David Archuleta: Devout

David Archuleta's first-ever performance at Utah Pride 2025 drew in a crowd of hundreds--and now he's coming back to Utah to talk about his journey and the release of his book, Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself, alongside Jessi Draper of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. David will be signing books and taking photos with attendees after the talk. Join Under the Umbrella, Salt Lake City's only all-queer bookstore, for this celebration of Utahns' queer joy at Utah Museum of Fine Arts!

This event is ticketed. All tickets include the purchase of the book, Devout.

• Doors open at 6:15 pm, the event starts at 7 pm.
• Run time: 45-60 minutes, followed by a book signing and photo op line. Book signings will not be personalized.
• This venue is wheelchair accessible with wheelchair designated seating. Masks will be required and provided for the audience during the event, and ASL will be provided. Please reach out to Under the Umbrella for accessibility needs.

If you buy a ticket and are unable to attend

• We will hold your signed book at Under the Umbrella for 2 weeks after the event.

Guidelines

• Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
• There will not be a live stream or recording available.
• Under the Umbrella reserves the right to cancel or postpone this event if necessary.
• Masks are required for the audience and will be provided at the door.
• If you have any other questions, please feel free to email us at [email protected].

ABOUT 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.

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 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.

ABOUT :

On Season 7 of American Idol, David Archuleta made over 30 million television viewers swoon with his angelic voice, ultimately winning runner-up on the show at the age of seventeen. His journey has included turning out multiple platinum-selling hits, achieving global acclaim as a live performer, and emerging as an undeniable fixture on the pop-culture scene. Since his first single “Crush,” he has released eight studio albums, twenty-four singles, and twenty-one music videos. Hit singles “Crème Brulée” and “Hell Together” have marked a striking evolution and new chapter for David as an artist and creative entrepreneur while continuing to expand his audience globally. Having grown up as a poster child for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, David struggled to be his true self and didn’t come out as queer until 2021. He now advocates for members of the LGBTQ+ community. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

ABOUT JESSI DRAPER:

Jessi Draper is the founder and owner of JZ Styles, a high-end salon, hair extension brand, and styling school based in Utah. She is also a star of Hulu’s hit series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, where she shares her life, business, and journey as an entrepreneur. Through her authentic presence on YouTube and TikTok, Jessi built a loyal following by sharing real, behind-the-scenes hair and business. Known for her blend of business savvy, creativity, and authenticity, Jessi continues to inspire through entrepreneurship, reinvention, and modern storytelling!

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