Reprinted with permission from Out NW. Find the original published article at https://outnw.flowpaper.com/Vol2Issue8August2025/#page=21
In 2008, American Idol became a battleground of three Davids. One, David Hernandez, was voted off too soon, leaving fans in shock. But the real drama unfolded in the finale, where the “other Davids” — edgy rocker David Cook and the sweet, boyish David Archuleta — went head-to-head. It was a nail-biting showdown, with Cook ultimately taking the crown. But for Archuleta, that moment was only the beginning of a much deeper and more personal journey.
Years later, Archuleta is no longer just the charming, devout Mormon teen idol who captured America’s heart. Today, he is an artist who has fully embraced his Queer identity, transforming into an icon for those who’ve had to fight for their right to be seen and heard.
Now, with his upcoming EP Earthly Delights set for release on August 15, and a national tour on the horizon, Archuleta is ready to introduce the world to a new chapter of his artistry — one that’s far more open, vulnerable, and unafraid to explore the complexities of love, sensuality, and self-discovery.
Archuleta’s transformation is one of reinvention. When he talks about his new tour, there’s an excitement in his voice that reflects the creative leap he’s made.
“It’s going to be more intimate,” he explained. “But I’m also putting more effort into the production — choreography, dancers, lighting, all things I didn’t worry much about before. I’ve been inspired by underground raves, small warehouse shows. Those kinds of environments have this raw, electric energy, and I want to bring that feeling to my concerts, while still keeping it a vocalist-led show at heart.”
For Archuleta, his latest work isn’t just about making music — it’s about being music, feeling it in your soul, and sharing that with his fans in a way that allows for connection and freedom. Earthly Delights, the EP that’s poised to shift the narrative around him, is a celebration of vulnerability.
“It’s about being real,” he said, a smile creeping into his voice. “Allowing myself to explore vulnerability, sensuality, love, even heartbreak. I used to keep things super G-rated, but now I’m writing about love from the lens of being a Queer person. And that means showing tenderness, desire, flirtation.”
He points to two songs, “Dulce Amor” and “Home,” as examples of this new honesty in his writing. “‘Dulce Amor’ is about what it feels like to love someone fully and honestly for the first time,” he explains. “And ‘Home’ is about finally understanding what it feels like to love someone and feel safe with them.”
But even in this newfound space of emotional freedom, Archuleta acknowledges that vulnerability isn’t always easy. “They’re all vulnerable in different ways,” he admitted when asked which track on Earthly Delights feels the most exposing. “‘Dulce Amor’ is super sweet, almost to the point of being cringe-y, but it’s honest. ‘Home’ is about what it feels like to love someone and feel safe with them. Then there’s ‘Give You the World,’ which touches on how scary it is to stay open in love. Just because you come out doesn’t mean all your emotional walls come down overnight.”
In the music video for his track “Crème Brûlée,” Archuleta fully embraces this new side of himself. It’s playful, flirty, and bold — a far cry from the wholesome, somewhat reserved image he once cultivated.
“It’s David 2.0,” he said proudly, reflecting on the moment. “The choreography and production from JAW Collective were incredible. It felt like a real turning point, a stepping into this new version of myself as an artist.”
For Archuleta, embracing his Honduran and Latin heritage has also been a part of his evolution. “I’ve been waiting to bring more of that into my work for so long,” he said, his voice laced with excitement. “I’ve done a few things in Spanish, but now I feel like I’m really owning it. I’ve recorded Spanish versions of some of the songs, and I even write in Spanglish. It’s natural for me — I speak that way with my family, and now it’s becoming a huge part of my artist identity.”
But the road to this point has not been without its challenges. When Archuleta came out, many of his conservative and Mormon fans felt alienated.
“I lost a lot of them,” he admitted, his tone softening. “But the LGBTQ+ community really stepped up and embraced me. That support means the world. Some Mormon and conservative fans still come to shows, and I’m grateful for that. But I’ve had to build a new community, and it’s been such a beautiful thing.”
This shift in his fanbase hasn’t just been about his sexuality — it’s also about his personal evolution. “I’ve described myself as a raver,” Archuleta said with a chuckle, sharing a side of himself people might not expect. “I grew up sheltered, and everything was about rules and structure. But raves are the opposite — they’re freeing, expressive, vibrant. I want to create that same energy at my shows. Even if it’s not a literal rave, I want people to feel like they’re in a space where they can let loose, be themselves, and just vibe.”
Looking back, Archuleta knows that part of his growth has come from confronting deep emotional and psychological challenges — ones he’s been working through with therapy. “Therapy has been through different phases for me,” he explained thoughtfully. “It’s kind of like the Panama Canal — where the locks fill up with water so a ship can rise to the next level. That’s how therapy feels — it’s like I fill myself up to a certain point, and then I move forward. Then, it’s time to fill up again and go to the next level.
Partnering with BetterHelp, he’s become a passionate advocate for mental health, sharing his own experience with therapy to help others. “When I first started, I was afraid to open up, but I found a therapist who truly understood me, someone who had been through similar experiences. It was fast, simple, and incredibly helpful.”
As Archuleta talked about his future — his upcoming memoir, his tour, his growth as an artist — one thing was clear: he is embracing the fullness of who he is. “Queer” is the word he uses to describe his identity, but it’s so much more than a label. “Queer allows for fluidity and space,” he said. “I’m mostly into guys, but I don’t want to box myself in. There’s strength in the rebellion of it. It’s colorful, complex — it’s about simply being who I am.”
With Earthly Delights and a national tour on the horizon, David Archuleta is taking ownership of his story, and inviting his fans to join him on this exhilarating new journey of self-expression, vulnerability, and music. His evolution is far from over, but one thing is certain: He is stepping fully into who he was always meant to be.
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