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17 Jan 2026 10:50
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  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    David Archuleta has gained more "confidence" since he quit the Mormon religion

    The 34-year-old pop singer grew up in a religious community where discussing sex was "discouraged," but now that he has left all that behind, he feels as if he can be more open about it all with himself


    He told UsWeekly: "I like to be a little more sensual, a little more in touch with my body and my sexuality and just being confident in who I am.

    ""It takes a little growing into that sometimes, but it feels great to do.

    "It's discouraged. It's often looked down upon because it's, like, you're not supposed to talk about sex. You're not supposed to talk about sensuality because it's inappropriate, it's disrespectful, your body's a temple, and you're supposed to be just very reserved. Now that I'm not practicing in the Mormon religion anymore, it's like, 'Well, now I can do what I want - even if it's a little shocking for people."

    The former 'American Idol' star admitted that even though his new single 'Creme Brulee' is not as raunchy as some many think, he wants to use it as a platform to discuss the standards often set out by religious beliefs.

    He said: It's not like I'm shooting porn in front of everybody. Like, you can be in touch. It's a part of the human experience, and I think we should talk about it more. I grew up [with,] 'No sex before marriage' and, like, 'Don't even take your clothes off if you're dating someone and see any part of their body.' It's, like, if we're consenting adults and we like each other, it's OK to explore that."

    David previously admitted that he did not understand the heteronormative expectations laid out to him when it was "clear" to him that he had "strong feelings" towards other boys.

    He told People: "My sexuality has been a part of me. It's something that I've felt. I can't say I was fully aware of it, but I knew something was different about me, starting from when I was a little kid in elementary school. People would start talking about crushes. I started feeling that for girls, but then I started feeling it for guys. I was like, "Wait, I was always told that this was supposed to be for a girl, so why am I feeling it for boys?"' I felt really embarrassed. Like how Elsa [from 'Frozen'] would say, conceal it, don't let them in, try to hold it all inside. Growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, everything is about marriage, everything is about having a spouse and creating children with them. But each time that I was trying to date a girl, it was clear that my feelings were equal [to] if not even stronger for guys. I was like, 'There must be something wrong with me.'"

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

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