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EXCLUSIVE: David Archuleta Says He’ll Spend his First New Year’s Eve Away from his Family

David Archuleta is all grown up. During season 7 of American Idol he may have been one of the youngest contestants ever to compete, but the pop star just turned 20 on Tuesday. And to top things off, on December 31st, when he performs alongside Travie McCoy for FOX’s New Year’s Eve Live at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, he’ll be spending his first New Year’s Eve away from his family.

“They’ll be back home celebrating with each other,” says Archuleta when asked if he would be joined by his family at the Mandalay Bay on NYE. “Last year I was with my aunt and cousins, so I guess it was still family. So yeah, this will be the first time [away],” he explains.

The singer admits it’s not easy being away from your loved ones during the holidays, but adds that it’s something he’s had to get used to in his career. “I love being with family,” he says. “Especially now with all the traveling and stuff, you’re not at home as much, so you don’t get to see them all that often. I try to make an effort to see them as much as I can.”

This will not, however, be Archie’s first time in Vegas. “Actually, I have been there a lot,” he says. “Because we would go to Las Vegas as a family for vacation and I also have family in Las Vegas too.”

The live special, which will be broadcasting from the famous Times Square ball drop in New York City, and the Mandalay Bay, will air on FOX and is being hosted by Nancy O’Dell. Archuleta says he’s not sure which songs he’ll be performing for the show.

“I tend to change my mind,” he says with a laugh. “But I’ll be performing a couple of songs from my new album, The Other Side of Down. I plan to sing a song called, ‘Elevator.’ They asked me to keep it uptempo, so I’m just going to do it in a ‘David’ way.”