'American Idol' finalists David Cook and David Archuleta on girls, video games and more

"I just wanna make a record that's gonna make the hair on the back of your neck stand up," exclaimed newly crowned "American Idol," David Cook, during a conference call with the media this morning.  When asked when he would recover from the exhaustion and excitement of it all, Cook replied, "Hopefully never."

Throughout the competition, Cook's mentality has been "hope for the best, expect the worst."  After all, following Tuesday's performance, the general sentiment was that Cook's rival, David Archuleta, had won the night. Believe it or not, Cook agreed.  "I definitely thought if you were basing it off of Tuesday, [Archuleta] deserved to win. He came out and did three amazing songs," recalled Cook. 

After his big win, Cook stopped by the "Idol" after-party with none other than his family. Throughout the call, Cook's family was at the front of his mind.  Cook even mentioned the possibility of a collaboration with his musician brother. "I've left the option open, and I'm kinda leaving it up to him," Cook explained, adding that he hopes that his brother will come hang out with him on tour, if only for "a short stint."

After all, Cook's brother was the one who persuaded him to attend the "Idol" audition in the first place. "He has been my No. 1 supporter from Day One," emphasized David Cook, "and has routinely told me how proud he is of me." When asked what he had given his brother in return, Cook replied, "Inadvertently, I'm responsible for getting him into video games."  Hmmm, sounds like one of the Cooks is getting the short end of the stick here.

As for his new star status, Cook remains in awe. "I can't believe the level of support that has come out of me doing this crazy TV show," he marveled.

The level of support in the "Idol" community was clear on Tuesday night, when 12 million more votes were cast for Cook than for Archuleta. "I attribute the finale vote … to my fans just being awesome," Cook stated simply. Still, Cook doesn't want the public to read too much into that number. "I think that number is actually really misleading," he mused, in yet another shout-out to formidable opponent Archuleta. "I was just honored to share the stage with him."

When the conversation moved back to Cook's time as a struggling musician, Cook recalled, "I wasn’t ready to give up on music, and I didn’t think music was ready to give up on me." Now an international star, Cook is grateful for his starving-artist days. "You get pretty humble playing shows to five people," he said with a chuckle.

As for the idea that he would have been better off not winning "Idol" (in terms of credibility as a rock musician), Cook admitted that the idea had crossed his mind, but he said he didn't give it much attention. It would have been "a slap in the face" to the competition and fans, he explained. "As far as having more success by not being a winner, I think that is something that will get played out in the next few years," he concluded.

If Cook looks like a different man today than the one we met months ago, it's not just the gleam in his eye. "I've lost probably 10, 15 pounds on this season," he revealed. And Cook's physique isn't the only thing that changed. He's become more open as a performer, thanks to vocal coach Debra Byrd, who helped him break down the "wall" he was putting up. Hence Cook's late-season success -– and his late-season proclivity for tears, especially at the finale. "The crying after I'd won was like an exhale," he recalled. "I felt like that whole time I was holding my breath." 

After the remarkably articulate and mature "Idol" winner bid us adieu, David Archuleta took over the call. Following Cook, Archuleta's relative youth and worldly inexperience were apparent. The two Davids are at such different stages of their lives, it seems amazing that they ever competed.

"Even after this interview I have to go to school," revealed Archuleta, a 17-year-old high school student. During the competition, while all of the other contestant enjoyed free time, Archuleta completed his requisite three hours of home-schooling. 

Archuleta is more like a typical high school student than one might assume. Believe it or not, he still isn't sure what he wants to do with his life. "I'm still looking at options and careers I'd be interested in in the future," he mused.  At the moment, he's considering a career as an ear, nose and throat doctor.  "It's something that really interests me because it's something that helps people who have the same problems as me," explained Archuleta. "It's something I can really relate to people with."

But don't fret, Archie-fans; he's not inspecting any noses just yet. Archuleta is still devoted to making an album. "The competition is now over, and now it's time to really focus on music," he asserted. Archuleta's album will include both "real music, where it has meaning and depth to it" and "fun stuff."  After all, he asserted, "I still wanna be able to relate to kids my age."

And as any kid his age might, Archie got more than a little choked up when the topic turned to girls. "It just bugs me when kids are like … all the drama," he said in reference to his lovesick contemporaries. "It's not like your infatuation with them is going to support you."  Still, Archuleta is not totally closed off to the idea of a love connection. "It's definitely something I'll want to focus on later on in life when I'm ready. When I feel like I've met a girl who has a great personality and someone … who has respect for themself, but not in like an arrogant way."

