David Archuleta Pens Powerful Response to Email Claiming Fans Walked Out of His Christmas Concert After He Spoke About Being Queer

David Archuleta spoke out after his manager received an email complaint about a recent Christmas concert where he discussed being queer.

The 31-year-old American Idol alum is in the midst of his The More the Merrier holiday tour, which sees him performing across Utah.

He took to social media to reveal that his manager received an email complaining that attendees left his show early after David spoke about his sexuality.

Click inside to read David Archuleta’s powerful response to the email…

The email his manager received mentioned that the show was “an incredible experience.” However, the writer, who seems to have been affiliated with the venue, said that the evening was ruined by David‘s discussion of being LGBTQ+.

“I do not believe that, that concert was a setting for that to happen,” they wrote. “We have some very upset patrons that I will [be] dealing with today.”

“This tour hasn’t been the easiest for me to do. A way for me to find peace with it is by being open about my journey,” David wrote in response. “I am sharing something that I’ve felt I had to keep hidden nearly all my life. Because you believe your existence is unacceptable. That mindset is not healthy. So I am choosing to not hide that anymore. If I offend others for simply saying it’s ok to be who you are and like someone even if it’s the same sex, and people walk out of a show because they are uncomfortable that I am sharing my story of self acceptance. The person singing those songs on stage was no different from the person at the end of the show.”

The star spoke about his personal struggles with his sexuality. “2 years ago I was thinking ending my life was better than admitting this openly. If you are more offended that I say I like guys than you are that someone has felt it was better to end their life for that very same reason. I want you to think about why that makes you uncomfortable. I want to have uncomfortable conversations. That’s how you gain understanding.”

He noted that he “didn’t say anything explicit or inappropriate” during the segment, either.

“If a few dozen people walk out, but there are others staying who need to know they’re not alone in this journey. It’s worth it to me. I felt I was alone. I was scared. I thought i didn’t deserve anything good because I was queer. I hope you can see why I open up about it. It’s healing. And helps me not be ashamed of who I am like I was for many years,” David wrote. “Thank you to the other hundreds who stayed last night to listen. I know it’s not a topic usually talked about and it may be uncomfortable for some. Even if it’s a journey that you may not fully understand, It means the world to me that you still were willing to listen.”

“And to anyone else who still follows me through my journey. I am so grateful for you. I hope you continue to support others who are going through the same things I’ve recently gone through and overcome thanks to the many people like you who are compassionate and supportive,” he added in the comments section after running out of space in the caption. “To repeat what my manager said in response to this email, I will not apologize for anything I say however imperfectly I express it. I am me. And I will never apologize for it again how I did for so many years before. And I hope you can unapologetically and lovingly be you too. Wherever you may be on your journey.”

Last month David, who grew up in the Mormon faith, spoke about his relationship with religion after coming out.

You can read the email in full and see David Archuleta’s response to it below…