Let me start off by saying… David Archuleta truly keeps me on my toes. Just when I think I know what to expect from him, he pulls a complete surprise — this time by performing shirtless in front of a massive crowd at Market Days in Chicago. Yes, shirtless. No crop top, no tank, not even a cheeky cut-off tee. Just skin, sweat, and vocals so sweet they could melt steel.
Source: @DavidArchie (X)
This is not the boyish Idol crooner we grew up with. This is David Archuleta 2.0 — sexier, bolder, and armed with a confidence that has fans (and let’s be real, me too) collectively fanning ourselves. He’s been teasing us with crop tops, muscle tees, and shorts ever since his reinvention, but going fully shirtless? That’s choosing violence in the best possible way. Violence via abs, pecs, and a voice that still makes you weak in the knees.
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Source: @DavidArchie (X)
The moment hit social media when David shared a photo of himself literally sliding across the stage with an intense, smoldering look on his face. Needless to say, the comment section had zero chill. Fans were out here confessing their sins in emojis and exclamation points:
- “Phew. Zoomed in. Yes. Yes I did 😍”
- “SLAYYY”
- “Wow!!! What a performance!! And epic pecks… oh I mean pics!!”
- “Someone’s been going to the gym. And eating protein lol”
- “BIG TOP ENERGY”
Honestly, the fans said it best. He’s serving gym dedication, vocal precision, and sex appeal all at once. It’s giving main pop boy energy, but with a wholesome twist only Archie can pull off. Because even when he’s shirtless and sweaty, sliding across a stage like he owns it, there’s still that smile, that sweetness that made us fall for him in the first place.
Source: @DavidArchie (X)
And let’s not forget: the man is still an artist first. His latest album has been a fun, sultry dive into Archie’s new era, with tracks like Crème Brûlée that beg to be on repeat. It’s the kind of album that pairs perfectly with his newfound confidence on stage — playful, bold, and just a little bit sexy.
@bryanlagarde @David Archuleta at #marketday #marketdays #chicago #davidarchuleta #espresso #sabrinacarpenter
But Archuleta isn’t just showing skin and flexing vocals. He’s also baring his soul. On Instagram, he recently revealed the cover of his upcoming memoir Devout (Losing My Faith to Find Myself), set for release in February 2026. The book promises to peel back the layers of his journey: from his days on American Idol, to navigating life as a closeted Mormon, to ultimately walking away from the church in order to embrace authenticity and truth. If his performances are any hint, this book is going to be raw, unfiltered, and very, very real.
Source: @DavidArchie (X)
The glow-up we’re witnessing is more than physical. It’s emotional. It’s spiritual. It’s David finally stepping fully into himself — and yes, that includes taking his shirt off on stage and reminding us that sexy and soulful are not mutually exclusive.
@marcelosoldi so david archuleta is just having his “Espresso” moment and we’re here for it @David Archuleta #davidarchuleta #espresso #sabrinacarpenter #fyp #livemusic
So here’s where I land: MORE PLEASE. More music. More honesty. More shirtless performances that make us scream “YASSS BABY” into the void. David Archuleta is in his hot era, and he’s letting us all come along for the ride. Stay sexy, Archie. We’re not done cheering.