Interview from Business Mirror!

David Archuleta puts showbiz hiatus on hold to do TV5 miniseries
THE American Idol Season 7 runner-up is back in the country for the fourth time—and as a Kapatid this time.

Arguably one of the most popular products of the premier singing competition on US TV, David Archuleta is well-loved by Pinoys with enough followers to form several fan clubs that are major players in the most popular social-networking sites—a fact that has not been lost on him. That is why he has the most number of trips here in the country as far as AI winners and runners-up are concerned, save for those with Filipino bloods like Jasmine Trias and Thia Megia.

The 21-year-old native of Utah first visited the Philippines in 2009 for a back-to-back concert with fellow “David” and AI7 winner David Cook. In 2010, he returned to the country to promote his third album The Other Side of Love and late last year, he was back the third time around for a solo concert. For his fourth trip, Archuleta signed up with TV5 to do a miniseries together with the two princesses of the network: Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Eula Caballero. Tentatively titled Nandito Ako, it will also star actresses Aiko Melendez, Gelli de Belen and G Toengi, who is also returning to the country after several years of US residency. Archuleta is scheduled to stay in the country for three weeks. Though it was published that he has just announced a two-year hiatus from his showbiz career to fulfill his duties for his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Archuleta confirmed he rescheduled his leave after finishing his three-week stint in the country for the miniseries.

In a special one-on-one interview granted by Archuleta courtesy of TV5, we researched several questions from his fans in Twitter for David to answer.

You never acted even in the States, why accept this TV5 offer?
Well, to be honest, I am never comfortable in being an actor so I never pursued this but I like TV5’s offer. The character I will be playing, his name is Josh, is very similar to me. I can easily relate to the character and it’s quite close to my heart, so I accepted.

But why try Philippine showbiz first?
You see, every time I come to the Philippines, I feel the warmth of the people and how they accept me here, so I think it would be easier for me to try acting here. I will play a character with a Filipina mother, so a mixed race. I’m mixed myself as I have Latin blood.

Which came first, your decision to take a showbiz hiatus or the offer of TV5?
I had already announced my two-year vacation and then TV5’s offer came. It fits my schedule and it will work around my plans, so I accepted it.

Did you need to ask any permission from your church before you accepted this, as you had already announced your hiatus?
No permission was needed. I just told them that I will finish this first and then I will take my break.

Have you seen the musical play Book of Mormons in Broadway?
No, I haven’t. Have you? (We answered yes adding that it was outrageous, and he giggled, a trademark that endeared him to his million of followers). Well, they said it was fun but, no, I haven’t seen it.

Will you be actively supporting US presidential candidate Mitt Romney who is a fellow Mormon like you?
Well, because of my schedule, I have only been reading what was written in the papers. I find Mitt very respectable and his views are sensible so I would love to meet him personally. If he ask for my support, why not?

Other than Charice Pempengco who is a friend of yours, do you know any other Filipino singers?
Ever since I started singing and even before I joined AI, I always have a huge admiration for Regine Velasquez. I’ve seen her perform but then she’s working for another network here so....

Last question: does David cook?
Yeah.

Business Mirror