DAVID ARCHULETA’S MUSICAL MANIFESTO ON FAITH AND FREEDOM

BY IRVIN RIVERA

PHOTOGRAPHER: IRVIN RIVERA, FASHION DIRECTOR: ANDREW PHILIP NGUYEN, GROOMING: JOSEPH ADIVARI, PHOTO ASST: JESSE ZAPATERO

Singer, songwriter, artist David Archuleta, a nominee for GLAAD Media and Queerty Awards for his single "Afraid To Love" opened up to A BOOK OF about his his evolving sound, recent achievements like performing at the Rose Parade and unveiling George Michael's Star Dedication, and the inspiration behind his latest hit.

Delving into his journey from a faith crisis to self-discovery, David shares insights on mental health, identity, and overcoming challenges. As he looks forward to collaborations, touring, and the joy of creating, David's compelling message revolves around self-love, resilience, and embracing life's highs and lows. Join us for a candid encounter with David Archuleta, where personal revelations and musical evolution intertwine, offering a glimpse into the authentic story of a remarkable artist.

David! How are you? What’s been keeping you busy nowadays?

Irvin!! I’ve been good, thanks. I've been doing a lot of songwriting. And have also been working on writing a book which I’m very excited about- developing my sound and also who I am going to be as an artist. It almost feels like being a new person.

What are you excited for in 2024 and beyond?

I just signed with a new management team and am excited to continue to build the team out with a music publisher and label down the road possibly. I'm looking to collaborate with incredible songwriters and producers to develop my sound in this next chapter of my music career. I can’t wait to create a new live show after that and tour & perform. There's so much to look forward to and I feel like the sky is the limit! I’ve never felt that feeling before and it’s an exciting space to be in and explore.

Jumpsuit: OAK AND ACORN, Turtleneck(worn under): JACK VICTOR, Necklace: MARRIN COSTELLO, Ring: LOUPN, Shoes: DR. MARTENS

You just performed at the 2024, 135th Rose Parade Opening Spectacular. What a magnificent way to start off the new year. What was that experience like for you?

Thank you! It was a lot of fun to be a part of what seems like the biggest New Year’s Day celebration in the US. I love the song, "Chasing Cars" and it was fun to open the parade with it.

You were also chosen to unveil George Michael’s Star Dedication on Project Angel Food’s Path of Angels last fall. What did George Michael mean to you as an artist and a person?

I didn’t realize how much George meant to me as an artist until looking back and remembering how I sang 2 of his versions of songs while on American idol. I was inspired by his "The Long and Winding Road" during Beatles' week and also his version of "Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me" which I sang at the finale. After I came out as queer there was a period where I went back to listen to "Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me" over and over because it took on a whole new meaning. It meant a lot to hear two out artists Sir Elton and George singing this song so earnestly during a time when people weren’t nearly as accepting. I felt like they were singing this plea on behalf of so many of us including me and it really invigorated me.

Your latest single, "Afraid To Love" seems like a celebration of self-acceptance. Can you share more about the inspiration behind the song and the personal journey it represents for you? Talk about the new remix versions by Willy Beaman.

I wanted a song reflecting the fun and joy I felt after many years of releasing songs that reflected the pain and anxiety and confusion I was dealing with. I didn’t want to dwell on that anymore and this was my "moving on" song saying even though I was told I’m not supposed to fall in love with a guy, just screw it I don’t care what they say and I’m not going to be afraid to love anymore. I’m actually going to celebrate it and dance. The remixes by Willy Beaman for it are coming out now because we felt the song could have been a little more dancey and so hopefully the remixed versions can get people on the dance floor. :)

Jumpsuit: OAK AND ACORN, Turtleneck(worn under): JACK VICTOR

Your latest singles, including "I’m Yours" and "Up," showcase a vibrant and upbeat vibe. How has your musical style evolved, and what inspired this shift towards more lively, feel-good music?

I think "Up" was my song where it was time to soar after being in a low place. For "I’m Yours" I wanted to capture the joy of being in love with whoever you want and for me at the time was a guy and how good it feels.

