I’m sure most of you visiting here have watched David Archuleta’s 50+-minute Instagram video by now. But if you haven’t, I strongly encourage you to. [TRIGGER WARNING, however: It’s raw, it’s emotional, and he discusses suicidal ideation and trauma.]
He bares his soul as a way to work through some of the struggles he’s dealing with right now. I especially recommend watching it if you were raised in a faith tradition (like my own, for example, Roman Catholicism) that prohibits same-sex marriage and has a history of making people have to choose between their faith and their sexuality.
I also encourage you to read through the comments on the post. There are so many beautiful ones. Like this one:
“Go forth and dance”… I love that and hope David does just that.
As difficult as the video is to watch, the raw truth he shares is so important.
I know that each one of us wants nothing more than David to be happy, so it’s gut-wrenching to watch him struggle like this.
It’s also difficult not to feel anger and resentment at the forces that have caused him to literally hate himself FOR DECADES! ๐ฅ How anyone could watch David pour his heart out like this and still oppose same-sex marriage is beyond me.
Like many of you, I sobbed through much of the video and hope and pray David is learning to love himself and find the peace and joy he so deserves.
I also hope he postpones his tour until he can give himself the care and healing he needs to restore his mental health and wellness. But if he does go ahead with it, hopefully he’ll feel the love from the crowds, reconnect with his sense of purpose and see, up close, the positive difference he’s making in the world.
Seeing David perform on the New Year’s Eve PBS United in Song special was nothing short of magical.
First, he slayed Movin’… when you watch, check out how the orchestra and conductor are bopping along and smiling.
Oozing charisma like a volcano blasts lava, David moved and grooved across the stage and added vocal flourishes that made me fall in love with the song all over again.
And those backup singers?? Amazing!
But then True Colors… oh sweet peaches, that blew me away. If you think “oh, I’ve heard David sing that a million times,” THINK AGAIN!!!
You have NEVER heard it like this. The arrangement was so deliciously full of surprises, I was hypnotized, so mesmerized. ๐ For real, though. Totally blew me away.
I can’t get over how David can still surprise me with his talent. We’ve listened to his songs and watched his performances over the years, so you begin to think we’ve seen all he has to offer. HA! As if.
Then he does something like this interpretation of True Colors. So soft and tender in the beginning, making every phrase count. Telling that story in a brand new way. Making the meaning hit home like never before. I got choked up, it was so beautiful.
And little touches like saving the lyric “like a rainbow” until the very end (usually it’s repeated throughout the song). Genius. And the smile that spreads across his face when he sings that last line. Glorious. ๐
And at the end, how the crowd erupts in cheers and wild applause… LOVE. IT.
I was able to watch it on my PBS app, but try THIS LINK (Movin’ is at about 32 minutes in, and True Colors at about 1:14).
Does anything capture the mood of this pandemic more than hiding under the covers surrounded by pillows?? Just me? mkay.
On David Archuleta’s birthday today, what could be a better time to rank our King’s preference for fluffy, cottony cushions?
So here we go, using my own personal ranking system formulated after months of perfecting algorithms, consulting focus groups, and flipping coins.
Losing Sleep pillows
Okay, these pillows are clearly the gold standard where the David pillow-verse is concerned. Could he look any comfier? Even though he’s singing about being melatonin- and sleep-deprived, these cloud-like cushions look like they dropped from heaven. Ranking 10/10.
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Tik Tok @muffymarraco Trivia Challenge
In contrast to the Losing Sleep set-up, here David looks like someone tucked him in like a human burrito. I’m guessing foam- not down-filled, with an excess of starch in the pillowcase… give the boy some Downy, for Pete’s sake! Ranking 2/10.
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Tik Tok Miley’s 16th Birthday chat
If you read the comments on this one, some peeps suspected David was high, hahaha… pillows high on thread count, I say!!! That smile says it all. Obvs these pillows were super soft and comfy, inducing a dreamy euphoria akin to, um, birthday cake. ๐ Ranking 7/10.
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Tik Tok @djgallixc jamming
How comfortable were these pillows? So luxurious that David did two, count ’em, TWO TTs where he’s jamming to this DJ’s tunes. Pillow dancing is a rare talent but David clearly excels… ‘natch. Ranking 8/10.
