Okay, so David posted this TikTok following the “Teenage Dirtbag” trend. Dude, missed opportunity! Here are the pics you should’ve used to show the world your Teenage Dirtbagness.
Exhibit A:
From your debut album cover shoot. It screams “I may look sweet but I am so edgy I wear TWO T-SHIRTS! AND A STRIPED BELT!! Because I can.”
Exhibit B:
If you look up Teenage Dirtbag in the dictionary, this is the exact picture you’ll find. If the dictionary had pictures, that is.
I mean, he’s literally breaking in to someone’s apartment. For snacks, but still.
Exhibit C:
Such a dirt bag! Shoes on the bed???!!! Come ON!!!
Exhibit D:
Walking through puddles without boots is a classic dirtbag move. And no coat?? Rebel without a cause stuff, my friends.
Exhibit E:
This piano didn’t break itself. Know what I’m sayin’??
Exhibit F:
Here, Kristie Lee is trying to talk some sense into David for his teenage dirtbag antics. You know, like… like… I dunno, looking cuter than she does??
Exhibit G:
Um, kinda obvious… where there’s dirt…..
Exhibit H:
Shirt not tucked in. Tie askew. Pretending to be adorbs but actually plotting to dismantle the heteronormative patriarchy. The whole dirtbag package.
Exhibit I:
Confession: Nothing dirtbag about this one, just always loved this album cover. ❤
p.s.
ICYMI, here’s the video highlight reel for Joseph… if you haven’t seen it yet, GO! GO! GOOOOO!!!!! And let us know what you think in the comments!!!
Where do I begin? I want to tell you about a musical about dreams coming true and I feel like my dreams just did come true. I mean, getting to see the one, the only, David Archuleta in an Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece?! Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat??!! To quote one of his Idol songs, “In This Moment,” how can a window encompass perfection?
And the whole experience was just that… perfection.
Oh, except the weather, lol.
The Tuacahn amphitheatre is stunningly beautiful but it’s also completely outdoors! Which is awesome on a starry night but totally stressful when thunder starts rumbling, lightning starts flashing and the rain starts sprinkling your plastic poncho (a garment so hot I felt like stripping down to what David was wearing … or should I say not wearing! 😆 … throughout the show… more on that later 🙂 ).
Here’s my shot of the dark clouds… yikes.
The show was on hold at first… waiting to see if it was safe to continue… but the crowd was so much fun, I almost forgot I was terrified that (a) the show would be cancelled, or (b) David would be hit by lighting and get an unexpected perm.
I mean, we all did the wave a few times (why is that always so much fun? lol), then together we all sang “Don’t Stop Believin'” “YMCA,” “We Will Rock You,” and, lastly, Happy Birthday to someone’s grandma (led by a great group of theatre students in the back rows). Then miraculously the show went on!!! (After a towelling down of the stage, when the crowd started chanting, “LET’S GO, STAGE CREW!!)
Someone behind me said, “Do you think David Archuleta wants to slip and slide on his butt down those stairs?” Excellent point. However, he did tumble off the edge of the stage near the beginning, when twirling around to show everyone his new coat and the wind seemed to catch it and blow him over… thankfully people in the front helped him right back up and he didn’t miss a beat. What a pro!
Finally the big moment came and the show started. I don’t think it’s giving away any spoilers to say the roar of the crowd when David made his appearance was deafening. And not just from me. I got actual chills. It’s the first time I’ve heard his voice live since 2019 and I wasn’t prepared for how emotional that made me. Not exaggerating when I say he sounds better than ever.
I also wasn’t prepared for how hilarious he was… we all kinda know that… but he was doing it in character, both physical comedy, his facial expressions, little gestures, one-liners and interactions with the rest of the cast (who were incredibly talented).
Joseph’s “brothers” were incredible… dancing, comedy, beautiful harmonies on “Those Canaan Days.”
Then, after one hysterically funny scene, he somehow transitions to a dark, intense, powerful performance of Close Every Door that brought me to tears. It was made even more dramatic by the actual lightning bolts lighting up the sky. I’ve taken the liberty of drawing them into this professional photo to give you an idea.
And as much as I didn’t want it to be raining (and slippery on stage for everyone), watching a shirtless David covered in dew drops belting out Close Every Door from the edge of the stage while lightning flashed over his head is not something I’ll ever forget. Like, wow.
The pace of the show is also lightning fast with incredible choreography, funny set-pieces and a sweet children’s choir that joins in all the fun. The narrator (played by Katie Lamark) has an amazing voice and I loved the way she interacted with the other characters, Joseph included… a real highlight.
More highlights are seeing David’s acting chops in action … let’s just say Josh Bradley’s all grown up 🙂 … you get to see him play happy, terrified, confused, delighted, scary, bossy, hilarious… the whole David Enchilada!
I think what I loved most about it all was how the director and his team tailored the show for David’s personal journey. He starts in a leather jacket and jeans, holding a microphone as if he’s doing a concert, wearing a black tie that reminded me of his mission suit. Then, at the end, that outfit comes back (minus the tie).