In "Up," you mentioned hitting rock bottom and finding hope. How did you navigate through that challenging period, and what advice do you have for others going through tough times?

It is difficult to see anything when you hit rock bottom. It’s like all the lights go out and so you can’t see anymore. You don’t have motivation either and you want to just give up. That’s the point where you just have to fight because a big part of you doesn’t want to keep going but yet something deep within is dimly glowing and telling you to keep going. It’s not easy to hear but when you do and connect to it and let it guide you and push through, that’s where you start to feel like soaring like a Phoenix and rising above the ashes. That’s what the symbolism was in the song for me. I hope that the song connects with people relating to them in the verse about being low. I want the song to be a way of being a hand reaching to whoever may be down where I was at the time and helping them get up as the song builds so people know they’re not alone in those low and lonely feelings.

Trenchcoat: STILE LATINO, Grey Knit Set: PAS UNE MARQUE

"Faith In Me" is an upbeat '80s-tinged single that reflects the joyful direction you're heading in. How does this song capture the essence of your personal and musical journey?

I really love this song! I went back to rewrite it because I originally wrote it before I came out of the closet. We revisited it with the feelings I was now getting to experience being able to love someone of any sex/gender and dating a guy for the first time. I wrote it with my friends Nate Dodge from Nashville and Michael Campbell from Scotland who I’ve actually never met in person. We met on a karaoke app called Smule and would sing together there and found out he was a songwriter. It was nice to feel support from my friends on both sides of before coming out and after and for them to help me capture the excitement of it in a song was really fun!

"Crush" became a massive hit, but you mentioned not fully connecting with it until last year. Can you elaborate on the moment when the song's meaning truly resonated with you?

Well, I’d tell people for years that fans would tell me their stories behind the song and how they used it to tell their crushes or bf/gf/spouses how they felt. But I had never really experienced that feeling myself. I don’t think I allowed myself to love others because I felt I had to hate and despise my attraction to guys which caused me to hate and despise myself. Once I embraced that part of me and loved me, I felt I was able to give love to others for the first time in a way that I wasn’t guarding and afraid and could genuinely connect with others. After that happened and I entered into relationships starting in the latter half of 2021 I was like “oh, NOW I get what everyone was talking about and I get this song!”

Having recently come out as queer, how has this revelation influenced your music and the way you approach your creative process?

I think every song I’ve released since coming out has been about my journey as a queer person and the learning of self-acceptance and self-love of something I was told never to do. I can’t wait to release a whole album and show the full scale and depth of that journey.

Trenchcoat: STILE LATINO, Grey Knit Set: PAS UNE MARQUE, Rings: RATBETTY, Boots: NO NAME

Since coming out, how has your approach to relationships and dating evolved, and what have you learned about yourself through these experiences?

I feel how I described the songs dives into this a bit. I hope to talk more about this in-depth in my book!

In 2020, your album "Therapy Sessions" provides a glimpse into your internal struggles. Can you share more about the significance of the album title and what the recording process was like for you?

It was a really significant album for me because it was the first time I started going to therapy and taking it seriously. I learned a lot about myself and those songs that came as a result of it along with the therapy itself helped me get to a place where I was ready to come out I think. Because I understood better what was going on internally.

You joined the "Love Loud" tour alongside Imagine Dragons' Dan Reynolds, Victoria Monét and other artists. What was the highlight of being part of these dates, and how did it contribute to your advocacy for the LGBTQ community?

I love being alongside Dan, who’s a dear friend I’ve known since before Imagine Dragons was signed and had their breakthrough hit with "Radioactive." We met at church in Hollywood and to now have him as such an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community as an ally and the changes he’s made in Utah culture is just incredible. I’m so grateful for him and love him.

Being named one of OUT Magazine’s "2023 Out 100 Storytellers" is a significant recognition. How do you see your role as a storyteller, and what stories do you feel compelled to share through your music and experiences?

It was really fun to be included in that and I met a lot of great people in the LGBTQIA+ community! I feel that simply sharing what the journey is like from being a closeted faithful religious person who was known as that as an artist, to now the journey of coming to terms with who I’ve always been and making changes to find that acceptance while helping other people understand what that’s like if they don’t experience it, or if they’re queer and haven’t quite found it yet. It’s a big goal of mine and I’m excited to get more in-depth in both my songwriting and in writing my new book and maybe even other projects that are in talks.

