David Archuleta

David Archuleta's journey as a musician began with his significant participation in "American Idol" season 7, where he was runner-up. He quickly left his mark on the show and the audience with his renditions of classics, including "Imagine" by John Lennon, which later debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Following his success on the show, Archuleta signed with Jive Records in June 2008 and released his self-titled album, "David Archuleta," in November the same year. His single "Crush" from this album debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, selling 1.92 million digital copies in the US. His music career also extended to the United Kingdom, where he supported the British band McFly on their "Up Close...And This Time It's Personal" tour in 2009.

Archuleta's career further expanded into acting and writing. He made his acting debut on Nickelodeon's show "iCarly" and guest-starred on Disney Channel's show "Hannah Montana." His talent for storytelling was also evident in his memoir, "Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song, and the Power of Perseverance," which became a bestseller after its release in June 2010. Archuleta also made a significant impact on the Filipino market, starring in a prime-time mini-series titled "Nandito Ako" and releasing an Original Pilipino Music album titled "Forevermore" exclusively in the Philippines. He continued to release albums, including "The Other Side of Down" in 2010, "Begin" in 2012, and "No Matter How Far" in 2013, despite being released from his contract with Jive Records in 2011.

Archuleta's contribution to the music industry continued into the 2020s. His eighth studio album, "Therapy Sessions," was released in May 2020. The same year, he released a music video for "Just Breathe," dedicating it to frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, he competed in the ninth season of "The Masked Singer" as "Macaw," finishing in second place. He released his second book, "Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself," in 2026. Archuleta's philanthropic efforts have also been noteworthy, working with organizations like Do Something, Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation, and ChildFund International. In 2024, he won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist, highlighting his influence as an influential figure in the LGBTQ community after publicly coming out in 2021.