'Masked Singer' Runner-up David Archuleta Finds Freedom in Unmasking

David Archuleta admitted to People Magazine that he "wasn't thrilled" about the initial prospect of going on The Masked Singer season 9, but ultimately decided, "This is going to be the perfect way to face my fear and rewrite the narrative of my experience in a competition."

Archuleta competed as Macaw on season 9 and was runner-up in Wednesday's finale behind Medusa, who turned out to be singer Bishop Briggs. (The finale aired on May 17.)

Appearing on a vocal competition show for second time brings Archuleta's career full-circle. Success came to him in 2008 when some 44 million votes made him the first runner-up in season 7 of "American Idol" - and a star at age 16. Not long after, his first single "Crush" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, which he followed with his self-titled album, "David Archuleta," that sold more than 900,000 copies worldwide.

But over his career, Archuleta was keeping a secret that kept him from being authentic to his fan base, which is sizable (3.5 million Facebook followers, 1.1 million on Twitter, and almost 1 million followers on Tik Tok). When he came to make his eighth album, "Therapy Sessions," he looked inward to the battle he'd been fighting for most of his life: how to come out as queer while being a Mormon.

Then while recovering from vocal cord surgery, which left him unable to speak much for 3 months, he decided to open up about his sexuality. In the fall of 2022, David revealed to "Good Morning America" that he was experiencing a faith crisis and stepping away from the Church of Latter Day Saints, having been a Mormon his whole life.

In the fall of 2022, David revealed to "Good Morning America" that he was experiencing a faith crisis and stepping away from the Church of Latter Day Saints, having been a Mormon his whole life.

2023 is shaping up to be the Year of Archuleta, not the least of which is because of his return to television.

"The Masked Singer" saw David spread his wings (and end up a finalist) as the Macaw, a bird known for its exuberant personality. An audience favorite, David rose to the top against other heavyweight vocalists such as Pentatonix, Michael Bolton and Sara Evans.

Archuleta also has a new single, "Up," that is scheduled for release on June 2, just in time for Pride Month. He said of the song: "I hit rock bottom. I thought I wouldn't get through it, but here I am. I thought I was hopeless and that I'd failed, but here I am. Even when you're at your lowest, you need to realize you can only go UP. You need to hold on to that glimmer of hope and say, I am going to turn any type of hate and negativity into positivity and love." "Up" is part of David's latest musical project, which also include a new album.

EDGE recently spoke of being part of "The Masked Singer," his ability to keep a secret, and why "Up" is so important to him.

EDGE: Were you a fan of the show before you were booked?

David Archuleta: I was a passive fan. I would watch from time to time or look up videos, especially if there was someone that I knew on. It is always fun to see them do their thing.

EDGE: How hard was it to keep the secret that you were completing?

David Archuleta: I feel like I'm pretty good at keeping secrets. It was hard though, especially when people would say, "I know your voice." My response was always "I don't know what you're talking about." My family kept sending photos and memes of parrots and macaws. If they were at a restaurant and there's a parrot, they would send me a picture and say, "Oh look, David's here."

EDGE: Are you assigned your costume, or can you choose your own?

David Archuleta: It was a bit of brainstorming. I met with the costume designer, and he proposed an idea. They showed me the macaw and why they wanted to go with it. They wanted to tie to my roots. My mom is from Central America and the National Bird of Honduras is the macaw.

EDGE: Did you name the Macaw?

David Archuleta: No, he was just macaw.

EDGE: Is it easier to perform when no one know it's you?

David Archuleta: Yes, there's a lot less pressure. It is easier being in front of an audience that is not your own. They didn't pay to come see David sing, so it does make it a lot easier. Also, you don't hear "Why is David singing that song?" This audience is just wondering if the bird can sing a One Direction song.

EDGE: How were you able to disguise who you were vocally?

David Archuleta: I thought about it, but then the producers said, "Just do your best. Deliver your best performance. People are already going to know it's you for the most part because your voice is pretty distinct and recognizable." So, I just focused on giving a good performance.

EDGE: Were you able to choose your own songs?

David Archuleta: It was a collaboration. Sometimes, I would send a list of songs and they wouldn't work out and then they'd adjust a song. It was a mixture of songs I've chosen, and some the show would choose. I chose, because I thought it'd be so fun to sing One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful." I also loved singing Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying."

EDGE: What has 'The Masked Singer' taught you?

David Archuleta: I learned that I can be a performer on stage without having to take myself so seriously. It was really refreshing because as a performer, especially when you're on TV, you're waiting for people to say if you were good or not? It was so nice not to have any pre-made assumptions from the start. The viewers were just able to just listen to the voice and decide whether it was good or not? Instead of I don't like him, or I don't want to listen to song.

EDGE: Tell us about your brand new single, 'Up'

David Archuleta: "Up" is coming out June 2 and it is my transition song. I feel like it's the bridge tying where I'm coming from to where I am now headed towards. The last couple years have been difficult for me. They've been tricky and there were some pretty low points. Actually, some of the lowest points I've had in my life. I am now kind of learning how to take back my life, learn how to empower myself and have the courage to just be who I am. Something that I was always been afraid of doing, because I didn't want to disappoint anyone.

When you hit rock bottom, you can either stay there or you can get up. When you're at the bottom, there is nowhere else to go but up. I feel like this is my starting again song. I'm really excited to take people on this journey.

EDGE: What's next for you?

David Archuleta: I am already working on some new songs and some fun new music videos to release over the summer. I hope that the music gets people moving. I am focused on learning to embrace all parts of me that I've always been afraid of. I feel like I 'm finally coming into my own, letting loose, spreading my wings, and allowing myself to just take off.

For more on David Archuleta, visit his website.