David Archuleta recalls getting mocked for choosing missionary work over his singing career

Maureen Marie Belmonte

American Idol season 7 runner-up David Archuleta is back in the Philippines with a fresh perspective on his career after almost five years. David, who’s in the country for a one-night only concert at the KIA Theater on October 20, shared that his two-year missionary work in Chile, which ended in 2014, made him want to embrace who he really is as a performer.“I was feeling like if I am going to go back like who I was before compared to where I’ve been now, I don’t think I want to do that anymore,” he said in a recent interview with PUSH and other members of the press.Thankfully though, David was able to find “a new meaning” and he was able to realize that it’s possible for him to perform and sing about matters that are dear to him “instead of just playing the politically-correct or record-label game, meaning shut-up-and-look-pretty and just sing that songs that we want you to sing.”According to David, he now puts a premium on performing songs that he can really relate to and not just the ones that they visualize to become the next big hit.But arriving at his current position hasn’t been exactly a walk in the park.“The label would literally tell me during meetings that we want you to be a white Chris Brown or now we want you to be a Justin Bieber. They would say that and they always wanted me to become someone else instead of being me,” he explained.David confessed this kind of comments made him feel that he’s “losing” his value as a singer. But then, after putting his foot down, David was able to push for what he really wants to do.“I struggled at first because I thought, ‘I don’t want to go back and try to be someone else. But then I realize, wait a second I can be me! Wow this is awesome!’” David said even nothing that it’s been more fulfilling to just be who he really is.Meanwhile, almost three years since his return from his life-changing missionary work, and David could still morosely recall how people surrounding him discouraged him to pursue his plan.“You know a lot of people said, ‘You’re such an idiot for doing that! Why are you taking a break when you’re in a business when you have to keep the momentum going. You’re in something when you have to constantly engage with your audience or else people will forget you,’” he shared.The “Crush” singer confessed that their words initially scared him, especially when he was still trying to decide to go or not.At that time, even his record label and management knew that he was considering to take a hiatus from the Hollywood industry.“They told me ‘No, you can’t! You’re obligated to fulfill your contract.’ They told me all the reasons why it was such a dumb idea. But I think God asks us to do things that seem dumb for everybody else,” he ended.Aside from his concert, David’s fans can look forward to his newest album, which will be available starting next month.Catch David Archuleta’s “reintroduction”at his self-titled concert this coming October 20 at the KIA Theater. For tickets, just visit ticketnet.com.ph.

“I was feeling like if I am going to go back like who I was before compared to where I’ve been now, I don’t think I want to do that anymore,” he said in a recent interview with PUSH and other members of the press.Thankfully though, David was able to find “a new meaning” and he was able to realize that it’s possible for him to perform and sing about matters that are dear to him “instead of just playing the politically-correct or record-label game, meaning shut-up-and-look-pretty and just sing that songs that we want you to sing.”According to David, he now puts a premium on performing songs that he can really relate to and not just the ones that they visualize to become the next big hit.But arriving at his current position hasn’t been exactly a walk in the park.“The label would literally tell me during meetings that we want you to be a white Chris Brown or now we want you to be a Justin Bieber. They would say that and they always wanted me to become someone else instead of being me,” he explained.David confessed this kind of comments made him feel that he’s “losing” his value as a singer. But then, after putting his foot down, David was able to push for what he really wants to do.“I struggled at first because I thought, ‘I don’t want to go back and try to be someone else. But then I realize, wait a second I can be me! Wow this is awesome!’” David said even nothing that it’s been more fulfilling to just be who he really is.Meanwhile, almost three years since his return from his life-changing missionary work, and David could still morosely recall how people surrounding him discouraged him to pursue his plan.“You know a lot of people said, ‘You’re such an idiot for doing that! Why are you taking a break when you’re in a business when you have to keep the momentum going. You’re in something when you have to constantly engage with your audience or else people will forget you,’” he shared.The “Crush” singer confessed that their words initially scared him, especially when he was still trying to decide to go or not.At that time, even his record label and management knew that he was considering to take a hiatus from the Hollywood industry.“They told me ‘No, you can’t! You’re obligated to fulfill your contract.’ They told me all the reasons why it was such a dumb idea. But I think God asks us to do things that seem dumb for everybody else,” he ended.Aside from his concert, David’s fans can look forward to his newest album, which will be available starting next month.Catch David Archuleta’s “reintroduction”at his self-titled concert this coming October 20 at the KIA Theater. For tickets, just visit ticketnet.com.ph.

American Idol season 7 runner-up David Archuleta is back in the Philippines with a fresh perspective on his career after almost five years. David, who’s in the country for a one-night only concert at the KIA Theater on October 20, shared that his two-year missionary work in Chile, which ended in 2014, made him want to embrace who he really is as a performer.

David Archuleta recalls getting mocked for choosing missionary work over his singing career | PUSH.COM.PH