American Idol sensation David Archuleta has signed to 19 Recordings/Jive Records and is expected to release his debut album later this year.

“Signing a record contract with 19 Recordings/Jive Records is truly a dream come true,” states Archuleta. “Being a fan of American Idol since season one and admiring the alumni, I am honored and humbled to be a part of that group. I’m really excited to start working on everything.”

Simon Fuller, creator of the popular TV series and chief executive and founder of 19 Entertainment Label Group, adds, “It was fascinating to watch David’s journey through Idol. He is a genuine pop star, and is a gifted singer who instantly won over a huge audience when he first appeared on the show. Since then, he has dealt with the pressure and the high level of expectation with real fortitude; he’s given us some of the best performances of the season. Without question David Archuleta has a great future ahead of him”.

Tom Carrabba, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Jive/Zomba Label Group comments, “David Archuleta has already shown the world that he is a star. He’s a young, talented singer with wide appeal and we’re thrilled to have him join our roster.”

Archuleta, 17, was the runner-up on the current season of Idol and is currently gearing up for the upcoming Idol tour, which kicks off on July 1st in Glendale, AZ.

American Idol winner David Cook and runner-up David Archuleta make an appearance on NBC’s Today Show at Rockefeller plaza on Thursday in New York City.

“As far as people thinking I’m pretty or something,” Cook said, addressing his ‘cougar’ fans. “I don’t know. It’s amazing what a haircut and forgetting to shave will do.”

Watch the Davids’ interviews here. Archuleta can be found singing “Think Of Me” here. And watch Cook’s performance below!

Earlier this week, Cook visited a Los Angeles hospital to visit fellow Top 24 contestant Luke Menard, who was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“I love Luke and I just wanted to show up and make sure that he understood that I love him and know that if there’s anything I can do for him and his wife, sign me up, you know?” Cook tells People. “Luke, Michael Johns, Jason Yeager and myself, we kind of buddied up one day at Hollywood week. We called ourselves the four horsemen. Any time one of your own is going through something as horrible as that, it makes everything else seem a little bit insignificant.

45+ pictures inside David Cook at The Today Show… More Here! »

Season seven American Idol champion David Cook has been signed to Simon Fuller’s 19 Recordings / RCA Records and is preparing to start recording his debut album, which is due for release in fall 2008.

“David Cook is an extraordinarily versatile and talented artist with an impressive sense of musicality,” says Tom Corson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, RCA Music Group. “He is a natural performer and a true star. We are thrilled to welcome him into our family.”

Cook, 25, will be recording his album over the summer while on the road with the American Idol’s Live tour. The tour kicks off on July 1st in Glendale, AZ and wraps on September 13th in Tulsa, OK.

“I am extremely happy to be signed by 19 Recordings / RCA Records. Signing this deal is truly a dream come true. I am looking forward to the recording process and creating a record. The support I have received from America has been overwhelming and I can’t wait to hopefully do right by them,” says Cook.

Cook is also set to set a record “for debut entries on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Digital Songs tomorrow as 11 titles enter the former, while 14 songs jump on the download tally. The onslaught is led by a No. 3 Hot 100 start for his original recording ‘The Time of My Life,’ which shifts 236,000 downloads to easily take the No. 1 spot on Hot Digital Songs.”

14!!! Hot diggity dog!!!

The newly crowned Idol winner David Cook and runner-up David Archuleta make an appearance at MTV studios in Times Square, New York City on Tuesday after an appearance on TRL to promote the upcoming American Idol Tour. (Their segment will air on Thursday.)

Earlier today on Live With Regis and Kelly, Cook, 25, admitted he recently had a dinner date with former Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell. Watch the video at TMZ.

When asked if he had a good time on his date at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Cook replied: “I did. We’ll probably hang out again. So we’ll see.”

It’s an Idol romance!!

Caldwell, 26, appeared on the second season of Idol and met Cook through the show. More Here! »

American Idol winner David Cook and runner-up David Archuleta arrive at a New York City airport and head over to their Big Apple hotel on Monday, Memorial Day.

Cook, 25, recently shared about his upcoming album: “It’ll probably be a rock record. I just want to make a record that’s going to make the hair on your neck stand up. Even if it doesn’t do well commercially, as long as I can put out a record I am proud of, that’s the goal right now. And hopefully the success will follow.”

And here are three more appearances Cook will be making in this week: Live with Regis & Kelly (Tuesday, May 27), The Ellen DeGeneres Show (Wednesday, May 28) and The Today Show (Thursday, May 29).

10+ pictures inside of the American Idol Davids… More Here! »

Newly crowned American Idol 7 winner David Cook shows the world who’s number 1 in the press room of Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif. on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, David, 25, posed for pictures on the red carpet with Idol judge Paula Abdul, and finalist David Archuleta.

10+ pictures of David Cook - Your New American Idol… More Here! »

Click inside to find out who won the David vs. David throwndown on American Idol 7 after over 97.5 million votes!!

Video links inside… More Here! »

• Idol Grand Finale: It’s the showdown of the Davids!
• Soul singer Joss Stone kissed a girl
• Kristen Bell looks good in running pants
• Kate Moss launches and lunches
• Elizabeth Hurley is looking purple-licious
• Diddy’s clothing line is like “fashion viagra“
• Lou Pearlman has been sentence to 25 years behind bars
• Joaquin Phoenix has the flu
• Jessica Alba does a snake charmer dance
• Microsoft CEO gets egged during speech in Budapest
• The legacy of Grey Gardens is coming to light.
• Matthew McConaughey won’t take his shirt off for America
• Denise Richards denies asking for Charlie Sheen’s sperm
• Commencement MC Showdown
• Sharon Stone is not bitter
• Christian Bale is to play rebel leader John Connor in three sequels to the Terminator franchise, its producers have revealed.
• Possibly pregnant Beyonce has been staying away from booze. The newlywed only drank water at Kanye West’s party at 1Oak last week, according to a Post spy.
• While Britney Spears gets a weekly allowance of $1,500, her dad earns $2,500 a week as her conservator. In addition to the approximately $10,000 monthly salary, Papa Spears also gets to lease a car on the pop star’s dime, according to court papers unsealed yesterday.
• Regis Philbin will host Million Dollar Password, an updated version of the classic Allen Ludlow-hosted game show premiering Sunday June 1 on CBS.