David “Delights”: an interview withDavid Archuleta

By Gregg Shapiro

Photo-Credit-Shaun-Vadella

Whether or not you are a fan of “American Idol,” and a follower of those who have been on the show,

sometimes there is a story about one of the competitors that can catch your attention. For many, especially LGBTQ people, David Archuleta is a perfect example. Only a teenager, and still in high school, when made the cut for season seven of the show, Archuleta finished in second place (to David Cook) in 2008. But his story was far from over. Raised in a Mormon household, he came out in 2022 and, along with his mother, left the LDS Church. In August 2025, Archuleta is releasing “Earthly Delights” (davidarchuleta.com), a marvelous six-song EP. He’s following up the release with a multicity tour during September and October. David graciously made time for an interview in early July. [David

Archuleta performs at Northalsted Market Days on August 10.]

Gregg Shapiro: We’re speaking on July 1, the day after Pride Month 2025 ended. Did you do anything

special to celebrate Pride?

David Archuleta: I performed at quite a few Pride events throughout the US, which was really great. I just came back from Oklahoma City Pride and St. Louis Pride. I performed at World Pride (in DC) and

Utah Pride, which is where I where I grew up, which is really special, as well, and Pittsburgh Pride. It's been a month of celebrating.

GS: Your new EP “Earthly Delights” will be released in August. About the EP you’ve said, “I’m in my indulgence mode when it comes to giving into my sensuality.” In what ways do you think the songs on this EP represent that?

DA: I think just the fact that I’ve written romantic songs, period, has been a big step for me. They

reference more of a sensual side to life, (which is) something I always avoided. I look back, and I'm like,

“Oh, my gosh, this is still pretty wholesome for probably most people’s standards, especially in pop

music, when it comes into like romance and sexuality.” But for me, I think it was very hard because I

always avoided that by a mile. To me, it feels like I'm indulging. But maybe for a Momon, it's indulgence,

because probably for most people, this is just love.

GS: The EP contains the songs “Crème Brulée” and “Dulce Amor” which begs the question, do you have a sweet tooth?

DA: I have definitely gained a sweet tooth. I love my chocolate chip cookies, I love crème brulée, I love

ice cream with peanut butter on it. Molten lava cake is also really good. I may need to take a step away from the sweets because singing so much about sweet things and all that, I've gotten a little overwhelmed with the sweets.

GS: In “Dulce Amor” you sing, “You’re my favorite record/Joni Mitchell ‘Blue’/Wish I had a river/Had a case of you.” Are you a Joni Mitchell fan?

DA: Definitely, yes! Ever since junior high, I’ve been a fan. I even considered covering a Joni Mitchell

song on “American Idol.” I was trying to do that, but it didn't work out, so I picked a different song. But

I've always loved Joni Mitchell. In the writing session I had during that song (“Dulce Amor”), one of the

writers and the producer, we were in the studio, and they had a painting of Joni Mitchell. I said, “Why not just mention her in the song?” So, we did.

GS: You didn’t get to sing a Joni song on “Idol,” but have you ever covered a song of hers in concert?

DA: I have not. “Both Sides Now” is probably only one of two songs that I can play on guitar. It was the first song I learned on the guitar, and, unfortunately, because I didn't really keep it up, I've forgotten how to play it a bit. But I loved her enough that it inspired me to at least learn a song of hers on the guitar.

GS: The piano and vocal ballad “Home” is gorgeous. Is the message of the song addressed toanyone in particular?

DA: I wanted “Home” to feel like it could be romantic, but I also wanted it to feel like you could apply it to anybody. “Home” is about losing your identity and losing what you felt was your home base, then finding it somewhere else. Whether that's a person. Whether that's someone you fall in love with or someone who just makes you feel safe. I wanted it to describe a feeling anyone can feel, regardless of their sexuality. To be a nod to, when you're in a relationship, a same-sex relationship, a queer relationship, that a lot of the feelings that most people feel, when they feel love for someone, feel loved by someone. It's no different, whether it's a heterosexual or homosexual relationship. The sentiment is the same.

