American Idol is unique in the sense that viewers are the ones who get to decide who wins and who loses. In most countries, it’s more of a popularity contest. In the US, however, there’s this “state support” — ya know, the state from where the contestant came from supports their own =) And in the case of David Archuleta, it’s Utah! According to one columnist from Utah,

In David Archuleta, we have a Utah “American Idol” contestant who I bet money will make the final 12. He’s a whole-package crooner more vocally attractive than Utah’s season-two contestant Carmen Rasmusen ever was during her run (and whose vibrato is still ringing my ears).

But this pint-sized 17-year-old from Murray, who is now among the 24 semifinalists, has the tools and the talent. He appears to be a charming kid, self-effacing but confident, with a voice that has power and control. He’s also got the looks that will make every teen girl get teary-eyed. As his vocal coach, Dean Kaelin told me, David Archuleta goes straight for that “High School Musical” crowd.