Seventeen years after “American Idol” put him on the map, David Archuleta is ready to live life at his own rhythm, and in doing so, reflect his authentic self through music in ways he’s never done before.
“I’m just trying to be myself, figure out what that even is, and evolve as a person,” the pop singer told HuffPost. “I don’t want to create drama or anything. I’m just trying to find joy in creating, performing, dancing… I’m not looking for heavy opinions about things.”
On Friday, Archuleta unveiled a new musical project, “Earthly Delights.” The six-song EP is the followup to his 2020 album, “Therapy Sessions,” and his first release of original music since coming out as a member of the queer community in 2021.
Archuleta kicked off his self-professed “flirty” era with the EP’s first single, “Crème Brulée,” in March. The song’s music video found the singer-songwriter showing off a chiseled physique while backed by a three-person dance troupe.
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His latest single is the wistful ballad “Dulce Amor,” and in its accompanying music video, he portrays both a pensive angel and a Bobby Darin-like, early 1950s crooner. Together, both “Crème Brulée” and “Dulce Amor” present colorful takes on the personal awakening the 34-year-old singer says he’s experienced in recent years ― outwardly queer and sensual, yes, but still reckoning with the Mormon upbringing of his youth.
“I feel like I’m gaining my power back by writing these songs,” said Archuleta, who stepped away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2022. “I grew up believing gay people only cared about having sex ― that’s what it meant to be gay. But we experience love as anyone else does. [Now] I’m allowing myself to let my feelings open up for other guys, and fall in love.”
He went on to note: “It’s important to remind [members of] the queer community that you don’t have to dress a certain way, look a certain way, act a certain way or have a certain way of talking. I hope there’s room for people who grew up religious, came out later in life and who may be a little square, like I am. We’ve all entered into this coming into ourselves at different times.”
Though “Earthly Delights” steers clear of overt references to politics, Archuleta says his “activist” side comes out while in conversation with his fans, many of whom look to him as a role model.
“I try to help people better understand what it’s like to come out as queer and be queer,” he said. “Sometimes you’re used to avoiding it and being on autopilot. So it’s like, ‘OK, how do I reprogram and allow myself to explore this aspect of myself more freely and without hesitation?’ You find what works for you.”
Since coming in as runner-up on the seventh season of “American Idol” in 2008, Archuleta has released eight studio albums, including 2012’s “Forevermore” and 2017’s “Postcards in the Sky,” and has proven himself to be a formidable live performer.
He’ll kick off his Earthly Delights Tour Aug. 23 with an appearance at Ohio’s Akron Pride, followed by California’s Sacramento Pride on Aug. 31. He’s set to perform in New York and San Francisco, along with a homecoming show in Salt Lake City, Utah, among other cities.
Regarding the tour, Archuleta is excited to perform his new songs “in a kinda rave setting,” while also embracing the fans who “have been with me since I was a naive young boy, and continue to cheer me on.”
“I’ve noticed a lot of people expect me to be a larger-than-life personality,” he said. “Go watch ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ if that’s what you want. Don’t expect that from me. I am not looking for everybody’s favor and blessing. I tried to do that before, and it sucks.”
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