*The following article contains discussion of suicide/self-harm.
Singer David Archuleta can now identify with how fans related to his 2008 debut song "Crush" after he kissed a man last year for the first time. He was 30.
Now 31, the former American Idol finalist opened up in a powerful interview with PEOPLE magazine about his long struggle with sexual identity while being devoted to the Mormon Church, which strongly denounces same-sex marriage and homosexuality.
Last year during Pride, he wrote a pensive social media post about reconciling his faith with his sexuality, saying he was "maybe a spectrum of bisexual" without labeling himself.
Yet he continued to struggle with a "faith crisis," and suppressed his strong desires for men, which eventually took a mental and emotional toll on him.
After a number of failed engagements with women, and thoughts of suicide because of the church's doctrine, he now identifies as queer and said he finally feels "liberated."
"I'm finally learning what it's like to actually love myself," he said during the Zoom interview from his Nashville home.
Last May, Archuleta suffered a paralyzing anxiety attack during dinner with his then-fiancée.
"I was panicking. I didn't move for 30 minutes," he recalled.
"I was thinking about having to be her partner and being intimate."
"She said, 'What the heck is going on?' I was like, 'All I know is I can't be around you. I need three weeks."
"I'm going to work really hard. I'm going too fast. I'm going to pray.'"
His near-breakdown in front of his fiancée was a result of years of denying his attraction to men.
He recalled:
"I was having anxiety attacks when I was around her because you're trying to force intimacy with someone that you're not able to experience."
"I didn't want to accept that I was into guys."
\u201c@DavidArchie @people @nelson_jeff Love yourself and be the best and the you you are happy to be.\nGod loves you no matter what because god is love.\nDont ever forget that okay?\u201d— David Archuleta (@David Archuleta) 1667412341
Archuleta had ended three engagements before last year's panic attack.
"No matter how hard I tried to marry a girl, it wasn't right," he said.
"And if you talk to my exes, they'll tell you it was rough."
"I'm sure other people who've been in that situation can relate."
"People who are queer, who've tried to get married just to do the 'right' thing, it ends up not being a very good thing, and it's not very healthy for either participant of the relationship."
\u201c@DavidArchie @people @nelson_jeff This interview sets the bar for sincerity and honesty David. You are helping others who may be on similar journey, you are changing hearts & minds! And I suspect your candid approach is healing and cathartic for you as well. I truly hope so \u2764\ufe0f Always cheering for you David \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffb\u201d— David Archuleta (@David Archuleta) 1667412341
In November 2008 Archuleta released a self-titled debut album following his participation on American Idol, where he came in second behind the season's winner, David Cook.
The album featured his debut single "Crush," a song that he didn't feel a connection with until last year's same-sex kiss.
Here is the music video for "Crush."
David Archuleta - Crush (Official Video)youtu.be
"It felt effortless," he recalled. "I was like, 'Oh, so this is what it feels like to like someone.' Now I see why everyone relates to my song."
\u201c@mormons_speak HE CAN FINALLY LIVE!! God bless you, David. You are LOVE and you are loved.\u201d— Mormons Speak (@Mormons Speak) 1667333182
His path to discovery is an ongoing one and he has dated other men since coming out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
"I just have to figure out who I am," he said after stepping back from the Mormon Church "for my own sanity."
\u201c@mormons_speak I don't think you can ever really find yourself until you step back particularly from a high demand religion like Mormonism which never gives you time to think if your active. Stepping back has been the best things I've done, I should have done it sooner.\u201d— Mormons Speak (@Mormons Speak) 1667333182
\u201c@mormons_speak Happy for him! Happy for the youth he can inspire. Hope peace for all. I remember all too well the pain that came from being queer and in the church. Wouldn\u2019t wish that on anyone.\u201d— Mormons Speak (@Mormons Speak) 1667333182
\u201c@DavidArchie @people @nelson_jeff The best you can do is be honest and sincere. Thank you for sharing David. I\u2019m so proud of you and happy to see you\u2019re feeling happier. Definitely glad you\u2019re still here. Live your life the way that is best for you. Always here to support you no matter what \ud83d\udc9c\ud83d\udc9c\u201d— David Archuleta (@David Archuleta) 1667412341
He recalled the religious values instilled in him after all these years.
"They're comparing being gay to murdering someone," said Archuleta, "and you're like, 'I don't want to be an evil person.'"
"Once you step away, you're finally able to see the fuller picture."
"It's confusing because, literally, the pictures on my wall are all Christian-based pictures of Jesus and of scriptures and things."
"Now I'm like, 'This was my world, but now it isn't. Now what do I do?' I have no idea."
\u201cSo glad he\u2019s talking all the time and space he needs to heal from the baked-in from birth, internalized self-hatred of homophobia he\u2019s experienced. Poor kid was at \u201cbe suicidal\u201d or \u201cleave & be alive & queer. \u201c answer is always the second one \nhttps://t.co/DOWWxtnEL0\u201d— Kristine A (@Kristine A) 1667370709
\u201c@DavidArchie @people @nelson_jeff You are not alone, a lot of us have left in order to be happy. Thank you for using your voice.\u201d— David Archuleta (@David Archuleta) 1667412341
\u201c@DavidArchie @people @nelson_jeff The world is better because you're in it. Never doubt that. Be kind and honest, both to others and to yourself. I'm glad you're finding your path and your joy. \u2764\ufe0f\ud83d\udc4d\u201d— David Archuleta (@David Archuleta) 1667412341
\u201c@DavidArchie @people @nelson_jeff Hey man, keep your chin up. There are those of us in the church that fully support your decisions regardless of whether you stay or leave. Do your thing, keep inspiring others.\u201d— David Archuleta (@David Archuleta) 1667412341
The singer said he feels he's in a much better place.
"I've allowed myself to love myself for everything I am, to not be conditioned to shame myself—and to be not ashamed of who I am feels wonderful because I didn't think it was ever okay to love myself."
LGBTQ+ Youth can get help through:
- TrevorChat — 24/7/365 at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/#services
- TrevorLifeline — phone service available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386
- TrevorText — Text “START” to 678678. Available 24/7/365.
- TrevorSpace — online international peer-to-peer community for LGBTQ young people and their friends at https://www.trevorspace.org/
- Trevor Support Center — LGBTQ youth & allies can find answers to FAQs and explore resources at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/trevor-support-center/#sm.0000121hx9lvicotqs52mb1saenel
@WhiteHouse/X
Oh My God Reaction GIF 
@repjeffries/Instagram