David Spotted at Gay Club
Cue the Archufan Freakout
David was spotted last night at Club 57 in Manhattan, located at a venue called Providence, currently the city’s hottest, wildest Saturday night party for the men-who-love-men crowd (pics from a recent night there above). According to Time Out New York, where the opening of the club night was reviewed late last year:
All sorts of boys were streaming into Brandon Voss and Tony Fornabaio’s newish midtown adventure on Saturday night—twinkie, trendy, trannie, circuity, Sam Champion—to sample the different levels of clubby fun at Providence. DJ Mike Cruz worked it for the main floor with joyful, energetic beats from his chandelier-level perch, while DJ Lina (sexy in a royal-blue dress) got the nearby lounge moving with a soulful set. And a towering, space-age-clad Epiphany popped onstage down in the Triumph Room to break up a jammin’ DJ Xavier set that had the floor jam-packed from midnight on. Oh, and did we mention how hot the boys were?
So, was David bumping and grinding with some steamy Dominican muscle man? Hardly. David was there with his friend Charice, who performed a dance remix of her current hit single, “Pyramid” at the coveted 1:30 a.m. spot. Reportedly, however, Charice and her entourage, which included David and his old band mate Eli, did do something terribly scandalous after the performance: They went to a local Pinkberry for ice cream.
The ground is certainly shifting under Archuworld, what with David displaying some real independence, and making choices that, while hardly questionable (it would be far more questionable for a pop performer who is serious about their career to not become familiar with the gay club scene), are nevertheless choices that would have been virtually unthinkable a year ago. And although I expect all kinds of hand-wringing from certain factions of the fan community at this news, I think it all ultimately amounts to a big “so what,” other than the fact that it is yet another indication of David’s new-found liberation and maturity. And that can only be good.
Here’s the Charice performance (introduced by a platinum blond drag queen).
ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
Well, the fandom is all “aTwitter.” Freak out isn’t the word. Fear, confusion. I’m not sure whether the thoughts of David in a gay bar or the thoughts of David dating Charice were more inflammatory.
I love that David is able to deal with diversity and then go do something so totally David – EAT ICE CREAM!
I think the freakout probably has more to do with fans just not wanting David to grow up more than anything else. The momfans want to keep mothering him, and the tweeniebobbers (of all ages) just want him to remain the sweet little church cherub who thinks only of helping little old ladies in his free time. Well, good luck with that, because David is a young man of the world, now, with the responsibility to build and sustain a career for himself, his employees, and his family. Professional relationships are everything in any industry, but in show business especially, and it looks to me like David is being not only mature but smart in his choices. Like it or not, peeps, li’l Archie is gettin’ all growed up…
Rascal: AMEN!
Ok so some of yall know where i stand on the gay question…to say this at least in New York it doesn’t matter if the club is a gay one or a straight one, if it is the hot spot for the night or the week anyone who is anyone has to be seen there…. with that said i think David was getting a glimpse of things his father never let him see
So the “to go or to stop” tweet is kind of metaphoric? Looks like he decides to live his life any way he wishes without giving undue consideration to how things he does may be construed/misconstrued in the fandom. More power to him!
So happy to know he is exploring New York in all its glory — checking out its street festivals and club scenes, complete with smoothies and ice creams. lol
YJfanofdavid. I never thought of that tweet that way. But I like it! I love seeing David out and about, living in the richness of the world, taking it all in.
I’m with you Marlie. I love that he’s beginning to live his life indepently and he’s already made it very clear that he will make well thought out decisions. He’s no fool and as long as he’s not enroute to the guyliner scene I’m down with it. Oh heck, he can go there too and I won’t care. Trust the Archulator!
Well, one of the reasons I quit “stalking” other sites’ posts was that so so many of the participants were scarily proprietary over David. Saying “David wouldn’t do..” and, “David wouldn’t say…”, to the point that I found it nauseating. The “hoopla” over this doesn’t surprise me, because I knew that it was all simply these narrow minded people projecting. I knew all along that David was MUCH more open, accepting, and worldly than these people would like to believe. It’s ironic that when someone is so open, accepting and good as David, that people with narrowminded and judgemental character would actually think that he shared their sentiments in the first place.
That’s the paradox of the relationship of some of his fanbase. I guess it had to come up sometime and slap them in the face. This should be an interesting few days on some sites. David, will, I’m sure take this in his usual stride.
Ouch…that last sentence….David will, I’m sure, take this in his usual stride.
Where in the heck is the delete button?!
Marlie, So that’s two of us “momfans” who is thrilled to see David out there exploring and discovering the world as well as himself, seemingly unburdened with doubts about how his fans may think. I suspect the David we know will always be there, though. For all we know, he may have helped a little old lady crossing the street right after he stepped out of the bar. lol.
YJfanofdavid: Likely David was his usual polite self IN the bar, “Oh, excuse me. Do you need this chair?” LOL
AnotherDavid: “so many of the participants were scarily proprietary over David.” You couldn’t have used better words to describe some fans. Whew!