GS: As they say, love is love.

DA: Yes. I guess I wanted to go a little deeper into that so that people could say, “I get it. You feel the same thing that I feel.” Because a lot of people don't think that gay relationships are the same. That

they're not based on the same principles or the same emotions of pure love. I’ve very much

experienced that, and this is what it is. (It’s) for people who, whether they're gay and have that

representation, to feel like this is a wholesome, pure love. Straight people could also listen to it, and

those who wondered, after I came out, what I got myself into. It's my life and stuff, but also, look at what I get to enjoy. Which I didn’t really get to do until I came out, and it feels like home.

GS: You are embarking on a multicity tour in September and October. How many months out of the year would you say that you are on the road?

DA: I wouldn't say I'm on the road very often. I've done these Pride shows, and I do a few shows here

and there throughout the year. I wouldn't say I love to be on the road half of the year, 3/4 of the year. I did that during “American Idol” and the year after “American Idol” and it was a bit much for me. I try to pace myself and give myself a time frame and time limits on how often I'm out. I like to have my own space, my own routine. It's hard to do that when you're constantly on the road. I do love to go out on the road, but just for a certain amount of time. Maybe two to three months out of the year, if that.

GS: Before the tour begins, you’re performing at Northalsted Market Days in Chicago on August 10. Have you been to Chicago for Market Days before?

DA: I haven’t!

GS: What are you most looking forward to about the Northalsted Market Days show?

DA: I love Chicago. It's such a great city. There's such great food. I love the vibe and the people. Chicago has been a supportive city since the beginning of my career.

GS: Do you have any favorite Chicago haunts that you typically return to when you’re in the city?

DA: Man, I had Lou Malnati’s (pizza) when I was there.

GS: Yes, that’s the best deep-dish pizza anywhere.

DA: It was so good! I was not disappointed. I've had dreams about it. I keep thinking, should I just go

back to Chicago just so I can eat it? I didn't realize how much I could love Lou Malnati’s.

GS: I’m from Chicago, but I now live in Fort Lauderdale, and every year my mother sends me and my husband a box of the frozen Lou Malnati’s pizzas at Christmas.

DA: Ooh!

GS: As part of the tour, you’ll also be performing in Salt Lake City on September 19. What’s it like for you to do hometown shows?

DA: There’s a sense of we’ve been through a lot of the same things. It's literally like neighbors and friends and family. But even if they're not direct family or neighbors, you’ve still grown up in the same culture, the same environment, the same kind of belief system. Particularly with people who grew up in the same religion as I did, as Latter-Day Saints. Whether or not they're still in it, you understand each other; why you think the way you do, why you believe what you do. Especially when you've left. I left the religion a few years ago, and to connect with people who've been through that and had to do with the same kind of discrimination, misunderstandings, and judgments. It’s nice to connect with everybody. To see people who're still a part of it and say we still love you and support you.

They’ve been through so much with you already, and so they're invested in staying by your side. I think that's a really sweet thing. Before all of the national recognition, they’ve seen me grow up. It’s a special thing, and you get to have fun and celebrate.

GS: I live in Fort Lauderdale, and I know you are originally from Miami. In February 2024, you did a show in our beautiful, queer city of Wilton Manors. Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans in South Florida?

DA: I had such a great time in Wilton Manors. I grew up not very far from there, at least up until kindergarten. I was born in North Miami. We lived a little bit in Hialeah, but then a lot of time in Hollywood. It was definitely nostalgic to go back and to kind of return to my roots, where I had my

first years of life. I would love to go back more often because I do love South Florida. I love the Cuban

sandwiches and the mamey shakes. I still crave it. Those things that you experience when you’re little, the introduction of sensory events, are njust a part of you. I'm grateful ton have fans from there, and I hope to go back.

Photo By Irvin-Rivera