'Idol' runner-up Archuleta to start Mormon mission

[March 29, 2012]  SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- "American Idol" runner-up David Archuleta has posted a farewell YouTube video to fans as he prepares for a two-year Mormon mission in South America.

The 21-year-old singer says in a video blog posted Wednesday that his contact with fans will be limited while he's in the undisclosed country.

KSL reports he entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Wednesday as a precursor to the assignment.

Archuleta competed on the seventh season of "American Idol" and has since released three albums. He announced at a December concert that he'd be going on a mission, like many young men in the church.

He says in his video that he's "trying to focus on something else" besides his career, and looks forward to spending more "one-on-one time with my Heavenly Father."

[Associated Press]

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