American Idol's eighth season kicks off tonight on Fox--but last night, J-14 got our own Idol experience with an intimate InTune concert at Hard Rock Café in New York City's Time Square with last year's runner-up, David Archuleta.
We were there from start to finish, getting a true taste of what David is really like. Right off the bat, it was clear he didn't have even a speck of superstar attitude. In fact, chatting with David is no different than just hanging out with one of your closest friends...he's so friendly, so open, and so sweet.
The moment we stepped into David's dressing room, he was already singing--it's no wonder he's such a natural. Once he got on stage for his soundcheck, he was even more of a pro... adjusting and tweaking sounds so they were just right.
David was constantly being pulled in different directions: meeting fans, doing interviews, posing for photos, and so much more... but he was totally chill about it all and did everything with his trademark grin and modest attitude. He's just the kind of person you want to be a star.
The "Crush" singer wasn't the only star at the show-- Nickelodeon's Spectacular! star Nolan Gerard Funk opened with two songs from the TV musical (premieres February 16). It was his first stage show ever--and he had a sinus infection!--yet he worked the crowd like he'd been performing all this life. And boy, were the girls screaming! Definitely a new hottie alert!
The screams amplified with David A. got on stage. He sat at his keyboard and belting the lyrics out the lyrics to "Angels" and "A Thousand Miles" with all his heart--and also got up to rock the house with his hits "Crush" and "A Little Not Too Over You." The crowd encored him back for more--so he took requests, and finally went with "I'll Be." When we met him backstage right after the show, he admitted he totally did that on the spot. "I always forget to prepare an encore," he laughed.
Want even more proof that both David and Nolan are amazing performers? They can totally think quickly and go with the flow under pressure. The tracks for David's "Crush" and Nolan's "Don't Tell Me" were swapped on accident. When Nolan heard the wrong track, he entertained the crowd by getting them pumped up. And then when David got the wrong track too, he started shimmying his shoulders and dancing across the stage--yup, don't mistake the sweet Idol as shy, he's got moves!
Watch all the action in the videos below:
After all that, both Nolan and David still made time to sign autographs for fans--always with a smile. If we didn't already "crush" on David before, last night made us crush even more! And we're more pumped than ever for Spectacular (and the songs are sooo catchy they're stuck in our heads!).
Photos: Startraks/Alex Oliveira
thank u j14!
I was there last night and it was truly an amazing night---didn't go to school today either, lol.
thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2nd comment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love nelsy!!!!!!
David was sooo amazing! Hes so cute I love him!!!
David was sooo amazing! Hes so cute I love him!!!
David Archuleta's awesome! He should've won American Idol!! :-) I really luv his song "Your Eyes Don't Lie"! It's got a really good beat to it!
David Archuleta's awesome! He should've won American Idol!! :-) I really luv his song "Your Eyes Don't Lie"! It's got a really good beat to it!
David Archuleta's awesome! He should've won American Idol!! :-) I really luv his song "Your Eyes Don't Lie"! It's got a really good beat to it!
David Archuleta's awesome! He should've won American Idol!! :-) I really luv his song "Your Eyes Don't Lie"! It's got a really good beat to it!
David Archuleta's awesome! He should've won American Idol!! :-) I really luv his song "Your Eyes Don't Lie"! It's got a really good beat to it!
I love David and would have loved to see him perform again! I entered the contest to go to that concert, but I didn't win..... and Nolan Gerard Funk looks like a great singer too!! I would love to hear him sing sometime. Sounds like it was a fun event!!
I love David and would have loved to see him perform again! I entered the contest to go to that concert, but I didn't win..... and Nolan Gerard Funk looks like a great singer too!! I would love to hear him sing sometime. Sounds like it was a fun event!!
David Archuleta's awesome! He should've won American Idol!! :-) I really luv his song "Your Eyes Don't Lie"! It's got a really good beat to it!
David A is so amazingly awesome.
He is an amazing singer.
David A is so amazingly awesome.
He is an amazing singer.
david is so amazing!!
i wanted to go to the concert but i didnt win tickets :(
OOOOOH Nolan Funk's song Don't Tell Me is overly awesome :D
I absoultely loooovvveeeee David!!! he did great!
I love David!!! He`s awesome!!!
David was so amazinggggg. Everyone needs to check out his CD too.
OMG!!!!! I wish i could have went :( When I saw his dance I was in tears lol!!!! Can't wait for his tour!!!
amazing!!!!!
yes i cant wait for david tour either
its ganna rock im so excited
I love David Archuleta! I live about an hour away from where he lives. I am really loving his songs. I hope one day I will be on American Idol. BYE!!! Leave a comment to me and I will check back!
Aww! You gotta luv David! And is it just me or does Nolan kinda look like Cody Linely, but with black hair? Idk maybe I'm just crazy! :p
i totally love david to death! i wish i was there so i could've seen his little dance! he did a great job at performing! nolan's song "don't tell me" is awesome! its really catchy!
i like love david sooooooooo much he is such a hottie!!!
omg !! that concert was great !! i had so much fun !!
david is so hot and i like him
david is so hot and i like him
he is so hotttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love his music
I totally got David A's Crush CD for my 16th B-Day & I THOUGHT HE WAS SOO AWESOME I STILL WISH HE HAD WON AMERICAN IDOL LAST SEASON NO MATTER WHAT MY STEP-SISTER SAYS!?!?!?!?!
if david archuletta ever reads this i just want him to know that i have lots of hope of meetin him and well date him someday
wow!
david looks WAY better than he used to
i think both of them are hottttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt!
OMG I LOVE DAVID SOOOOOOOO much he is like the best i love his singing please put wayyyy more of him in j-14!!!!!!!!!!!! i would appreciate that alot. I LOVED THE VIDS AND PIXX. keep up the gud work =]
OMG DAvid Archuleta has an amazing voice. And OMG he is SO hot!!!
OMG..They are BOTH cute=]Well..They are also VERY good performers!!!!!=]Im VERY HAPPY For BOTH of Them!!!!!!!=]
Vicky=]
nolan funk i love him, he totally rocks and he's super hot!!! have any not seen his muscles??? *shriek* i absolutley love him!!!XD
nolan funk i love him, he totally rocks and he's super hot!!! have any not seen his muscles??? *shriek* i absolutley love him!!!XD
omg i cant believe i couldnt go 2 the concert me and my bff wanted 2 go together she luuuuvs david and i absolutly LUV nolan as soon as i saw him i went omg!!! he sooo hot
Nolan Gerard Funk rox my sox!!!:)
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