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Up All Night reflections
These pillows look flat and lifeless but hey, they were clearly from the prop department so they were likely filled with sawdust and diminished expectations. But they did work well for the scenes of the rooftop gathering reflected on them, so hey, that’s show biz! Ranking: 5/5.
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Nandito Ako pillowscenes
Who knew Nandito Ako had so many pillow scenes?? Score! lol The first one was hilarious as David appears be lying on wood planks with his head on a cardboard box wrapped in fabric. Ranking: 2/10.
The second one gives us some homey flashes of coloured linens (with David nursing a sore head… was that from the altercation with the oar-wielding dude on the beach?). Ranking 5/10.
And the last one is a hospital pillow… say no more. Ranking 2/10.
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In conclusion:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAVID!!!
MAY ALL YOUR DAYS BE FILLED WITH JOY AND WONDER AND ALL YOUR PILLOWS FILLED WITH THE SOFT DOWN OF A BABY UNICORN!!!!!
Confession: I’m sad this Christmas. A lot of personal and family challenges going on, and it’s the first David Archuleta Christmas tour I’ve had to miss. ๐ฆ
But what keeps me doing? You guessed it! David’s incredible music and very essence.
Here’s a tribute to Christmas tours gone by, highlighting my faves from each tour. Please share yours in the comments!
And I wish each and every one of you reading this a blessed, peaceful holiday season and the very best wishes for the New Year!! โค โค โค
2009 Christmas From the Heart Tour
Who could forget this epic moment during HYAMLC in Westbury (last show of the tour) when Ray surprised David by joining in for a duet. David: “You know a lot about olden days, right?” bahahaha solid *BURNNN*!!!!
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Bonus feature:
2009 Larry King Live
I know we’ve all heard Pat-a-Pan a bunch, but never quite like this. The change ups David does at the end ON LIVE TV!!! blew me away then and still do now. Amazing.
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2010 MoTab
This was the year David sent all of us into a ticket-request mail-in panic! But boy, was it all worth it. An epic series of shows in SLC followed by a PBS special (DVD etc.) the following year. The whole experience was once-in-a-lifetime but the Cat & the Mouse carol still has my heart. He made you feel like you were right there in the manger with them.
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2011 My Kinda Christmas Tour
Hands down, my fave from that tour was This Christmas. Here it is in Verona, which was a crazy, awesome show with a crazy, awesome crowd as you can hear! The band was on FIYAH, as was David!! Enjoy!!
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[inter MISSION … get it?? mwahaha, sorry, couldn’t resist]
2014 Celebration of Christ
This was David’s first public performance after returning from his mission in Chile and this song just blew me away, especially the big finish! Hauntingly beautiful, and Pentatonix’s Kevin Olusola was incredible on the cello!
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2015 Christmas shows
There wasn’t a 2015 Christmas tour per se, but a few special Christmas shows, including this one in Layton. Fun fact: A total last minute thing, I flew from the end of my vacation in Florida to meet up with Refnaf in Layton for these 3 shows… I had no winter coat with me, bahahaha. WORTH IT!!!!
Loved this All I Want for Christmas/Last Christmas/Jingle Bell Rock medley… so much fun!!!
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2016 Christmas Tour with Nathan Pacheco
I bet you thought I was going to post The Prayer! lol *plot twist* This is my sketchy long-distance video from the Indy show that year. The whole show was amazing but this duet of Little Drummer Boy blew me away!! Love the arrangement and the harmonies, incredible!
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Bonus feature:
When David blew us away with an off-the-cuff Ave Maria during VIP, I cried buckets of tears and have still not fully recovered. Just wow.
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2017 Calgary
Woooot!!! David’s first ever concert in Canada!!! It was a Christmas miracle!! It was near impossible to take any videos, they were super strict, but I did manage to get audio of my fave number… you guessed it, This Christmas! The change-ups he does throughout and at the end are inCREDible!!
Bonus feature:
This hat ceremony was so awesome!!
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2018 Winter in the Air tour
So many favourites from this tour but if I had to pick one, I’d say Winter in the Air. Just magical… even though it makes me cry like a baby. Every. Single. Time.
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Bonus feature:
Love the whole Navidad album, have been listening to it a lot lately. And we got this gem in 2018.
