"American Idol" finalist David Archuleta came out as gay earlier this year, and now he is opening up more about his decision to finally live in his truth. As reported by NBC, Archuleta, a practicing Mormon, says it was God who compelled him to finally come out, and he couldn't believe the overwhelming positive response he received from the people in his religious community. "I was shocked, because I thought, 'OK, this is probably going to be a bigger deal, maybe I'll get 30,000 or 40,000 likes, if that,' because I know this is a controversial topic and a lot of people have assumed things about me and tried to label me in the past," Archuleta told NBC's Today.com. "But it exploded. I didn't realize all the media outlets were going to talk about it, but the way that they did, it was so respectful." "A lot of conservative Christians follow what I do because that's my own upbringing, and I'm still involved in that community," he said. "But everyone on both sides ... I was just amazed at how supportive and loving everyone was generally, for the most part, and for me, it was just a huge tender mercy." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?❤️ (?️: Emell D. Adolphus / @goodnightdetroit / ?: David Archuleta / Instagram)

"American Idol" finalist David Archuleta came out as gay earlier this year, and now he is opening up more about his decision to finally live in his truth. As reported by NBC, Archuleta, a practicing Mormon, says it was God who compelled him to finally come out, and he couldn't believe the overwhelming positive response he received from the people in his religious community. "I was shocked, because I thought, 'OK, this is probably going to be a bigger deal, maybe I'll get 30,000 or 40,000 likes, if that,' because I know this is a controversial topic and a lot of people have assumed things about me and tried to label me in the past," Archuleta told NBC's Today.com. "But it exploded. I didn't realize all the media outlets were going to talk about it, but the way that they did, it was so respectful." "A lot of conservative Christians follow what I do because that's my own upbringing, and I'm still involved in that community," he said. "But everyone on both sides ... I was just amazed at how supportive and loving everyone was generally, for the most part, and for me, it was just a huge tender mercy." Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?❤️ (?️: Emell D. Adolphus / @goodnightdetroit / ?: David Archuleta / Instagram)