 David James Archuleta ( born December 28 , 1990 ) is an American singer @-@ songwriter , musician , and actor . At ten years old , he won the children 's division of the Utah Talent Competition leading to other television singing appearances . When he was twelve years old , Archuleta became the Junior Vocal Champion on Star Search 2 . In 2007 , at sixteen years old , he became one of the youngest contestants on the seventh season of American Idol . In May 2008 he finished as the runner @-@ up , receiving 44 percent of over 97 million votes . 