When the conversation turned to another uncomfortable topic -– the portrayal of his father, Jeff Archuleta, in the media -– Archuleta was surprisingly forthcoming. "I heard one thing was like he refused to give me water," Archie exclaimed in disbelief.  "I'm 17. If I want water, I'm pretty sure I'd just go get it." "The next thing is, he's a great guy," David said of his father, adding that his whole family had been incredibly supportive during his time on "Idol." "No one understands what I'm here for more than they do."

One of the things that he is not "here for," however, is the pictures. "I hate looking at myself," he revealed, adding that even before the competition, whenever a camera came out, he would "be the one hiding behind a bush or something." And it's not just looking at himself that irks Archie. "I can't stand hearing my voice," admitted the "Idol" finalist. "I've never watched myself on the show … I'm OK with talking on camera as long as I don’t have to hear it afterwards." Sure, he may be a world famous singer, but first and foremost, David Archuleta is a 17-year-old kid. 

Before the call was over, Archuleta wanted to say thank you, and not just to his fans. He was grateful to us, for even wanting to speak to him. "I'd just like to thank everyone for their time," said Archuleta, overbrimming with love and sincerity. "For them wanting to speak with me even though I'm out of it right now … it means a lot to me when people appreciate the hard work I've been putting into this."

-- Stephanie Lysaght

(Photo courtesy Fox)

Comments

[Patricia]

I love David Archueta. I wanted him to win sooooooo much!!!

I think he's hot!!!!! Anyway, Archie if your reading this than I just can't wait for your album to come out!! I'll buy all of the copies,I swear!!!! I love you SO MUCH!!! Your my everything!!

Ciao, I love you!!!

New York

[lena]

those guys did such amazing job, I taped fial perfomance and I'm watching it every day. I'm looking forward to David's Cook CD, he is great!.
thank you

[tracy]

david cook impresses me at every possible opportunity. he's an incredibly special guy. archuleta is undeniably talented, and a very cute kid, but america absolutely got it right.

[Tara Goodall]

i really loved david a. and of course i was constantly battling it out with my teenage daughters over the deserving winner of american idol, but.... yes! i went screaming through the house when david cook won! i have been an avid american idol viewer since the beginning and i have never been so passionate about a contestant. it wasn't just his voice. he's an amazing musician and his arrangements literally made me cry every time. he definately has the it factor. i've had to explain to my teenage daughters that when they are older and have a better apreciation for brilliance in music, they will understand why david cook won. i think i voted on the finale night like 50 times. pathetic for a 37 year old mom on a school night but there was no way in he.. i was going to let simon cowell swing the vote. and his stupid apology on the finale really bothered me. he could have devastated this mans career for announcing david a. as the winner. he was great but the right man won. i've heard that people stayed up voting for david cook all night. some people voted 400 times i heard. this was david cook's fans way of making sure our boy took the title!!!! i am so happy for him. when his album comes out i will be the first in line. or maybe i'll send my daughters as a lesson in not to argue with me over great music!!!

[Maria]

I just love the comments well David Cook is articulate and David Archuleta is only a kid And what a young man he is. He might be only 17 years old, but the kindness and maturity needless to say the incredible talent he has is not your "typical" 17 year old. That is what makes him so special. Let's not get too carried away. Let's present some facts. Cook is almost 10 years older than him, had been part of many bands prior to joining AI (not your typical bartender who just got on stage and became famous) give me a break. He has serveral CD's out already, Archuleta does not. He was only part of a star search competiion when he was 10 that does not count. So yes, your un typical 17 year Archuleta has a better voice, almost beat the "experienced rocker" and can still stand beside him and get on an equal intelligence level. I say that is a WOW talent, not your typical neighborhood kid. I think they both deserved to win, both amazing talent different styles. Archuleta does not appeal only to teens but a wider audience. Cook appeals to your rockers. Both extremley talented, but not better than the other, so don't get ahead of yourselves here. I am so happy for Archuleta is no longer part of the control freaks at American Idol. He can have many more options with his music than Cook will have. I hope Simon Cowell and these producers who pimped him for months for extra votes, because they wanted to add a rocker to the list, know how to market him and he becomes very successful with the types of songs he wants to do. After all, Taylor Hicks was more mature, entertaining and different, and a winner. And did not do well at all as an artist. Congratulations to both of them, both worked very hard to be where they are. But Archuleta has a huge and better future with that incredible voice of his.

