcome anyone to join us who shares our values regardless of skin color or of different ethnic origin.

Karen D | 12:50 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

Hey deseret morning news people...! We need a newer American idol story. Especially since White and Archibald(?) have moved on to the final 24.

LDS girl | 1:38 a.m. Feb. 16, 2008

the reason we make such a big deal about it is because its very difficult to be successful in an industry that is so contradictory to our standards and beliefs and to see someone of the same faith get far is amazing! You'd be surprised at how many famous mormons are active. I'm definitely rooting for brooke and david!

Jake | 11:29 a.m. Feb. 16, 2008

His voice has a lot of star power and potential. I don't see why that has anything to do with his religious values. It sure does make my opinion of his intelligence wane however. If you believe in that God crap, what other types of ridiculous superstitions are you prone to accepting? I mean, seriously.

Jacob | 11:59 p.m. Feb. 16, 2008

But of course, no one on here commented about BYU student, musician, and Mormon Shaun Barrowes who also made it to Hollywood for AI even if he didn't get past the next rounds, and has toured around the country.

LDS girl | 2:02 p.m. Feb. 18, 2008

RE: Jake
How does believing in God make you less intelligent? I know plenty of very intelligent mormons, in fact we are encouraged to continue our educations and attend college!

Zac | 1:09 p.m. Feb. 28, 2008

He is such a nice kid and he is definently not gay for some who think he is. That is so out of the question. And also I am Morman so I know his standards. And mormonism is a very good thing to have on your side. By the way I am only 10 years old and I already I have the wonderful gospel in my life.

Amber-An Archuleta Fan<3 | 1:27 p.m. Feb. 29, 2008

Okay,
so I'm going to say this;
I'm glad Mormon people are doing well and we get to here about it;
and I'm not even Mormon.

I am a Christian, and an active one at that,
and I didn't really know what LDS was till 7th grade.

My best friend is Mormon and her and her family are wonderful.
I love her so much.
Mormons have the best morals and sometimes,
I think they are better than Christians.

I still don't get why people didn't want Mitt Romney to be president. I think that's horrible, and God wouldn't like it.
Both my mom and I, want Romney to be elected.
And both of us absoloutely LOVE David.
My mom even wants me to go to BYU cuz it's such a good school.
lol

Idol Fanatic | 11:57 a.m. March 1, 2008

Brooke and David are both rockin' on American Idol!!! I vote each week for those two, cuz I love them so much!!! Mormon + Awesome singers = My vote!!! I will SO buy their CDs.

Anonymous girl | 11:02 a.m. March 8, 2008

David is perfect! He is the best singer ever! He is cute,has a good voice, has humour and he is LDS! He is the perfect person! Also for Brooke White she can really sing and is so pure! Don't let Simon tell you to go on the dark side! It will be amazing who will win! GO DAVID! GO BROOKE! Vote for both of them!

Cole | 7:31 a.m. March 9, 2008

Brooke and david,
im a mormon too !!!!!!
Good luck to both of you,
i hope you guys make it all the way to the top!!!

Mormon girl | 7:36 a.m. March 9, 2008

it totally matters if your lds, because there aren't many out there. Seeing them on national telivision is great!They are representing all the mormons out there!
GO BROOKE AND DAVID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Jake | 9:56 a.m. March 12, 2008

Move along troll, nothing to see here. He's just trying to pick a fight.

Mohan | 10:21 a.m. March 12, 2008

I like that Brooke has never made a big deal about her Religion. She just quietly is doing the right things and singing her heart out. Go Brooke.

Mormons are notorious for lying | 10:27 a.m. March 12, 2008

How many LDS missionaried lied about themselves on their missions. Some of the biggest liars I ever met where these guys from my mission. My comment is though it is nearly impossible to be a superstar actor or actress or pop star because of it's demands. Demands from the producers, fans, media, record. co and etc. Even if this archuletta kid wins no one is going to pay to watch this kid or buy his CD.

Don't you think | 10:24 a.m. March 12, 2008

So UTah mnedia has claim to every LDS person who makes a name for him/her self. Look at this American Idol thing everyone finds out she is Mormon and we go crazy. She isn't even from UTah and all the pub and hype is up here. Don't you think she should be written about by her local papers and radio. I just think it's weird that they make it seem she is a local talent just because she is mormon. " Get your own talent UTah"!

Cathy | 11:22 a.m. March 12, 2008

I love it when I hear of famous Mormons, I am Mormon, it is a bond! However, I don't think they would even be there if they were not really good! So, they are both, that is wonderful! I love to hear about good people, doing good things, Christians, Jews, lots of religious affiliated people do great things, when they can stand up for what they believe and succeed we should all be routing for them! So all you folks making negative comments, get positive! Get excited for what is good! It is better for our children, families, and society in general!

RE: Earnest to Bash | 12:20 p.m. March 12, 2008

Grrrrrrr, darn mormons, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

hangman | 12:23 p.m. March 12, 2008

I think Shaun Barrowes was and still is the best of the bunch. Too bad Nigel didn't want him.

wow | 3:17 p.m. March 12, 2008

Wow.

caroline | 7:12 a.m. March 13, 2008

I love to sing and I love to see people share the same love and interest. Good job to all Mormon singers. I love hearing their beautiful music. It makes me feel closer to my Savior. Because "the song of the righteous is like a prayer to God."

Why Mormons? | 7:29 a.m. March 13, 2008

Why does it matter so much to some that they are LDS? It's almost as if they were a brother or a sister, oh wait a minute... they are a brother and a sister.

Go Sister White and Brother Archuleta!!! Thanks for showing the world your talents but sticking to your standards at the same time.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.