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David Archuleta’s ‘Devout’ Details Self-Imposed Homelessness, Abuse Allegations, and Break With LDS Church

He says the candid account aims to help LGBTQ youth feel less alone.

Overview

  • Published Feb. 17, the memoir is Archuleta’s first fully personal account after a 2010 book shaped by his management.
  • He writes that he chose to live in his car during the height of his fame because he felt unworthy of care, despite being able to afford housing.
  • Archuleta alleges years of emotional and verbal abuse and control by his father, who denies being abusive; he says his father later apologized and they now maintain boundaries.
  • He recounts suicidal thoughts in June 2021 before publicly coming out that year and leaving The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the next.
  • He says LDS apostle M. Russell Ballard told him leaders lacked full answers on LGBTQ issues and later stopped responding, and he continues to seek substantive dialogue with church leadership.