David Archuleta is opening up like never before! The former 'American Idol' heartthrob is now 35, and he's giving fans an exclusive look into his life in his very first book, Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself. When Archuleta competed on season 7 of 'American Idol' at just 17, he won over millions of fans. But behind that superstar smile? He was a bundle of nerves!
"I was absolutely terrified on 'Idol,'" Archuleta spilled to Rolling Stone. Back then, he hadn't even admitted to himself that he had feelings for guys — a realization that hit him at just 12 years old. "I knew people around me thought it was 'bad' for boys to like boys," he confessed, revealing that praying was his only outlet. Who knew a kid from Utah would drool over their second-grade crush and then become a role model for countless fans?
Flashback to 2008: a teen David stands shyly on the 'Idol' stage, ultimately claiming the runner-up spot (David Cook took home the win). "People saw me as the quiet, shy boy," he remembered, "but inside, I was just worn out, always scared that if people knew I was queer, I’d be rejected." Despite all that pressure, the show’s producers adored him, seeing Archuleta as a sweet, down-to-earth guy trying to fit in.
While 'American Idol' kept pushing him into the spotlight, Archuleta's fan base exploded, especially with LGBTQ+ viewers who found inspiration in his journey. "After coming out in June 2021, I realized I was a lot of people’s 'gay awakening,'" he revealed. "They saw themselves in me, even when I wasn’t fully out on the show." Hard to believe this self-proclaimed "sheltered Mormon kid" didn't see himself as the trailblazer we all knew he was!
The idea of writing a memoir came soon after he publicly came out — he felt a mission to share his story, especially with his church community. Archuleta reflected on moments post-coming out, like when a fellow church member chased him down to share his own similar struggles: "He was as desperate as I once was. It was a powerful moment," David shared.
Don't miss out! Archuleta's memoir releases on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Ready for his truth bombs and feel-good vibes? Because we're here for it!