• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Culture

David Archuleta opens up about his struggle to come out

4:14
David Archuleta opens up about his struggle to come out
Getty Images for Fox, FILE
ByAngeline Jane Bernabe and Anthony McMahon
June 23, 2021, 1:02 PM

American Idol alum David Archuleta is opening up after telling fans on social media that he’s part of the LGBTQ+ community.

In an exclusive interview that aired Wednesday on “Good Morning America,” Archuleta, 30, reflected on what it’s been like for him since sharing his news with the world and how it feels like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

“I think I was a lot more scared before,” Archuleta told ABC News' Steve Osunsami. “Because I always felt there was something that I had to keep to myself. There’s so much relief to not feel like you have to hide a part of yourself, like a secret.”

VIDEO: David Archuleta opens up about his struggle to come out
ABCNews.com

Earlier this month, the singer told fans on Instagram that he came out to his family seven years ago as gay, but had similar feelings for both genders.

“I’ve been open to myself and my close family for some years now that I’m not sure about my own sexuality,” Archuleta wrote on Instagram. “I came out in 2014 as gay to my family. But then I had similar feelings for both genders so maybe a spectrum of bisexual.”

He then went on to explain that he also learned that he doesn’t have as many sexual desires and urges as most people.

“There are people experiencing the same feeling of being LGBTQIA+ … who are wrestling to follow their beliefs that are so important to them, just as I have,” he wrote.

Related Articles

MORE: Carl Nassib comes out as 1st openly gay active NFL player

Archuleta, who is a devout Mormon, rose to fame after competing on season 7 of “American Idol” in 2008. He came in a close second in the final round and went on to release eight albums and a number of hits including “Crush.”

Finalist David Archuleta performs on stage during the "American Idol" season 7 finale, May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles.
M. Caulfield/WireImage via Getty Images, FILE

Over the years, Archuleta has put his faith first and completed his missionary service in 2012 in South America. It was on that trip that he said was the first time he was honest with himself about his sexuality.

Archuleta said the road to accepting his sexuality wasn’t easy for him.

“I was praying like God, you can do all things. You are a God of miracles. And I know you’ve allowed the blind to see and he rose -- the dead to rise again. And i thought, you know, if I do everything I’m supposed to, maybe he can change me as well,” he said. “So I would say, ‘Please take these feelings away from me because I don’t want to. I don’t want to feel things I shouldn’t. I don’t want to feel things that would be wrong.”

Related Articles

MORE: Then & Now: A conversation on how far the LGBTQ+ community has come

“So that’s been the process I’ve had to learn how to love myself, even when I don’t understand why I’m the way I am but to learn that’s how God has created me,” he added. “And I have to discover that, and there’s so many millions of other people who’ve gone through the same thing as me where they’ve tried to change who they are.”

Since coming out, Archuleta said he’s shared his truth with a few leaders in the Mormon Church and hasn’t felt rejected. He hopes his story could help others and urged people to be more kind.

Former contestant David Archuletta performs live on "American Idol" season 8 on April 22, 2009, in Los Angeles.
Getty Images for Fox, FILE

“For people who don’t really understand how feelings outside of just being heterosexual can be possible and okay I just plead that you be more understanding to people who experience and struggle with things that you may not experience and understand yourself,” Archuleta wrote in his Instagram post.

“If other people choose to live differently than what you’ve been raised to believe is right, please have compassion because it’s most likely been an exhausting journey for them to be okay with the feelings they have and never have been able to change,” he added.

Who is making LGBTQ+ history right now: GMA Inspiration List 2021

RuPaul, Melissa Etheridge, Todrick Hall, Bobby Berk and more nominate people making history now. See the full list.

ABC News collage for GMA Inspiration List
ABC News

Related Topics

  • LGBTQ

Up Next in Culture—

Simone Biles gives commencement address: See her advice to graduates

May 12, 2025

Simu Liu proposes to girlfriend Allison Hsu in Paris: 'I choose you forever and always'

May 12, 2025

Bindi Irwin misses Steve Irwin Gala due to medical emergency

May 12, 2025

Gisele Bündchen shares photos with youngest child in Mother's Day post

May 12, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News