David Archuleta Responds to Hateful Comment: “I Have Never Felt Confidence in Myself Like I Have Today”
Three years after publicly coming out as LGBTQ, strong>David Archuleta still faces criticism from some former fans. In a recent Instagram post, the American Idol season 7 runner-up answered a cruel message that appeared to come from someone within the Mormon community, a faith he has discussed distancing himself from after coming out.
The message he addressed accused him of losing his faith and suggested that his happiness was only apparent because he was supposedly less pressured by religious expectations. That comment claimed the “light of Christ” was gone from his eyes and insisted he had “fallen to the ways of the world” rather than remaining true to his religious covenants. The commenter ended by expressing sorrow about broader cultural changes and praying for the return of their Savior.
David Kept a Smile on His Face Because “That’s What I Was Supposed to Do”
Archuleta replied with a candid, emotional message. He explained that for a long time he had to force a smile while privately struggling with whether he should continue living. He described the self-hatred he felt for being attracted to men and the pressure he was told to erase those feelings in order to be “pure.” That pressure led him to contemplate ending his life because he believed the parts of himself he could not change were inherently wrong.
He said he learned to present a happy, faithful persona because that’s what he was expected to show—an image meant to prove how joyful his beliefs made him. At the same time, he felt unable to be honest about who he was. Eventually, he described a turning point in which he prayed to be able to live as he had been created, even if that meant falling in love with a man and going against what many around him had taught.
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Archuleta emphasized that his own understanding of God led him to reject the fear-based judgments of others. He made clear that critics cannot dictate how he will live his life: their condemnation does not change his path forward. He urged anyone facing similar fears to know that a life lived honestly, even if it does not follow the rules of one’s childhood church, is still a life worth living.
“Allow Yourself to Love and Be Loved”
He closed his message with an appeal to embrace love. “Allow yourself to love and be loved,” he wrote, calling that feeling the most sacred and godly experience he has known. He explained that acceptance of himself brought a fuller sense of love and light than he had previously experienced.
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Many readers asked which photos the critic was referring to. In reality, since coming out David appears more at ease and authentic than ever. How he lives his life and who he loves are personal matters, and when he says he is happier and no longer suicidal after years of inner turmoil, his experience deserves respect.
In the post’s caption, Archuleta noted he expected increased scrutiny as he shares more of his life publicly—especially after being recognized in 2023 by OUT Magazine as part of their OUT100. He used the moment to speak directly to people who may be in similar places of pain and doubt.
“That’s on Them. Not on Me. Not on You.”
He wrote that despite others’ attempts to label his life as dark or sinful, he has never felt more confident or more loving toward himself. He named the perception of “darkness” as a projection of other people’s fear and judgment—an attitude they were taught, not an objective truth. “That’s on them. Not on me. Not on you,” he declared.
“Please don’t give up,” David implored fans who might be struggling with their sexuality. He urged anyone feeling judged or isolated to hold on and consider that acceptance and self-love are possible, even when the community around them expresses condemnation.
He also acknowledged the positives he still cherishes from his upbringing—faith, tradition, and community—but was clear that some teachings caused him to fear and hate parts of himself. Over time he learned that life does not have to be lived in fear and that neither faith nor community should require self-rejection.
David ended his post with a call for compassion and collective effort: to keep working together toward understanding, love, and acceptance. His message is both personal and universal—an invitation for others to find courage, seek help when they need it, and believe that a more authentic, joyful life is possible.