David Archuleta Says He Was Homeless Amid American Idol Fame

by

David Archuleta didn’t feel like a winner after receiving his one-way ticket to Hollywood. 

The former American Idol contestant revealed that even after becoming famous on the show in 2008, he deliberately lived a simple life as a way to punish himself.

David shared with People magazine that he struggled with self-worth. Despite achieving public success, he often found himself sleeping in his car, believing he didn’t deserve better, he revealed in an interview published on February 17th.

I’ve been a huge fan of David Archuleta for years, and it really hit me when I read his recent interview. He talked about how, even after coming so close to winning American Idol – he was the runner-up to David Cook back in season seven – he struggled with self-worth. He actually admitted he’d convinced himself he didn’t deserve to be kind to himself, and he described how he lived his life as a way of punishing himself. It was so honest and heartbreaking to hear.

He went on to say he regretted his poor decisions and letting others control him. He’d reached the peak of his career, yet he’d ended up with nothing, realizing that true value comes from self-respect, which he lacked at the time.

Rather than getting an apartment or staying with family, the singer of “Crush” chose to sleep in his car or stay with different friends. This continued until a police officer noticed him and realized he was a contestant from American Idol.

He admitted the experience made him realize there could be unforeseen downsides to his lifestyle. He even joked he could already picture a tabloid headline: “American Idol Finalist Sleeps in His Car!”

And while David regrets that specific experience, he is proud to look back at how far he has come. 

You know, as I’ve been reflecting on tough times in my life, I’ve realized it’s so empowering to acknowledge that you got through them, even if you didn’t handle everything perfectly. It’s about recognizing your resilience. Sometimes it takes years to fully appreciate how much effort you put in, even when you were struggling and maybe even a little embarrassed. Looking back, I can honestly say I gave it my all – I worked incredibly hard, even through the misery and shame. And that’s something to be proud of.

For more stars’ confessions, keep reading…

In June 2024, NFL player Jason Kelce jokingly responded to a fan on Twitter who commented that he appeared to not wash his legs or feet, tweeting, “What kind of weirdo washes their feet…”

The retired Philadelphia Eagles player later doubled down on his comments.

Okay, so like, can we talk about this? Apparently, someone asked Jason if they’d ever wash a fan’s feet?! He said it so casually on New Heights with Travis, but the idea! He actually said, and I quote, ‘What kind of psychopath washes your feet?’ But then… THEN he added that if he saw dirt, he’d scrub it off! Like, yes, it’s a weird hypothetical, but honestly, that just makes me love him more. He’s so…Jason. It’s just the most Jason thing ever, and I’m living for it. I need to know who asked this question, honestly!

More than ten years after telling a story about witnessing a clown’s death in a car explosion at the circus when he was a child, the actor known for Twilight has confessed the story was made up.

Oh my god, when Robert told the story to The New York Times Style Magazine last December, it was EVERYTHING. He said, and I quote, there wasn’t even a second of doubt in his voice. He was totally shocked and just blurted out, ‘What on earth is happening? Are you…possessed?!’ I mean, can you even IMAGINE the scene?! It’s just…perfect.

As for what he said during the 2011 Today interview promoting his film Water for Elephants?

He explained that one of the clowns had died in an accident. Their small car, a prop used in the show, unexpectedly exploded, causing everyone to panic and run for safety. It was a truly frightening experience.

Grandma knows best.

In an October 2022 episode of The Kardashians, Kim Kardashian shared a personal story about how her grandmother, Mary Jo “MJ” Campbell, unexpectedly played a role in a private moment with her then-boyfriend, Pete Davidson.

Kim Kardashian told MJ, Kris Jenner, and Khloé Kardashian that she and Pete Davidson were at the Beverly Hills Hotel when she remembered something her grandmother had told her. She explained that her grandmother believed having sex in front of a fireplace was a way to truly enjoy life, so they decided to do it as a tribute to Kris.

Grandma’s reaction? A nod of approval.

Kim found it unsettling to consider her grandmother while being intimate, and MJ responded by saying she understood, but she hadn’t always been as mature.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have a very close family, including their children, 8-year-old Wyatt and 6-year-old Dimitri, and their love for each other is limitless.

So much so, that the Black Swan actress revealed they keep an open-door policy at home.

She told TopMob News in September 2022 that this even extends to the bathroom. She explained that her family has simply accepted all normal bodily functions as a regular part of life, for better or worse, and the kids have grown up with that understanding.

Mila explained she finally gave in after her family repeatedly asked to come inside. She said she just decided to leave the door open rather than continue refusing them.

Pre-kids, she might not have imagined she’d flush that particular boundary away.

She said she never imagined she’d be comfortable enough to use the restroom with the door open.

Jennifer Garner shared a funny story about a mishap on set. While filming the 2007 movie The Kingdom, she accidentally bit her own tongue during a fight scene – a bit more than she intended!

