David Archuleta Memoir to Address ‘American Idol,’ Mormon Faith & Sexuality
Nearly 16 years after he shot to national fame following a runner-up finish on season 7 of American Idol, Billboard chart-topping pop singer-songwriter David Archuleta is finally telling his story on his own terms.
On Thursday (Jan. 11), The Hollywood Reporter reported that the singer signed a book deal with Day Street Books, an imprint of HarperCollins. The yet-untitled memoir is set to survey Archuleta’s youth as a devout Mormon, his whirlwind ride to fame as a teenager, his decision to put his career on pause to complete a mission trip to Chile, and his monumental coming-out journey during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“Through encouragement from friends, I’ve decided it’s important to share my story,” the “A Little Too Not Over You” singer told THR. “I hope it will help others understand the struggles those in the LGBTQ+ community have coming out in religious communities, provide light to anyone navigating difficult family dynamics or faith transitions, and encourage everyone to give more room to love yourself.”
His decision to come out as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community made national headlines back in 2021. “I think we can do better as people of faith and Christians, including Latter-Day Saints, to listen more to the wrestle between being LGBTQIA+ and a person of faith. … I don’t think it should come down to feeling you have to accept one or the other,” Archuleta wrote in an emotional open letter. “For me to find peace the reality has been to accept both are real things I experience and make who I am… You can be part of the LGBTQIA+ community and still believe in God and His gospel plan.”
Archuleta previously published a children’s book titled My Little Prayer back in 2021. The year prior, he released his eighth and most recent studio album, Therapy Sessions, which reached No. 60 on Top Current Albums. Archuleta has placed five of his eight solo-billed studio albums on the Billboard 200, including his 2008 self-titled debut, which housed the Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 single “Crush,” which hit No. 1 on Digital Song Sales. Recently, the six-time Teen Choice Awards winner finished in second place as Macaw on season 9 of The Masked Singer.
Kyle-Brandon Denis
Billboard
