David Archuleta was poised to venture beyond the realm of mere music. After securing the runner-up spot on the seventh season of American Idol in 2008 with his hit "Crush," his career skyrocketed. However, in 2012, despite being at the pinnacle of his fame, David made a bold decision to step away from the spotlight and the microphone.
On August 15th, following the release of his latest EP, Earthly Delights, David is now gearing up to share the intimate details of "his journey growing up in his insulated Mormon bubble in Utah" in his upcoming book, Devout, set to hit shelves on February 17th. In an exclusive interview with E! News, aired on August 20th, he opened up about his experiences.
Reflecting on his past, David painted a picture of himself as "a naive and innocent youngster who was thrust into national fame through American Idol at its zenith, watched by millions of eager eyes." He recounted, "They had invested in me, eagerly anticipating my next move, but I was clueless about navigating the overwhelming pressure and attention."
Amidst the whirlwind of his newfound celebrity, David sought solace in a familiar sanctuary—his church. "I embarked on a two-year Mormon missionary sabbatical," the 34-year-old confessed. "Upon returning, I pondered, 'Do I still yearn for music?'"
He admitted that prior to his missionary journey, he had "never taken the time to contemplate who I truly wanted to be, what I aspired to become, or the image I wanted to cultivate."
David, who completed his missionary work in Chile, embarked on a personal journey of self-discovery, including exploring his sexuality, which led to a transformation in his relationship with the church. "Devout chronicles my upbringing as an extremely religious individual, devoted to my beliefs and the persona I believed I ought to embody," he shared with E!. "It delves into my coming to terms with my sexuality and reconciling my own beliefs, rather than adhering blindly to others' doctrines."
Much like his forthcoming memoir, Devout, David, who publicly came out as queer in 2021, has always drawn inspiration from his personal life. This is evident in his latest single, "Dulce Amor," released on August 12th. While infusing it with his "Latin flair," he emphasized that it presented a "gentler approach" to love compared to his previous song, "Creme Brulee." He quipped, "This is my lover boy phase. I'm a romantic at heart."
Now, David is preparing to embark on a tour, reclaiming his musical throne with renewed vigor.
