David Archuleta Was Shunned by Members of His Former Church at Recent Funeral (Exclusive)

On Monday, singer-songwriter David Archuleta honored the late George Michael with a star on the Path of Angels in front of Los Angeles nonprofit Project Angel Food, and shared an emotional speech about the influence the Wham! frontman has had on his life.

Following the unveiling, the "Crush" singer opened up to The Messenger about how he's navigating life in the public eye since coming out in June 2021 and his ongoing relationship with the Mormon church.

Archuleta regularly faces and faces off with homophobic comments on social media and in real life, with some audience members even walking out of his shows.

He told The Messenger that he's now closing a chapter. "Those were my people," he said, referring to the Mormon church. "That's all I knew up until two years ago. And I kept trying to get their approval, trying to get accepted, trying to help them understand. A lot of them have, and I'm so grateful to them, but..."

Before coming out, Archuleta was really "under the wing" of his church's organization. "Not only that, but they kind of put me on this pedestal."

On Friday, Archuleta attended a funeral for one of his former church leaders but found that he was "treated very differently."

"Before," he said, "I was part of the family, I was accepted. But this time, I just kind of put to the side, not really greeted by anyone other than a couple of people. And it was just...I realized they've moved on from me."

He related that he's "tried to have conversations with all of them and they're just kind of showing me like, we don't care." Now he's wondering, "Why am I still trying to get their approval? I've left."

"They look at that as the worst betrayal in the world. They weren't willing to listen to why, and the heartbreak I experienced," he continued. "I'm kind of like, you know what, I can move on. Why am I still trying to be and act like them when they don't want me anymore? So I'm like, you know what? Screw it. I'm just gonna be me."

"I'm just gonna try and be bold like the way George Michael was and stop apologizing, because they don't care. I can keep apologizing for the rest of my life and it still won't be enough for them, so screw it."

Now, he said he has come to the realization that you have to surround yourself with people who are open to listening and learning.

"You can keep trying to change people's minds and some of them will maybe change, but you can't wait for them," he noted. "You have to move on. It's hard to move on. It can be painful because you're saying goodbye to a big part of your past and your identity. But I think it's worth creating a new identity to live your life and be free and be happy and be accepted."

During the 2008 American Idol finale, the runner-up sang Michael's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" as "a closeted 17-year-old." All these years later, the song has taken on a completely different meaning.

After coming out, Archuleta recalled he listened to "George Michael and Elton John singing ['Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me'] together over and over and over again on repeat, because it meant so much to me to hear two queer artists who came out in the public eye at a time when that wasn't okay to be [queer]."

"There weren't rights for that, and so much judgment and discrimination. The fact that they were so bold and courageous to do that, and make the statement that they did."

Ahead of unveiling Michael's star on Project Angel Food's Path of Angeles, Archuleta cried on the podium as he reflected on the full-circle connection. "If we lose sight of who we are, we forfeit everything," he said.

The song's lyrics "are a plea, a reminder that hiding our true selves robs us of life itself. When we look at ourselves, are we proud of who we see or are we looking at a stranger? Let’s not let the light go out, let’s not let the sun go down, let’s not be left in the darkness of the fear of being seen for who we really are."

Archuleta struggled with his sexuality and religion for over a decade, even reaching a point where "the thought crossed my mind that ending my life would be easier than coming out." However, "That song just took a whole new meaning to me coming out and trying to learn to say, 'please just let me be, accept me, embrace me.'"

"And whether you do or not, I don't want to let the sun go down on me, because it's losing everything, letting the sun go down on me."

Michael's star dedication ceremony marked the 25th anniversary of
his Project Angel Food volunteer work and the press conference he held in the organization's kitchen the Monday before Thanksgiving in 1998.

"His presence drew focus to the organization's mission of providing sustenance to individuals living with HIV/AIDS," a statement for the ceremony read. "The ongoing support from George Michael's estate continues to significantly contribute to this cause, upholding his legacy of support."

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You are not alone.