The Masked Singer marked your return to primetime television, and you ended up as a finalist. How did participating in the show contribute to your personal and artistic growth?

I feel I’ve gotten good at getting close in competitions! Haha...while not fully getting to the ultimate spot. But, it was so much fun. It was a less stressful way of getting back on national tv especially since it was my first time back on a national stage after coming out. That really terrified me but I also believe in facing your fears and what makes you uncomfortable.

In a Good Morning America interview, you spoke about your faith crisis and stepping away from the Church of Latter Day Saints. How has this decision impacted your sense of identity and overall well-being?

I really look forward to discussing all the details of this journey in the book I’m writing because there are a lot of complex issues that I feel would help people of faith and especially people from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) to have a better perspective of the queer journey for people in those church congregations. It was definitely an awakening for me and felt like a rebirth in a sense.

Suit: D.RT, Sunglasses: BARTON PERRERA, Necklace: BRILLIANT EARTH

Your journey involves overcoming anxiety and questioning religious values. How did you find the strength to prioritize your mental health and embrace your true self?

I think learning to love yourself is key and prime to living the best life you can, and to connect with others and find where you belong.

You mentioned taking a break from religion for your own sanity. How has this break allowed you to explore and understand your own beliefs and spirituality?

I’m still trying to figure out what spirituality means to me now. I decided to take a step back and take a break from trying to have all the answers the way I think religion does. I think religion tries to come up with answers and solutions to every question in life when it’s not necessarily the right ones. So, I am ok with not having all the answers for now.

Your journey includes a period of self-reflection during vocal cord surgery. How did this forced silence contribute to your personal growth, and what did you discover about yourself during that time?

I actually really liked not having to use my voice! I always identified myself with using it and when I couldn’t I had to find my identity and how to connect with people in other ways.

Also, with that break and coming back into speaking and singing again I feel that’s when I realized I needed to use my voice differently. Speak for myself and how I felt and what I believed instead of what others had always told me to say.

**LEFT** Suit: D.RT, Sunglasses: BARTON PERRERA, Necklace: BRILLIANT EARTH **RIGHT** Suit: JACK VICTOR, Shirt: PROPAGANDA, Shoes: THURSDAY BOOT CO. Necklace: BRILLIANT EARTH

Closing on a positive note, what message or advice would you like to share with your fans who may be going through similar struggles or seeking inspiration from your experiences?

I would say it’s ok to have down days! It’s hard to see in the moment how you’ll ever get out of it or if things will ever get better. But life is full of highs and lows. Both ends are meant to stretch us and help us grow. We need both to have perspective. I’ve learned as an artist that some of the most beautiful work you can create comes from the biggest heartache you experience. I don't know why but that’s how it is and what ends up a lot of time touching people the most. There’s beauty in even those moments. Allow yourself to get through so you can look back and see the beauty of your life. And that way you can see it was also filled with beautiful happy joyous moments as well and it’s not all dark. Let’s celebrate life! Let’s have fun. Laugh. Live a little and do things we normally would say - Aw I shouldn’t, I’ve got to do this and this and this. Life is short and we should enjoy! Look at the trees and birds. Play good music and dance to it. Jam out in the car. Go see friends or talk to them. Or, meet new friends. Go somewhere you’ve wanted to but haven’t yet. Try a new food dish. There are lots of moments we can create joy in our life. Make room for those moments so you live a more fulfilling life!

What’s a valuable lesson that you’ve learned that you always carry with you?

Allow yourself to come forward with all your insecurities and vulnerabilities and look at it without judgement. Learn to love it. You’ll find a whole new self-love you didn’t know you were capable of before.

If you were a book, what book would you be and why?

I guess I will be the book I’m currently making lol because I wrote a book before when I was 18. It didn’t feel like mine though. I said what I thought I was supposed to. Now I am living authentically and can’t wait to tell my side of my life.