David Archuleta Exposes Painful Past, Leaving Mormon Church and Coming Out in Explosive Memoir

 Photo credit: Robert Ascroft

David Archuleta is finally telling the story fans never knew.

The American Idol Season 7 runner-up, who became a household name at just 17, is opening up in his new memoir DEVOUT, Losing My Faith to Find Myself, revealing the private struggles that unfolded while the world saw only a squeaky-clean teen star with a golden voice.

Behind the scenes, David says he was battling a painful internal conflict: he was attracted to men while growing up as a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the book, he details the emotional toll of trying to balance faith, identity, and sudden fame.

David Archuleta on 'American Idol' in 2008. (Credit: R Mickshaw/American Idol 2008/Getty)

DEVOUT also dives into what David describes as a controlling and emotionally difficult upbringing, including a father who managed his early career so tightly that he was eventually banned from the American Idol set. The memoir follows David through the show’s aftermath, a tour with Demi Lovato, and a two-year missionary sabbatical in South America.

The story gets even more personal. Archuleta writes about heartbreak, estrangement, three engagements, and thoughts of suicide as he struggled to reconcile who he was with who he felt he was supposed to be. Ultimately, the book chronicles his decision to leave the Mormon Church and live openly as a queer man.

“A lot of people who saw teenage David on TV thought they knew me,” he shares. “There was a lot more going on behind the scenes than many realized. I had to recondition almost everything I learned. This is a story about finding courage within yourself during your darkest moment to become who you truly are.”

Paula Abdul praised his journey, calling his transformation “one of the most inspiring” she’s seen, adding that his greatest gift is his willingness to be unapologetically himself.

Alongside the book, David is releasing a three-song DEVOUT EP tied to the memoir’s themes. The project will be available exclusively through the audiobook, out February 17, 2026. The focus track, “Old and Young,” explores the emotional limbo that comes with major life change and learning you do not have to be perfect to move forward. I got to hear a teaser, and it's phenomenal!

Archuleta will also launch a seven-city book tour starting February 17 in New York at 92NY, with Q&A sessions and autograph signings. The book is available for pre-order now, here.

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