David Archuletas latest era? Love.Its fitting, considering the singer-songwriters beginnings. His career began in 2008, when he was just 17, with a run on American Idol, where he placed second. As a teen heartthrob, he released his debut single, Crush, which still echoes in his life today and its not just the onstage reverb.The song that pined I know this crush aint going away reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year. Yearning. Budding first love. Fear of acting on his true feelings. Those youthful themes of Crush have come full circle for Archuleta. Why do I keep running from the truth? he croons on the track. All I ever think about is you.The song always felt like it was gonna be very special, Archuleta says. I didnt think of how it would be such a moment for the rest of my career up to this point. As a young man, Archuleta never allowed himself to feel crushes. Even for girls, like even if I had feelings for them, I felt like if I let my feelings come out, my gay feelings would come, my same-sex feelings would come, he says. In 2021, the singer came out as queer, and he left the Mormon Church in 2022. In the years since, hes dated men, gone to raves, and even pierced his ears something he was always afraid to do. Given that Archuleta is no longer hiding, the song that launched his career hits differently. Nick SpanosComing out has been an awakening, he says. Its been a sexual awakening. It almost feels like Im going through puberty now rather than as a teenager. By suppressing everything, he felt detached from feelings of sexuality. Because of that fear, I never allowed myself to fully experience it, he says. I was so afraid [that] if I let too much of [my] sexual feelings come out, then I would turn gay, or I would unleash the monster in me, or I would lose self-control.His latest EP, Earthly Delights, is just how I feel, he says. Its a grounding of David. At 34, hes settling into his life nicely, but hes still reflecting: What does it mean to be queer as David? It still comes with playing, exploring, experimenting. As an artist, you always experiment and explore. Thats the beauty of being an artist is always creating a story and creating a world for the audience and the listener to step into.Look at Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, Bruno Mars. They have these eras of who they are, Archuleta says. Im in a grounded era where I want it to feel a little more chill but still sexy. And I dont know what will come after that. Im excited to share this side of me.Archuleta performed at WorldPride in Washington, D.C., in June, and the love and support of the global LGBTQ+ community means the world to him. We all have a shared experience, he says. His friends, especially his transgender friends like RuPauls Drag Race star and American Idol alum Adore Delano, with whom he recently reconnected, have taught him how to really live boldly and courageously.This is what Pride is all about, says Archuleta. Being proud of how far youve come, whether its individually or just in the LGBTQ+ community as a whole is powerful, he says. There was a time when it was illegal, and you could be punished for simply being queer and allowing yourself to be in a relationship with someone. The progress weve made you can marry the person you love, start a family, and start a life together, and create goals and dreams together.David Archuletas EP Earthly Delights is now available, and his tour kicks off this fall. This article is part of Out's July/Aug 2025 issue, which hits newsstands July 1. Support queer media and subscribe or download the issue now through Apple News, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader.