David Archuleta Makes Pride Debut in Salt Lake City With Vulnerable and Victorious Set
June 8, 2025
 
 
At Pride in Salt Lake City 2025, David Archuleta took the stage not only as a celebrated artist but as a voice for healing and authenticity. This marked his first-ever Pride performance, and the crowd's anticipation was met with both energy and emotion. Two fans, Jess and Elliott, traveled from Pleasant Grove to see Archuleta perform live for the third time. Jess shared that their favorite song, Say Me from the 2017 album Postcards in the Sky, continues to hold deep meaning. Elliott, a longtime fan, praised Archuleta’s Christmas album as “a masterpiece” he could listen to every day.
 
 
In between songs, Archuleta opened up to the audience about his personal journey with coming out — a journey deeply rooted in Utah, where he grew up avoiding anything associated with being gay. He spoke with honesty about his time as a missionary, the difficult moment he came out to his mission president, and the pain of trying to conform through three separate engagements before coming out to his mother. Her initial rejection — quoting, “marriage is between a man and a woman” — eventually gave way to profound support. She left the church alongside him, choosing love for her son over tradition. That journey inspired his 2024 release Hell Together, a cathartic anthem he performed with raw intensity that reverberated through the crowd.
 
After the show, I had the chance to sit down with Emjay for a one-on-one conversation. When asked which song is her favorite to perform, she quickly answered Fallen Angel, because it’s the most fun to play with her band. Her advice for fans attending her shows? “Bring a cup of tea for the slow songs and dancing shoes for the fast ones.” Looking ahead, she teased a new album, more local performances, and even the possibility of a tour. For new artists just starting out, Emjay offered this gem: “Do it anyway. Make mistakes and don’t let your flow stop you.” As for pre-show rituals? Emjay never skips the classic band cheer—and she always snacks on a bag of Lay’s chips before hitting the stage. It's those little quirks, combined with raw talent and an open heart, that make Emjay Hink one to watch.
 
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