[Courtney]

These are both very talented young men, but the truth is that David Cook is so much more developed in every way. In terms of vocal ability, I tend to think that if David A chooses, he will have a fabulous career in music. I love his voice and earlier in the competition, was certain he would win based on that alone - I did not believe that AI audiences would accept the gritty, sexy interpretations of David C. I also don't think the criticism of David A's father is fair. After all, the kid is only 17!! His father SHOULD be taking an active interest in what's going on with him.

I confess that I have not watched this show since Melinda Dolittle was prematurely (IMHO) terminated. But many of this years contenders seemed more in line with my musical taste and had great appeal. I loved Michael Johns, Carly Smithson, and Jason Castro, though I did not seriously see them as anywhere near as gifted or developed as either of the Davids. But after David C sang "Hello", it was pretty clear that he was in a league of his own - I was hooked. (I guess you could say he had me from "Hello"!). I'm sure just having him in the competition raised the bar considerably.

As a viewer who couldn't vote (I live in Canada), I was thrilled when David C was announced as winner, though David A should certainly not consider himself a loser and will absolutely not be forgotten. To both AI Davids - we love you (in a good way!) And don't worry, I've already bought your i-tunes and am looking forward to buying your future recordings.

[Denise Thornton]

Do you think Simon's comments that David A was a winner may have been reverse psychology??

[Julie Amedio]

I wish both David's the best. This season of AI has been a blast to follow! When it came down to it I definitely hoped for a David finale and thankfully that is just what happened. I just know that both will be very successful in all their future endeavors.

[binday]

am a huge fan of david cook. thought he is very talented and respectful and sincere. love his voice and style. would be great to see him sharing stage with another great AI talent - daughtry! hope their music will have a staying power. something that can be remembered 10 years or so down the track. cheers david and all the best on your career. luvs from your No. 1 fan in New Zealand.

[love archuleta]

those of you who say that "america got it right", well u guys are WRONG!
unfotunately,it didnt!!!

david cook didnt deserve to win on the night, it was archuleta WHO WAS the WINNER and if it wouldnt have been the sympathy votes caused due to gigantic tears of cook, nobody would have voted 4 him!!!!!
THIS IS SOO WRONG!!!
this was ARCHULETA's DREAM whereas cook was a "mere co-incidence", confessing himself that "he never was willing to audition"...and then YOU GUYS COMPARE "some-what" professional SINGER (COOK) TO 17 YEAR OLD ARCHULETA who worked harder than cook to make it till here, fighting with vocal paralysis and WHAT DOES HE GET IN RETURN???

NOTHING!

You should be ashamed of yourself "Tara Goodall" (poster)!!!
you are so biased about not an ordinary teenage boy but a HIGHLY talented and ENORMOUSLY HUMBLE and HARD WORKING 17 year old..............who values people and has such strong morals!!!!!

WE DIDNT HAVE A HAPPY ENDING AT ALL!!!!

[Lukas]

I still don't understand the lopsided-ness of the judging on Tuesday, especially since Cook is the more marketable of the two and as Randy pointed out, the contestant who was most ready to cut a record. They both deserved to win, but Cook gives the Idol franchise its first "official" rocker and that really raises the legitimacy of the show. You gotta love the kid, though. He sang his heart out. His version of Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me should go down as one of the great Idol performances ever. With the right producer and team, he should do fine. I'll buy CDs from both Davids!

[Kristen]

The problem with American Idol is that it is too much of a "popularity contest" or a "personality contest." As much as American Idol would like to think of itself as an authentic "singing competition," that it is not. First and foremost, it's a TV show. If it were a true "singing competition," voice teachers and people who have actually studied singing would be judging and voting for the contestants. From a technical standpoint, David Archuleta has a much better singing technique than Cook. I've taken singing classes, so I know a thing or two about singing. You may not like his style, you may not like the type of songs he sang, but you can't say he isn't a really good singer. David Cook is good at what he does, but his actual vocal ability is just OK. Don't get me wrong--I love "rockers"--they can be incredibly charismatic and charming. But the truth is that most rockers are not great vocalists. Most rock bands don't require great vocalists.

As for me, I'm done with American Idol. That show has disappointed me too many times. I will always think Archuleta should have won.

