“If You’re Going to Hell, I’m Going Too”: David Archuleta reveals mother’s unwavering support after coming out
– 1 min read
Former American Idol star David Archuleta has revealed his mother's unwavering support and the emotional and social challenges he faced after coming out as queer in 2021, including backlash from members of his former religious community.
Raised in a devout Mormon household in Utah, Archuleta, now 34, shared in a recent interview that his decision to publicly embrace his queer identity and step away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was met with both support and criticism. “A lot of people got pissed off,” he said, reflecting on the reaction to his departure from the church and his candidness about his journey. “They were really upset because I said I’m not a Mormon and I kind of poked fun at what I was now doing.”
Despite the backlash, Archuleta found unwavering support from his mother, Lupe. He recalled her powerful words: “If you’re going to hell, then I’m going to hell with you. We’re going together.”
The singer, who recently released his EP Earthly Delights, explained that while he still appreciates aspects of his upbringing, he no longer feels bound by the expectations placed on him by his former faith community. “I’m in a different place of life now. You can’t hold me accountable like that anymore,” he said. “I represented their beliefs for them and so I had to separate from that.”
Archuleta also spoke about the complexities of dating as a queer person in the public eye. While he primarily dates men, he remains open to dating women, describing his identity as “queer” rather than strictly gay. “It’s tricky,” he admitted, acknowledging the nuances of his experience and the potential for misunderstanding within the LGBTQ+ community itself.
Despite the challenges, Archuleta says he’s now more comfortable in his own skin. “I used to be really uncomfortable with who I was. I didn’t know what to think of myself,” he said. “Now I’ve learned how to just have confidence and be like, ‘You know what? I’m a singer. I do music.’”