2019 Christmas Tour
Did this tour have a name? eek, I can’t remember, lol. Anyways… this entire show was my favourite because it’s the last time I’ve gotten to see David perform live. *SOBS*
From dancing like a fool to Christmas Every Day and MCHH… to weeping to Winter in the Air and MLP, this show had EVERYTHING. If I had to pick just one, I’ll pick this mashup:
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Bonus feature:
This video for The Christmas… and not just because Ref & I are in it making… wait for it… SNOW ANGELS!!!!
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2020 What a Wonderful Way to End a Crazy Year
Love this song so much!! Who knew it would still be so relevant today? {{{{group hug}}}}
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2021 David Archuleta Christmas Tour
Sad to have to sit this one out, from from the clips I’ve seen, these are my faves. O Holy Night is always a fave but this clip had me crying from the get-go… as did MLP.
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And this special performance of Silent Night with the Turtle Creek Chorale is deeply moving.
as;dlkfjaklfdjalkdfjlakjflafjlafalsdkfjakfjak THE BEAST VIDEOOOOO!!!!
It’s some kinda wonderful, yes it is!!!
I wasn’t expecting something so cinematic, so… dark! I mean, I know that’s what the song is about… those dark places we all experience in relationships when your trust issues catch up with you… (just me? mkay :)) … but I guess I expected the video to have CGI or animation where a beast pops out of sweet David or something, lol. More like Monsters Inc. than Friday the 13th. ๐
This video definitely made me appreciate the song even more, which is what videos are supposed to do, right?
Anywayyyyys… how much do you love it??!! Here’s my own personal deconstruction on what was going through my twisted mind at various points. Please share yours!!!
Okay, the car is empty. Instant intrigue. I feel like I’m watching an episode of Vera or Law & Order… starring David! This girl is gorgeous and I love her dress. Oh, and David is clearly not speeding, so she’s smiling.Very cool place for David to be sitting… I thought maybe a luggage carousel because that’s how he rolls (heh heh).David wandering alone down an empty street … searching for snacks?David looking all moody and stylish in a very cool outfit… the aviator jacket rocks and I appreciate that the director included lots of shots of those awesome boots. ๐Hello, symbolism alert!! The backdrop of the gate… jailed by your inner demons… bars holding you from your true happiness… okay, I’ll stop now.My favourite part!!! Going up the down escalator!!! What a powerful metaphor! And NOT easy to do (I have tried, lol)… props to David’s upper body strength and overall awesomeness.Something just hit him like a full moon. Seriously though, this part really got me! The Beast struggling to be released! Strong Thriller vibes!That look! “What did I say??!!” *SOBS* Man, his acting is SO convincing! Josh Bradley 2.0!!!I didn’t notice her lack of coat (but Refnaf mentioned it to me… since David’s wearing a warm, cozy jacket and she’s not) so I’m going to say maybe she was so ticked at him she stomped off and left it in the back seat? Sidenote: If you’re going to storm off in a huff, that is one spooky street to do it on… sooo glad he went after her! Moral of the story: A Beast can still be a gentleman.More shots of the full outfit and snazz footwear. I approve.Costume change! Love this red jacket! I do hope the car was in park, however.Moody, pensive David strolling the mean streets. “Whyaren’t any ice cream parlors open?? IT’S MY CHEAT DAY!!!“You can feel the angst oozing from him like sap from a haunted tree… jam from a jelly donut?Back to lying on the car, David ponders the meaning of existence… or is taking a nap.Not gonna lie, David on the bridge made me nervous… especially since he looked so upset. (Maybe because the Therapy Sessions window is cramping my screen shots style! lol) Breathe, I say to myself, just breathe!Back on the car hood. Defeated? Resigned? Or resting up so he can face the future back in the driver’s seat? (That dang TS window sure brings out MY beast inside! ๐ )
How about you guys??!!! Thoughts?? Feelings?? All of the above?!
Gaaaaahhhhhhhh!!! Soooooo excited for this news. David will ROCK this!! (โnatch)
I remember going to see Joseph when Donny Osmond was touring with the show and they came to Toronto.
Iโll never forget just before the curtain went up, they announced an understudy would be doing the role that night … not Donny.