Jennifer described a scene with Sala Baker where the director, Pete Berg, instructed her to realistically attempt to survive, even telling her to try to ‘kill’ her during the unchoreographed sequence.

She continued, explaining that they both jumped into action, and she ended up climbing onto his back. She even bit his ear – they have a photo to prove it, showing a piece of his ear missing, because they weren’t messing around.

 

Ghouls just want to have fun.

During an October 2022 episode of The View, while discussing a woman who claimed her home was haunted by “sexual ghosts,” Sara Haines posed a surprising question to her fellow panelists: “Is it possible to get pregnant from a ghost?”

Luckily, Joy Behar, her co-host, chimed in with a humorous response: “I’ve had encounters with ghosts and never gotten pregnant.”

“I’m going to leave that statement as is,” Whoopi Goldberg responded. “I’m not sure everyone heard what Joy just said, but I’m choosing not to comment further on it.”

Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb are very close friends, but Hoda recently learned something surprising about her Today co-host. While preparing for an episode of Today with Hoda and Jenna, Hoda found out that Jenna never wears underwear.

Hoda recounted a funny moment from a November 2022 episode of Today with Hoda and Jenna. She explained that they both needed to quickly change outfits and had to return to the dressing room. While there, Hoda realized Jenna doesn’t wear underwear.

Jenna’s rationale? Well, no underwear might just be more convenient to her.

She explained that the style creates a more flattering shape and also makes packing easier, adding that there are many other benefits too.

Looks like someone hasn’t been keeping up.

Britney Spears related to a popular line from Keke Palmer – “He could be walking down the street, I wouldn’t know a thing” – and confessed she wasn’t familiar with Pete Davidson or Scott Disick.

Britney shared a funny video from March featuring Pete Davidson—who was dating Kim Kardashian at the time—and Kourtney Kardashian’s ex, Scott Disick, having a night out. She said the video had her laughing a lot.

Britney apologized for sharing the post, explaining she didn’t know the people in the video but found it hilarious. She has since removed the original post.

Before Chris Evans became famous as Captain America and was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2022, Jana Kramer dated him and thought he was a total heartthrob.

The singer shared on her podcast, Whine Down with Jana Kramer, that this happened over ten years ago. While she doesn’t remember exactly how many times they went out, she does remember their final meeting.

Jana, who was around 26 at the time, said Chris asked her to come over when he had some friends visiting from Boston.

Jana recalled that the last thing she remembered was her partner going to the bathroom shortly after she’d eaten asparagus, which sometimes changes the smell of urine. They didn’t end up intimate that night. He stayed up late with friends, and the next morning, Jana left his house feeling embarrassed – what she jokingly called the ‘asparagus walk of shame’.

She added, “I never heard from him again.”

Not all of these confessions are amusing.

In December, television writer Elisabeth Finch confessed that she had fabricated a story about having a rare form of bone cancer. She originally shared this false diagnosis with ELLE magazine eight years prior, and it even became the basis for a plotline on Grey’s Anatomy.

Let me tell you, honesty is always the best policy. I learned that the hard way when, at 34, I told a lie that ended up spiraling out of control. It really haunted me for years, becoming a heavier and heavier burden. I want to be completely clear about something: I’ve never, ever been diagnosed with cancer. It’s time to set the record straight and finally put this behind me.

Finch, who was temporarily removed from his role on the ABC medical show before ultimately quitting, admitted, “I made a mistake. It was unacceptable and completely wrong—there’s no excusing it.”

Beauty is pain, but Kim Kardashian might be able to stomach it.

The reality star told The New York Times she’d consider almost any procedure to look younger.

She admitted in June that she’d even consider something truly unpleasant – like eating waste daily – if it meant looking younger. She emphasized she was serious, saying, ‘I just might.’

I remember Kim mentioning something interesting in an interview with Allure back in July 2022. She said she was mostly kidding when she made a certain comment, but honestly, she didn’t think it was such a bad idea either. It really showed a playful side to her!

Kim thought for a moment and then said, ‘Honestly, I’d probably eat something awful if someone promised it would make me look younger – even if it meant eating a bowl of poop every day.’

When asked if she had room for more food, she said she might be able to manage a small bite, but definitely couldn’t eat a full bowl.

Jelly Roll could’ve used some saving from himself.

I was watching The Jennifer Hudson Show back in April 2025, and they asked the artist behind “Save Me” about his most embarrassing moment. Honestly, he was so open and shared a really funny story – he didn’t hold back at all!

“I pooped myself one time,” he admitted. “I did, I’m sorry.”

To be honest, Jelly Roll (whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord) didn’t intend to cause such serious harm.

He firmly believed it was just a misunderstanding. “I sincerely apologize,” he said. “I saw the audience turn from supportive to completely against me.”

Read More

2026-02-17 23:54