After apparently being passed on by 19 Management, David Archuleta has signed a management contract with Azoff Management.

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The American Idol seventh-season runner-up will be co-managed by Azoff's Jared Paul -- who also currently works with Nick Lachey and The New Kids on the Block, among others -- as well as Jeff Archuleta, his controversial father who managed him in his pre-Idol days, Entertainment Weekly reported Tuesday evening.

Azoff Management also counts The Eagles, Christina Aguilera, Neil Diamond, and Morrissey among its musical clients, according to EW.

While American Idol's participation contract gives 19 Management (the management arm of 19 Entertainment, which produces the show along with FremantleMedia North America) an option to sign former American Idol finalists, Archuleta isn't the first Idol runner-up the firm has passed on.

In addition to Archuleta, 19 Management has previously passed on former American Idol runner-ups Diana Degarmo, Bo Bice, and Katharine McPhee.  The firm did opt to initially sign runner-ups Justin Guarini, Clay Aiken and Blake Lewis, however it no longer manages any of them.

Despite signing with Azoff, Archuleta is still signed with 19 Recordings (19 Entertainment's record label), according to EW. The label is currently overseeing the production of Archuleta's first album, which will drop November 11.
About The Author: John Bracchitta
John Bracchitta is an entertainment reporter for Reality TV World and covers the reality TV genre.