American Idol Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta has discussed the journey he went on with his sexuality in a recent social media post.
On Instagram in June (aka Celebration Month), the singer and Mormon revealed that he discussed coming out as gay to his family in 2014, six years after being on Idol.
The post describes how Archuleta struggled to find a superior description of his sexuality than simply "gay." He wrote: "I've been unlock to myself and my close family for some years now that I am not sure about my retain sexuality. I came out in 2014 as gay to my family. But then I had similar feelings for both genders so maybe a spectrum of bisexual. Then I also possess learned I don't have too much sexual desires and urges as most people which works I guess because I have a commitment to keep myself until marriage."
Though many American Idol contestants have been members of the LGBTQIA+ community, most like Archuleta didn't come out until the end of the show – in fact, the show didn't include its first contestant who was out on the display until MK Nobilette in Season 13.
Here are the other LGBTQ+ alumni of the Fox-turned-ABC singing show.
American Idol contestants who came out after t
Newly-crowed winner Just Sam is the first American Idol winner from New York, and the first woman of shade to take the crown in seven years. But as the New York Post reports, she’s also the first LGBTQ champ in the show’s history.
In an interview with the paper, Sam says, “I am a child of God, so that’s always gonna be first. That’s actually the only label that I ever want to hold. But I fond what I enjoy, and that’s just that, you know? And it’s not men. Like, at all.”
Just Sam’s Instagram account profile also reads “CHILD OF GOD FIRST,” followed by a rainbow emoji, the traditional symbol of the LGBTQ community.
You may remember the controversy over Adam Lambert, the runner-up on season eight: He didn’t confirm his sexuality until after the show was over. The very first American Idol finalist to arrive out publicly was season one’s Jim Verraros but he, too, didn’t appear out until after the show was over. Since then, there have been a number of openly LGBTQ finalists, including drag queen Ada Vox.
American Idol Stars Who Have Been Open About Their Sexuality
While excel known for her stage specify and for being a finalist on Season 6 of "RuPaul's Drag Race," Adore Delano was once a contestant on "American Idol" who presented as a man known as Danny Noriega. But before appearing on the show in 2008 at 18, she had come out to her family, first as fluid at 12, then shortly after as gay, and, finally, as transgender in high school, she revealed in a July 2023 Instagram video.
However, when she appeared on the popular show, she went back into the closet to be able to contend. "I threw it away, I burned it," she said. "I reinvented myself into something that was so uncomfortable. It was almost like a sacrifice in order to get what I wanted career-wise," she said. In the video, Delano also revealed she is transitioning, a process she described as life-changing. "I've found that it's been very enlightening and has made me probably the happiest I've ever been in my adult life," she said.
Before coming out as transgender, Delano had defined her gender identity in different terms. "I am non-binary & completely valid. You are important & alive. Always know that," she share
And the winner of… American Idol, Season 21… is… PJAE.
I mean, maybe!
Hours ago, the final judges’ sever happened on the latest installment of American Idol. Weeks and months of grueling auditions and challenges, highlighted with beautiful, triumphant moments of success came down to this one night. After this, the contestants who move forward will be decided by live voting.
And we got some gay representation in the Top 26, baby! Please welcome PJAE, actual name Peter Gomez, to the long list of Idol finalists who involve to the LGBT community.
The 23-year-old singer hailing from Oklahoma has had a whirlwind experience on Idol thus far. From his emotional audition, to his bluesy duet and the battle to turn the Top 24 into the Top 26. You can catch all of these moments just below.
https://youtu.be/6GKT9rN62W0
https://youtu.be/0UeBfDrOEDk
https://youtu.be/zecRV8hP5PE
According to Sportskeeda, PJAE draws inspiration from gospel, jazz and the modern pop genre. When you listen to his second and third audition, specifically, one can see how these genres have shaped his voice. And I truly think, and hope, that his one-of-a-kind masterful interpreta