David Archuleta is out here living a life that would make his American Idol self absolutely beam.
Nearly four years after publicly coming out, the 34-year-old singer—best known for stealing our hearts with “Crush”—is fully leaning into his newfound sense of self.
Whether he’s sharing gym snaps (hello, pecs!), dropping hints about his sassy dating preferences, or rocking a deep-plunging suit at a Grammy Awards viewing party, David has made one thing crystal clear: the closet simply wasn’t his vibe.
Catching Up on Lost Time
In an interview with Us Weekly, Archuleta confessed that he feels like he’s “back in… what people usually have in their teenage or college years”—except he’s doing it in his 30s.
And from the sound of it, he’s having a blast. He even took his first sip of alcohol recently. Cheers to living authentically, right?
Bye, Bye, Closeted Cuties
But that’s not all. The devout Mormon-turned-queer pop star is done with men on the down low.
After a frustrating dating experience in conservative Nashville, where “I can’t let any of my friends know” was the recurring line from a closeted beau, David decided it was time to trade Tennessee for sun-drenched Los Angeles.
His new rule? Out and proud or bust. We stan a man who knows his boundaries, honey!
Flaunt It, Archie!
Did we mention he’s serving fashion moments these days?
At a recent Grammy viewing party, David wore a white oversized suit with a swoon-worthy plunging top that had fans swooning.
+Related: David Archuleta: Finding Joy and Gay Love
“I wouldn’t have been wearing so much chest showing if I was still Mormon,” he teased in an interview, basically coining the new motto: If you got it, flaunt it!
Memoir & Music: A New Era
Of course, the “Crush” singer isn’t just about thirst traps and dating dish; he’s also channeling his experiences into a forthcoming memoir, due out this summer.
The book will detail his evolution from devout Mormon to openly gay pop star, revealing how he broke free from the limitations of religion, fear, and a once-hidden identity.
But that’s not all: he’s also dropping a cover of George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90”—on its 35th anniversary, no less—to underscore the message that’s near and dear to his heart: standing up for your right to be unapologetically you.
“Plot twist: the closet was never my vibe anyway,” he captioned a TikTok teaser, stepping out of an actual closet to prove his point. Say it louder for the folks in the back!
Let’s Hear It for the Boy
Archuleta is pushing back against any negativity, especially in a political climate where LGBTQ+ rights are still under fire.
He’s hoping his uplifting cover reminds people that freedom, acceptance, and self-love are worth fighting for—no matter how others might judge.
So what’s next for the unstoppable David Archuleta?
More shirtless socials? A pride-filled L.A. romance? That oh-so-intriguing memoir?
We’re here for all of it.
Because let’s be honest: we’ve been rooting for Archie since he belted out “Imagine” on American Idol, and watching him finally live loud and proud is the ultimate encore.
Raise your rainbow flags, babes—this ex-Idol darling is serving authenticity, confidence, and a big dose of “Freedom!”
With a brand-new perspective, a sizzling style glow-up, and a memoir on the way, David Archuleta is proof that sometimes you find yourself and your true voice a little later in life—and it’s never too late to slay.
+Related: Queer & Proud: David Archuleta on Finding Liberation at Raves