I was disappointed but felt so badly for the understudy when the crowd erupted in a collective groan. #Awkward … Poor Guy had to then come out and do the whole show knowing how disappointed everyone was. ๐ฌ
Anywayyyys, the understudy was great, the show was great and David will be so amazing!!!
Okay, so we all know David Archuleta is releasing a children’s book called My Little Prayer soon (woooot!!!) … [note: if you’ve fallen, got trapped under something heavy and haven’t ordered it yet, do so HERE.]
But did you know that David Archuleta has also released this fascinating tome:
Full disclosure:
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I choose to believe this is our very own David Archuleta.
That he’s been taking time during the pandemic to get his BA, MS and MBA… because he’s super smart like that.
And that he wants to share even more of the fitness lessons he gave us in this video:
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Here are some sneak peek illustrations from the book (not really ๐ ):
ABS-olutely mahvelous. (And yes, that is what he should’ve called the book.)
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I’m not 100% sure what a “Dad’s bod” is… I mean, if it refers to my dad, the diet entails bran, rice pudding and lots of grilled cheese sandwiches.
But I trust David and if anyone knows how to look good even while doing excruciating squat grimaces, it is certainly him!
Cannot wait to get my copy, which goes perfectly with this song!
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p.s.
PSA: You need this performance of Patient in your life, trust me!!
Fans asked and Mr. David Archuleta answered! With three ways to get Movin’!!
What’s your fave? OG YouTube, After Hours Insta or Movin’ FB?
I’m leaning toward the YouTube original (‘cuz I listen to both versions and love them both) but there’s something so West Side Story about the FB version choreography that I love! lolol
So if you can’t keep up with Mr. David Archuleta these days… between interviews, lives and podcasts, oh my! … you are not the only one.
I’m putting these lives and interviews here in one post because (a) they’re awesome and amazing, (b) selfishly, for myself, so I can rewatch at my leisure, and (c) just ‘cuz.
First up is David’s recent insta live where he covered some of Yebba’s songs and made me yearn even more for a collab * starts prayer circle *…
Next up is the TikTok live (which I also missed when it was live so thank youuuu to
Enrique Iglesias fan club for posting on YouTube!!):
Then we have this amazing interview with Yahoo Entertainment. So many deep, wonderful thoughts, I need to rewatch!!
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p.s.
Among all the profoundly wise insights, this might also be my favourite part:
Not sure which live this was in, but when someone asked about his skin care routine and he does an extreme closeup in different lighting to show his “flaws” and he basically just reinforced how perfect his skin is. ๐ ๐ ๐
I shouldn’t really be posting rn, have some difficult family health issues going on, but you all know how comforting it is to hear David sing… and talk! … there’s just something about his voice, and how honest and real he is that helps me feel centred and less alone. So I just had to share in case anyone missed this.
What an inspiring, interesting, deep conversation this was. If you haven’t heard it yet, I’m not spoiling anything to say that, although Lindsey and Derek both had some wonderful insights and advice on their topic — Path to Acceptance — it was David’s words that I truly felt in my heart. Am I a little biased?? Um, perhaps, lol.
But maybe not. It seemed as though both Lindsey and Derek were struck by the raw openness and deeply personal experiences David shared in such a beautiful, real, heartfelt way. Let me know if you found that too.
Crazy Stupid Fangirls (aka us, hahahaha)
This podcast was also great to listen to… some fun and laughs but also very moving and enlightening.
Be sure to read the comments on the YouTube… my fave: “If David Archuleta started a church today I WILL GO!” ๐ ๐ ๐
Man, David has been BUSY!!!
Some other great interviews!!
In this one, he talks about Syesha’s heartbreaking story… and possibly A NEW EP!!!!
(I am so thrilled to hear about a possible EP because I’ve been playing Losin’ Sleep, Be That For You and both versions of Movin’ on a loop and they sound AWESOME together!! And he has another couple of songs up his tie-dyed sleeves??!! Wooooooot!!!!
This one, in Vanity Teen, in which he says, “โEvery time I feel this deep euphoric sensation in a moment of a special song, I feel like the heavens open up and I see a glimpse of God for who He really is.โ
(sidenote: I remember telling David in a VIP once that when he sang O Holy Night, it felt like the clouds parted and light streamed through with an angel chorus singing “HALLELUJAHHHHH!!!” sorry, I digress, lol)
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 