Goggles and snowsuits can’t hide The Archuleta.
The lovely Jonerz sent me this quote from the actor Benedict Cumberbatch (yes, that is his real name) on fame and I couldn’t help but think of David, and how he’s handled his “ever-shrinking island” of privacy, and other trade-offs for being a well-known face.
“You can’t imagine fame. You can only ever see it from an outsider and comment on it with the rueful wisdom of a non participant. When it happens to you, it doesn’t matter what age or how, it is a very steep learning curve. The important thing to realize in all of it is that life is short, to protect the ones you love, and not expose yourself to too much abuse or narcissistic reflection gazing and move on. If fame affords me the type of ability to do the kind of work I’m being offered, who am I to complain about the downsides. It’s all relative. And this are obviously very high class problems. The way privacy becomes an ever shrinking island is inevitable but also manageable and it doesn’t necessary have to get that way…”
I have always been impressed with the way David’s handled his “fame” since Star Search days. I noticed that whenever an interviewer asked him what it was like to be famous, he’d say something like, “It depends on what you mean by that word … more people know who I am now” … it really struck me what an accurate non-boastful way it was to describe celebrity.
Simply that more people know your face… and think they know you.
“If fame affords me the type of ability to do the kind of work I’m being offered, who am I to complain about the downsides.” In David’s case, you could think of that statement in terms of his music career but also the loftier goals he appears to set for himself … to help and serve others… to help and serve God.
What do you guys think? Will the assault on David’s privacy ever drive him from the music business? Or is he savvy enough to know that it’s part and parcel of the path he’s chosen to take? And will the fact that his career hasn’t blown up to Bieber-size proportions yet help him retain a more private personal life?
P.S.
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend all my fellow Canucks!!!!!!! Thankful for all of you guys… oh, and David, too! 🙂
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 
Happy Thanksgiving SAz’s! Cannot wait to see everyone at some DA performance in 2014!
I’ve always been impressed with the level of maturity Mr. Archuleta displayed during AI and beyond as to fame and celebrity as well as protecting his privacy. Wise old soul stuff. I believe he does music b/c it is what he was born to do, his passion, a god given talent and nothing will prevent that from happening.
Lots of celebs handle their privacy and the press respects their boundaries sooner or later. Of course, the greater the fame, the greater the intrusion. I believe David will handle what happens in the world of celebrity. His creativity/music won’t be denied. As far as how far he goes and how famous, only time will tell. I don’t think he looks at this as being famous or the best in his genre…more as an opportunity to express his craft, his gift to as many people as feasible. Humble, grateful with a wide open throttle and undeniable drive to sing.
Hey Deb, I’m glad you saw some interesting things in his statement like I did. 🙂
I think many celebrities develop a sort of love-hate relationship with their fans as they suddenly become popular and try to navigate between being accessible to the people that support their careers while attempting to maintain a level of privacy for themselves and I think that finding the right balance only comes with time and experience.
I have been obsessed with Sara Bareilles’s album “The Blessed Unrest”. There is a song called “Hercules” that reminds me of the struggle and strength that is required to maintain a piece of oneself in a demanding industry. Every time I listen to this song I think of how David might have been feeling under the burdening pressures of his career and why he might want to take a break. I also love how this song resonates exactly who David would look to for guidance. 🙂
Oh, and P.S., I wish my Canadian fan friends a Happy Thanksgiving! <3333
Have never had a single concern about him and any of the trappings of the industry. He just has a good head on his shoulders, as my grandma used to say.
Thanks jonerz, really like that, and your thoughts!
Happy Thanksgiving Canada!
Happy Thanksgiving, all you beautiful Canucks!
Like Emme, I’m not concerned about D. I WAS, but am not anymore.
He can’t bring himself to say the word celebrity, he turns it into another phrase.
Hi Tofan
I like this post – it provokes many deeper thoughts.
David is an unassuming person. He does not take his fame too seriously, nor his celebrity too seriously. What he wants is for more people to appreciate his music and to perceive the messages he feels he needs to convey; the extent of that success, one is bound to be optimistic. It is the reachability of his music and words that matter to him not his own celebrity which I believe he will always be embarrassed to talk about. I believe he will continue to protect his privacy, stay sane and down-to-earth. Narcissism, I doubt, will ever touch him. From his latest mission pictures, I still see the humility and modesty exuding from his eyes and from his total aura. (I don’t really ever want to talk about his eyes … those windows of his humble soul .. sigh …)
Hah! My name is trace or tracewillow, not that weird name that appeared. What happened to WordPress?!
Guess you’re an Ace! 😉 and I totally agree about narcissism never touching him. I think that’s one of the things that make him so rare and so pure as an artist.
I remember as far back as the Idol tour watching David interact with big crowds of fans at the buses and thinking how much I’d HATE doing that–and he was so happy!
And in other important business, let’s see if this link works: http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcardm.asp?code=4290610055172&ob=1&cont=1
I have enjoyed reading the post and the comments.
It has been an amazing many months of interesting and funny posts. I have my favourite one … Not certain of the title, but it involved living under the bridge. My husband said TOfan that you should be a stand-up comedian. I said, that you are for us already and definitely right when we needed it!
“Happy Thanksgiving” …. I hope you all enjoy this beautiful fall weekend!
SB
A very Happy Thanksgiving to all! Yes, enjoying this beautiful fall weekend with family, friends and much gratitude. Loving everyone’s comments here.
Jonerz, can relate to Sara’s song when it comes to D, thanks for that, love Sara too.
missbianca….love the card, so warm, sweet and vibrant!
Really enjoyed reading this post….”The way privacy becomes an ever shrinking island is inevitable but also manageable and it doesn’t necessary have to get that way…”
Have a feeling that David will be very good at balancing and managing his own privacy and in some way always staying on his island and keeping afloat amidst his public life. His humble and grounded nature gives him an advantage and a good perspective on things. I’m sure the last two years will have strengthened him even more too. As you stated TOfan:
“is he savvy enough to know that it’s part and parcel of the path he’s chosen to take?”
Think he is. 🙂
Been gone; catching up. First, an almost-too-late but sincere Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends!
Second, in regard to David and fame? Based on how a young David has handled privacy issues in the past–and there have been some crazy incidents/rumors, both here and abroad–I really don’t worry about David and fame. I tend to worry more about other people and David’s fame. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving peeeps…………. so thankful for (((((((((TOfan))))))) and this site!!
Good thoughts on David and fame.> I really can’t add a thing but will try!! The word that comes to mind when I think about David and his fame is “grace” He is ALWAYS so grace filled in how he acts towards fans as well as media peeps and everyone he comes in contact with. Seems his lack of ego really helps him keep “fame” in a good healthy perspective!
I think he he savvy enough to balance fame and privacy…..
Totally agree re David’s lack of ego… some of his fans seem to have a bigger head than he does, lol… Happy Thanksgiving SAZ!
WHY HAVE I NEVER SEEN THIS PICTURE!!!!!???? *drops dead* *heads are gonna roll*
*ahem*.. well, I agree w/Nancy “I think he is savvy enough to balance fame and privacy…..” especially now while he’s serving. I think the team has it under control. When home, I know you can’t have your cake and eat it too, but there are times I wouldn’t want to be him. Especially when he decides to court a young lady. AND word on this from Anon “Totally agree re David’s lack of ego. Some of his fans seem to have a bigger head than he does, lol”