Gay american idol

Three years ago, former American Idol luminary David Archuleta had not yet attended a Pride festival. He had only just "come out" at age thirty-one following a lifetime of denying his sexual orientation.

But presently, as he prepares to take center stage at Cedar Valley Pridefest in Waterloo, Ia., this Saturday night, Archuleta stands as an exuberant ambassador for the yearly LGBTQ+ custom celebrated throughout the world.

'It's truly okay to learn to love yourself,' states Archuleta, 33, in July from Los Angeles amid a flurry of press interviews for his new single, 'Hell Together.' Having performed at nearly a dozen Pride festivals currently, Archuleta claims the tradition has aided him 'learn to not be ashamed of who I am.'

'I was always apprehensive,' declares Archuleta, who exited the Mormon church he'd belonged to his entire life, after 'coming out' as a gay man in 2021. 'I even thought that Pride, and being prideful, isn't a good thing. I used to think, ‘How dare they call it Pride?'

'Now to be able to move away from that mindset. I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh, I'm so proud of how far I've progressed.'

Ex-American Idol celebrity lives by a novel belief since 'coming out'

Archuleta sang his way to the "runner-up" position on the seventh season of American Idol in 2008. His cheerful smile, angelic voice, and youthful innocence earned him the label of the boy next door.

In truth, Archuleta has since revealed, the experience was emotionally scarring and left him with "panic attacks and trust issues," he imparted to American Songwriter.

Archuleta was also harboring a secret at that period: that he was gay. His lifelong membership in the restrictive Mormon Church amplified both his "good kid" facade, and his private struggle.

The singer ultimately "came out" in 2021 and left that church. Even today, as he recounts his challenge with accepting his own sexuality both personally and publicly, you can't dismiss the lingering suggestion of "aw shucks" in Archuleta's demeanor.

'Gross,''icky,' and 'nasty' are words he remembers he used to attribute to the celebration of Pride. He also requested three different women to become his wife. He eventually came out with the aid of therapy.

Presently, he's completely in with being open about his sexual orientation, and with Pride events. He&8217;s headlined them in San Diego, Milwaukee, Houston, Fort Worth, Providence, R.I., and more.

This Saturday, he will be the main attraction at one of Iowa's biggest Pride gatherings, Cedar Valley Pridefestin Waterloo. The two-day event kicks off at 5 p.m. on Friday night and proceeds throughout the day Saturday, with Archuleta headlining at 10 p.m. Saturday.

Archuleta expresses he is liberated and lives by a different creed now.

'I used to feel like, ‘You should try and hide (your sexuality), and you should not even let people know about it. You're doing a disservice to them.' But now, it's like you know, who gives … (mumbles where you&8217;d expect a curse word) what people think of you.

'Stop letting other people tell you if you're of value or not. You tell yourself, ‘I am of value, I am of worth.'Even if it takes you a little while to feel that.'

Archuleta combines dance, party energy with sorrowful, considerate tunes

Some of the Pride events Archuleta has taken part in have been family-friendly affairs. Others, he says, are more like adult raves where he's been able to share his newly discovered fondness for dancing.

Much like Pride celebrations and LGBTQ+ sexuality, Archuleta&8217;s dancing and 'going to clubs' were prohibited by Archuleta's former religion. He is now beginning to incorporate dance into his stage shows.

'Dancing is so freeing, so expressive,' he remarks. 'I feel like our bodies are made to move and to feel and respond to rhythm and melodies. Now, to incorporate choreography and dance into my shows is so fun.'

Among his favorite highlights: a cover of Sabrina Carpenter's ‘80s comeback hit, 'Expresso.' Archuleta has also crafted dance mixes of his new single, 'Hell Together.'

Even with his new appreciation for letting loose and enjoying the celebratory aspects of Pride, Archuleta preserves the melancholy vibe that initially propelled him to fame.

His original version of 'Hell Together' is a tender tribute to his mother, who informed him three years ago that she would rather 'go to hell together' with him than remain part of a church that would reject him for his sexuality. Archuleta says the song aids him in releasing some of the emotions he encountered while coming out, overcoming suicidal thoughts, departing the church, and pursuing therapy.

'Rather Be Lonely' also presents Archuleta's vulnerable side, sharing the sentiments of fearing intimacy.Archuleta states that sharing his personal struggles 'helps him to not be alone.'

'That's how life is, full of these up and down moments,' he says. 'Maybe I'm all over the place with my music, but at the same time, I like to be real about every moment of life.'

Cedar Valley Pride Fest features a "strong" entertainment roster

Archuleta is just part of a two-day stage line-up that elevates the twelve-year-old Cedar Valley Pridefest to a new level, states co-founder Dave Deeds.

'One of the great things about our event and smaller prides is, they're only successful if you get a cross-section of the community to participate,' he stated. 'It's not just LGBTQ+ people, it's allies. It's people who are interested in learning more. One of the ways we get more community members engaged is by having a more robust entertainment schedule.'

The festival has broadened to two nights and four blocks over the years. This year's line-up features three further live performers Deeds mentioned are known to draw a crowd.

• Bell Bastien: This Detroit duo, formerly known as OneUpDuo, gained fame in 2020 as the first-ever LGBTQ couple on 'The Voice' (Season 15). They'll perform Friday evening.

• Carmit: This founding member of the pop supergroup The Pussycat Dolls is also a celebrated dancer who has toured with Ricky Martin, Beyonce, and Janet Jackson. She'll perform Saturday evening.

• Alisabeth Von Presley: A Cedar Rapids native whose accolades include appearing on ABC's 'American Song Contest' in 2022, Von Presley has also performed at Pride festivals throughout Iowa, Illinois, and nationwide, and takes the stage Friday night.

Also featured: transgender rocker Allegra Hernandez from Des Moines; silky-voiced Alyx Rush of Iowa City; 'genderqueer singing bassist' Miss Christine from Iowa City; five other bands and musicians; and drag performers throughout both festival days.

Admission to the festival is $25; order yours and learn more about the schedule at cedarvalleypride.com.

A version of this article originally appeared in the August 2024 print edition of The Real Mainstream. Subscribe here!