All goes silent, a mist rises, and David starts to sing a cappella:
I closed my eyes, drew back the curtain To see for certain what I thought I knew Far far away, someone was weeping But the world was sleeping Any dream will do
Before he started singing, you could literally hear a pin drop, it was so silent… it was like everyone was holding their breath.
Then, as David walks up the tall stairs, each one lights up in a rainbow colour… I was an emotional mess. He stands tall at the top revealing the rainbow lining of his jacket… David himself has a rainbow lining… accckkk I’m getting emotional again just typing this, it was so beautiful.
I apologize if I’ve given away too much, I’ve tried not to, there are so many fun surprises in the show. Hearing and feeling the love of the sold out crowds for David was also thrilling. (And hearing people around me say things like, “he is so good!” and “his voice is incredible!”) The megamix number at the end gets everyone on their feet, and the whole cast gets a great ovation but for sure, the biggest cheers are for David when he comes back in his amazing dreamcoat. Here’s my capture of the ending twirl.
This dream came true for me and I’m so grateful… but I also have another dream… for everyone to see this!! Really hope this production either goes to Broadway or they record a live version and share.
Go! Go! Go! David!!! … any dream will do!!!!
Some links to check out for more pecs… I mean pics!!!!:
In case you missed it, here’s David Archuleta’s insta live from yesterday. It’s got everything! A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer… on the floor. 🙂
The question in Spanish is “What does it feel like to be gay?” And David’s reply (paraphrasing courtesy of the lovely Donna) is:
“It is all I have known, so it just feels like me. I don’t know how it feels to be heterosexual, though I have tried many times, for most of my life, until I published my message last year. I tried to deny it and tried to get married to women three times but they always said, ‘you are so cold.’ They wanted a connection but I couldn’t give that to them.”
And in case you don’t get a chance to read through all the comments, here are some beautiful, eloquent replies from David. He speaks so purely from the heart like no one I’ve ever seen. So incredibly proud to be a fan of his, more now than ever before. (And, like, I was a pretty big fan before, hahaha.). The first bunch are his reply to this comment 😥 :
“My heart breaks for you. Yes, God is full of grace, but He doesn’t forgive perpetual sin. We all sin, it’s whether we act on that sin. And not everyone is meant to marry David, so you may be one who is meant to just exist how you are but do not act on your sin and do not marry. I will continue to pray for you.”
Beautifully put, David, just beautiful. ❤ ❤ ❤
Also love this comment:
And if you want to hear the two singing parts again… because David… here you go:
Hi guys, it’s been a minute, lol. But I wanted to share these links for anyone who missed seeing David at the LoveLoud festival last night. As the lovely and amazing Tina said in her comment, he was “incandescent.”
Here’s video taken by the lovely Melissa from right in the crowd! Those cheers! ❤ (Thank you, Melissa!!!!!)
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I’m still feeling overwhelmed from watching the livestream (soooo grateful for that, btw), I can’t imagine how powerful it must’ve been to be there live.
So many feelings came pouring through for me. Everything David said. How emotional he got. That he was speaking — and singing! — publicly for the first time in months! How precious that beautiful voice of his is, how healing it is, and yet he needs to heal. What a risk he was taking testing out his voice in such a huge venue at such a large event because he needed to give a message of love and support to LGBTQIA+ youth. It was just too much, just too much… in a good way, lol.
When David got choked up when he first came on stage … realizing that when he recorded the intro clip a couple of years ago, not only did he still have dark hair but that he was still in the dark about his true self… it took me right back to the night of his mission “Announcement”… in 2011, also in SLC.
I’ve never been able to go back and watch that video and now I think I know why. We know now (from what David’s shared in videos and interviews) that back then, he was in a broken place. (I mean, he even wrote a song not long after called “Broken” 😥 ) He was desperate then to “change” himself, to leave everything behind and try to “fix” himself. It literally pains me to watch that announcement and maybe, even though I didn’t know what was going on with him then, on some level those dark feelings came through? idk, I may be way far off… hindsight is always 20/20, right? lol
But it felt like his tears last night came from a place where he’s been putting those broken pieces back together… finally starting to feel whole… in his words, not being afraid of who he is any longer but seeing the beauty we have always seen and felt in him.
It’s the complete opposite of the announcement vid for me, I could watch this one over & over and cry right with him, clutching my heart the whole time like I was last night, lol and loving the waves of love coming his way from that wonderful cheering crowd.
His words are always so meaningful and authentic and cut right to the heart of things but maybe because we missed hearing them for two long months, they hit home like never before:
“It’s a beautiful thing to be queer.”
“All of me is worth loving and all of you is worth loving.”
We love you, David! ❤
p.s.
I’ve made a donation and if you’d also like to do so (or to learn more), click: LoveLoud Foundation
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! 😥 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. 🙂 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. 🙂
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. 🙂 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. 😦
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!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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. 🙂
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. 🙂Hello, 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! 🙂 )
How about you guys??!!! Thoughts?? Feelings?? All of the above?!
Gaaaaahhhhhhhh!!! Soooooo excited for this news. David will ROCK this!! (‘natch)
I remember going to see Joseph when Donny Osmond was touring with the show and they came to Toronto.
I’ll 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. 😬
Anywayyyys, the understudy was great, the show was great and David will be so amazing!!!
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 