DevOUT

A raw and powerful coming-out story from the beloved American Idol finalist traces David Archuleta’s journey from closeted Mormon teen to global pop star to openly queer man, revealing the hidden pressures of fame, the weight of religious expectations, and the courage it takes to live authentically.

 

People magazine - here

 

 At just seventeen, David Archuleta rose to national fame as the runner-up on American Idol season seven, captivating millions with his angelic voice. Behind the scenes, however, he was struggling with a truth he feared would destroy everything: he was attracted to men—and a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

 

In DEVOUT, David takes you inside his deeply personal journey as a closeted Mormon teen turned international pop star, torn between faith, fame, and identity. From dealing with the pressures of being on a hit television show to a domineering father who controlled every aspect of his career—even being banned from the show’s set—David reveals the emotional abuse and inner turmoil that he says plagued his childhood. 

 

This searing memoir reflects on David’s ventures with American Idol, a tour with Demi Lovato, and a two-year sabbatical as a missionary in South America, charting his path through heartbreak, estrangement, three engagements, thoughts of suicide, and finally, his courageous decision to leave the Mormon Church in order to live authentically as a queer man. Featuring never-before-seen photos, DEVOUT is a must-read for fans of pop culture, American Idol, and anyone deconstructing their religious upbringing, or who’s ever wrestled with who they are versus who they’re told to be.

 

“A lot of people who saw teenage David on TV thought they knew me. In DEVOUT, I share that there was a lot more going on behind the scenes than many realized—with me, with my family, and with the show. I had to recondition almost everything I learned or was taught to believe, and that process can be challenging. This is a story about finding courage within yourself during your absolute darkest moment to persevere and become who you truly are.”

 

 

Watching David come into his own—embracing love, owning his truth, and standing fully in the beauty of who he is—has been one of the most inspiring transformations

I’ve ever seen. He reminds us all that our greatest gift is not just our talent, but the willingness to be unapologetically ourselves.” – Paula Abdul

 

And David will hit the road on a seven-city book tour beginning February 17 in New York at 92NY (See All Book Tour Dates Below).  Each event will include a Q&A discussion as well as autograph signing with the purchase of the book.  In addition, David will also release a 3-song EP of new music written specifically about themes in the book.  The DEVOUT EP will be available only thru the purchase of the audiobook HERE which will also be released on February 17, 2026.

David shares more on the Devout EP - Since this book is looking back at the prequel of my life as it is for me today, I wanted to go back to the feel of how I approached music as a young musician trying to figure out himself, and how younger David approached his life or felt like he had to approach his life with music. The songs are a bit more raw, more vocally focused, and really about telling the story to complement the story I tell in my memoir.    The focus track from the EP is “Old and Young” HERE – “Old and Young” is a song about the state of limbo you feel you're in after going through a big life change. We don't see things the same way as we once did. You've gotten so much older but yet are starting a completely new chapter of life so you feel like a baby in terms of experience and knowing what to do. In the process you realize you don't have to be perfect and that you are human.” 

Book Tour Dates

Tuesday, February 17 – New York City at 92NY @ 7:30 pm

(W/DEVOUT collaborator Valerie Frankel) - Ticket Link

 

Wednesday, February, 18 – Boston at WBUR City Space @ 7:00 pm (w/Amory Sivertson) - Ticket Link

 

Thursday, February 19 – Chicago at Barbara’s Bookstore at Macy’s on State Street @ 6:00 pm –

(Please note this event is a meet & greet and signing only.  No Q&A)  Ticket Link

 

Friday, February 20 – St. Louis at Clayton High School Theatre @ 7:00 pm (w/Shane Mullen) - Ticket Link

 

Monday, February 23 – Austin, TX at Book People @ 7:00 pm (W/Johnny Sibilly) - Ticket Link

 

Tuesday, February 24 -  Salt Lake City at Utah Museum of Fine Arts @ 7:00 pm (W/Jessi Draper of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives) - Ticket Link

 

Wednesday, February 25 – Los Angeles at Barnes & Noble/The Grove at Farmer’s Market @ 7:00 pm (w/Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons) - Ticket Link

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