[Marie]

yes, I do think this was Simon's reverse psychology plan! Wasn't he on Ellen saying that he hoped David C would win? (didn't see it but heard)

[Unprecedented]

It was clearly, I believe, a manipulation. This winning by David Cook is a top convoluted orchestration by the American Idol’s management to have a rocker win this year, for a change. Whether the rocker is worthy or not, which I believe it was the later, David Cook had to be declared the winner. Yes, Simon had been promoting in all tv talk shows that David Cook was going to win, and it would be a shame on his part if Cook did not. Simon is Simon. He had to be right even if he was wrong. And no matter what the people will say, AI had to do something, up to the extent of rigging the votes, cheating per se. At the beginning of the final show, Ryan Seacrest announced the 90+ million votes and the ratio between the winner and the loser. So, they already knew at the very start of the final show the result and yet at the end of the show when it was time to reveal who won, an independent auditor came, brought a sealed envelope, what a hoax, an insult to the integrity of the viewers. Who knows, the telephone lines for David Cook remained open longer that David Archuleta's! Who knows, the said 12 million differential was a made-up numbers, not real. Anything is possible. My feeling suggests strongly that it was so. Just so AI plans all along since the beginning of the season to crown a rocker will become a reality. I believe it was all orchestrated and AI did it so wisely. When the news about Jeff Archuleta came out that he was no longer allowed to join at the backstage, there were so many nasty articles that came out bashing and maligning the guy. And the origin of the news exactly came from an AI staff, which anonymously squealed it. How come AI management did not even reprimand that staff for spreading the gossip, which was exactly against their policy. AI management has the moral responsibility to the people, they could have apologized to the people for the action of their very own staff doing the talking, while contestants and their guardians were forbidden to. But no, AI management did not even apologized, nor announced they were handling the matter internally with the staff. They did not do anything. Cleary, that was part of AI plans to put down negatively the Archuletas which will have an upside positive effect to Cook. That was all planned, people. AI can be deceitful as they can and hook or by crook will do anything and everything just so their plans will at the end materialize. Poor David Archuleta, he was defeated by fraud.

[Jean Ann]

I am crazy about David Cook! He is the reason I watched AI this season. 'Hello' was the song that got it all started for me. I love his voice and can't believe how talented he is. I do believe America got it right. I was so upset with Simon's comments that I voted 50 or 60 times. My husband made fun of me... and when I cried with DC at the end of the show, he made fun of me.

I think Simon was using reverse psychology by building DA up more. He knew DA fans would vote more than DC fans, so he drove DC fans to the phone. I heard he had been on talk shows saying that Cook would win. I also saw the wink he gave DC.

I can't wait to buy David Cook's CD!!!!

[cluephone]

Archuletta has the singer's voice; Cook has the wrongheaded Cougars all twitching in their capri pants. It's a singing competition - and don't tell me about the romantic "Idol" crapola. That's just a marketing device.

Cowell knows you got it wrong. The show is a vehicle for real singers to be acknowledged, not your next hot flash fantasy.

[TEXAS FLAMINGO]

While David Cook is talented and can certainly ROCK and come up with fly beats, David Archuletta is soooooooooo talented and is not by far the LOSER of anything. It was certainly a hard decision and Im not saying America got it right but they didnt get it wrong either. This was a WIN-WIN situation for all of us because no matter the vote count, both of these guys will have AMAZING careers and I cant wait till both of their albums come out...oh and Clyde Davis, if you reading this, I know you promised a contract to David Cook (and he deserves it) You must consider giving one to David Archuletta as a wise business decision because he is going to make some company Millions because we love him too and will buy his sooooo heart felt lyrics anytime. Good luck boys!!!!

[Mary]

I think it is quite possible that Simon pumped up David A and put down David C to ensure that Cook's fans would be highly motivated to vote and Archuletta's might be lulled into complacency. Cowell had said weeks earlier that he personally like David Cook better than David A.

This is the first year I have watched this show and it is the last. American Idol lacks integrity (as does Fox). The young contestants were the true shining spirits of the show. I loved all of them for getting out there and giving themselves so generously. Both of the Davids are remarkable young men of character. They were both a joy. Did anyone else remark to themselves how these two beautiful spirits carried a whole different consciousness than the the old "me against you" mentality that the producers demonstrated in trying to cast the contest as a fight. It was delightful how flat that fell because the Davids were doing something entirely different. Neither was in a competition in any way except to give the best they had. Neither seemed focused on "winning" in the sense of besting the other. Simn's remark about having to hate your enemy to win was amusing and incongrous in terms of those two.

[tina]

i think america has got it right ,,,David Cook is a deserving winner ,,and David A has an amzing voice with a gifted talent ...both are simly awesome in their own ways ...congrtulations!!!!! cant wait for their albums to be released ...

[Kelly Marie]

First of all I am happy for David Cook. Your Awesome. Though I still wanted David Archuleta to win. Cause he has a great voice. But then again both Davids have great voices. David Cook and David Archuleta I can't wait til your albums come out. So good luck with your albums!