David Archuleta on Religion, Identity, and Reclaiming His Voice

Full Episode:

Episode Description:

David Archuleta joins to talk about his deeply personal new memoir, Devout — and the raw three-song EP that accompanies the audiobook.

David opens up about growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wrestling with faith and sexuality, and the emotional toll of trying to reconcile religion with his identity as a queer man. He shares what it was like to feel called to honesty while simultaneously feeling pressured to hide, and how writing this book became a turning point in reclaiming his voice.

The conversation explores:

• Why Devout became the right vessel for his story

• The courage it took to overshare — about family, faith, and dating

• Recording the audiobook in his own voice and the unexpected impact it had

• The vulnerable EP that serves as a musical prequel to his current era

• What he’d say to “younger David” stepping into the spotlight on American Idol

• Finding joy today — from the gym to the beach to late-night EDM shows

Devout is out now, with the exclusive EP available through the audiobook.