Nigel Lythgoe Speaks Out on Jeff Archuleta Ban

The American Idol producer, Nigel Lythgoe, who "banned" Jeff Archuleta from being backstage with his son David Archuleta is telling his side of the story. Nigel said:

"Banished is a terrible word, isn’t it? It sounds like we’re in some far-off kingdom. He has been asked not to participate in the choice of music with David or be in the room when David is working out his routines that he wants to sing. He’s fine to be in the studio, nothing wrong with that. We just want David to be able to be free like everybody else to get on and do what they want to do."

When asked about the lyric change Jeff made that allegedly cost Idol a lot of money in copyright fees Nigel said:

"There was a lyric change that happened that was a total misunderstanding. Just another, um, step along the way of us saying, "Okay, this is what we want to happen from now on."

Nigel also addressed concern that David was getting better guidance from his father Jeff than the rest of the contestants:

"No, no, no. It has nothing to do with fairness. We just want everyone to have an equal opportunity, and if that’s fairness, fine. But this is more of just the fact of let’s take some pressure away here, you know? It’s like anybody appearing in front of their mom and dad. Let’s just open up the pressure cooker, release the pressure, and you just get on and do what you gotta do."

Nigel also addressed rumors that Jeff was a pushy "stage dad," saying:

"What is a stage dad, or a stage mom? It’s someone who’s protective. That’s all."

David’s vocal coach, Dean Kaelin, also responded to the "stage dad" rumors defending Jeff by saying:

"David’s dad is just a caring, concerned parent that fortunately has some musical expertise, and some people fear that because of this David receives an unfair advantage."

Tonight Jeff was in the audience, and was very friendly with Randy and Paula. While some stage dads and moms in the past have pushed their kids until their success destroyed them, Jeff seems to just be trying to help David win, so he can have a chance in Hollywood. That’s something most parents would do for their kids if they had the same opportunity.