David Archuleta Explains Break From Hollywood After ‘American Idol’ Fame

David Archuleta rose to fame when he competed on Season 7 of “American Idol” in 2008. Shortly after finishing the singing competition as runner-up, the musician released his debut single “Crush.” The track premiered at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and was later featured as part of Achuleta’s eponymous debut album in 2008. 

Archuleta’s rise to fame continued with the release of his subsequent five albums in the five years that followed. After releasing “No Matter How Far” in 2013, the singer mysteriously disappeared from radio waves until 2017 when he returned to the music scene with his “Postcards in the Sky” album. 

Now, eight years later, Archuleta has opened up about his hiatus, telling E! News that he needed a break after the “pressure and attention” of “American Idol.”

Archuleta Spent Two Years in Chile After ‘American Idol’

Now 34, Archulate sat down with E! following the release of his latest EP “Earthly Delights” and ahead of the Feburary 2026 release of his debut memoir “Devout.” While the interview spanned conversations with the artist concerning relationships, religion and music, Archuleta similarly looked back on his “American Idol” career. 

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According to Archuleta, he was a “very innocent, naive kid, who suddenly came to national fame” when he appeared on the show nearly 20 years ago. With “American Idol” at “the height of its popularity,” the singer added that he felt the pressure knowing “millions of people were watching it and tuning in.”

“They were invested in me, whether I do well or what would happen next,” he recalled, “I didn’t know how to make that transition and was intimidated by all that pressure and attention.”

Deciding he needed a break from the spotlight, Archuleta admitted that his hiatus from music doubled as a “religious sabbatical as a Mormon missionary for two years.” 

Archuleta has spoken candidly about his childhood spent in the LDS Church in the past, as well as his decision to leave the church in recent years. After the spiritual journey in Chile, Archuleta revealed that he wasn’t sure he wanted to continue his lucrative music career. 

Archuleta Says He’s Ready For His ‘Lover Boy’ Era

“I came back and was like, ‘OK, do I still want to do music?” he said, adding that he’d “never really taken the time to reflect [on], like, ‘What do I want to be. Who do I want to develop into? What image am I gonna grow?’”

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The singer-songwriter spent the following years on a journey of self-discovery that not only saw his musical return with albums like “Winter in the Air” (2018) and “Therapy Sessions” (2020), but also resulted in Archuleta coming out as queer in 2021. 

Despite admitting that he “for the most part” dates men, the “Creme Brulee” singer clarified in an August 20 interview with People that he’s “still open to meeting girls,” adding, however, that he finds it “easier” to date men. 

Regardless, the former “American Idol” star is single and ready to mingle, telling People, “I’m very much in my lover boy flirty era, and it’s a very fun time for me.”

David Archuleta’s latest EP “Earthly Delights” is currently available to stream on Spotify.