David Archuleta was only 16 when he first appeared on American Idol. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and secretly struggling with depression and his sexuality. After coming out of the closet in 2021, David has been sharing his story and credits his fans as being a source of love and support. He tearfully bared his soul on stage at one of his concerts and his fans applauded him for his vulnerability and resilience. David’s upcoming single, “Up” embraces his newfound liberation. It’s fun, upbeat and he describes it as stepping into the light after living in darkness and likens it to "The Wizard of Oz." David Archuleta is a queer role model and a prominent leader in the LGBTQ+ community.