In June of this year, David Archuleta, one of the most popular American Idol contestants of all time, came out as being on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum — in an emotional Instagram essay detailing his “exhausting,” nearly 20-year struggle with his sexuality and faith. Now the 30-year-old singer — who was just 16 years old when he competed on Idol — sits down with me to reflect on his journey, his new responsibility as a queer role model, and how he and others like him can reconcile their sexuality with their devoutly held religious beliefs. He freely admits that he still doesn’t have all the answers, but he still has a lot to say.