Kinda funny but after David’s tweet about Charice’s new song I checked it out, which led me to her twitter, where I saw she was in NY. I also follow Eli on twitter and saw he was going to see Charice last night (late). David is such a big supporter of his fellow artists and feiends that I actually wondered- with him wandering around in New York kinda late- if he was going to see Charice and wondered if he would run into Eli there. Cool!
I just came from a party and haven’t checked my email or twitter, then I see this article. So is the ArchuLand all a-quiver?
LMAO with visions of fans (particularly Pinoy Archies) gnashing their teeth at the very thought of David going out with Charice.
Providence, then ice cream. Gotta love that guy!
AnotherDavid … lol, I think those are the fans that will actually stick by David through all this nonsense … even though their exuberance might rub you the wrong way. And there are a lot of fans here who hold David’s good nature in high esteem in very much the same way. We just all express our appreciation of David in such different ways.
I heard that these fans in an uproar are mostly fans who don’t like Charice and are jealous maybe (remember promgate?). But who knows, really?
Still bugs me how shallow some so-called fans can be. To be sure, every fan will have their opinions so it’s fruitless for David to even try to please all his fans … all he can do is to continue to be true to himself.
I just hope David doesn’t get wind of this … cause he has other better and more important things to do!
beware of the pedestals, and the little boxes some try to fit people in, lol… the young fans freaking need time to mature into that thought process. the older fans who haven’t grasped it – well, it’s sad, and perhaps they’ll get over it. david’s life is his own to live, always has been. his decisions are his decisions to make and live by. he’s testing the boundaries of independence, and living his life on his terms – not those of the fans and nonfans. he can’t be truly ‘free’ personally or artistically if he lives his life at the whims and vagaries of how every little thing is going to play in the fandom. that’s a gilded cage unworthy of someone with his formidable talent.
I agree
“I just hope David doesn’t get wind of this … cause he has other better and more important things to do!”
He has upcoming appearances, his book drops and hopefully his record is getting somewhere near finalization. On another note I picked up Jason Castro’s album. A few really nice songs on there. He also did his cover of Halleluiah which was
excellent. It was under pop/rock but to me several of the songs have a bit of a country sound.
Go David! I love you even more <3
There are many aspects to this story that may cause hysteria. One is, of course, the obvious "David Archuleta is gay" -gossip, which has been going on ever since David auditioned for AI. So nothing new there.
Another thing might be the "is David dating Charice" -question. I ain't gonna lie – I am a bit disappointed if that is indeed the case, since I've spent over two years planning a dream wedding for me and David and you know… I can't really get those years back now can I.
Then there's the fact that some deeply religious people might find it odd, that David is so open to everything and everyone – some say homosexuality is a sin, others interpret the bible differently. David is strong in his faith and has high morals. That doesn't exclude him embrasing things unknown to him – if anything, it proves that when one is confident and comfortable in his own skin, there's nothing scary or unsettling in getting to know different "cultures".
By the way; word of advice to all homophobes (not that I'm assuming to find any of those on TDC) – if you really were sure about your own sexual preferences, you would be strong enough to be comfortable in a gay bar without fear of being "converted".
ggdoorsfan #16 FTW
I think it highly unlikely that it wouldn’t have at least occurred to David how reports of his presence at such a venue would play to some of his constituents, particularly those in a certain western region of the country. Regardless of what combination of factors led to the dismissal of these concerns — friendship, independence, business, support, intrigue, rebellion, emancipation — the decision was, as the kids say, full of win.
My comment won’t show up on the page… Help please?
I’ve tried to post it four times now
And now I’m getting a message saying “haha you loser you’ve already posted that”.
Hi embe: not sure what in your post made them go to SPAM, but I released them all
18/ hi rascal – and perhaps a little bit of a ‘shot across the bow’ to some in that particular region, and others, that going forward, things may be a little different ’round heah, lol.
i have had janet jackson’s 1986 smash hit ‘control’ on loop inside my head since i read those tweets early this morning. there are so many similarities and parallels in her young life and career and how i perceive david’s – the control issues relative to her family/father/faith – that it’s kinda eerie. maybe david’s next move will be to make another guitar like hero commercial singing something akin to her control, hee hee. love for you to listen to the song and the lyrics, and give me your perspective when or if you get a chance…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfmJf3DSKFY
ggdoorsfan: “he’s testing the boundaries of independence, and living his life on his terms – not those of the fans and nonfans. he can’t be truly ‘free’ personally or artistically if he lives his life at the whims and vagaries of how every little thing is going to play in the fandom. that’s a gilded cage unworthy of someone with his formidable talent.”
Well said! How else will David develop artistically if he doesn’t experience the world in all its forms and variety?
Okay, embe: I’m removing two of the three duplicate posts LOL
embe #22 – “I think David is the perfect example of confidence. When you are strong in your faith and know who you are, there’s nothing unsettling or scary about exploring different “cultures”. Openness is richness. David doesn’t judge anyone, but instead embraces difference and sees all things as miracles.”
You took the words right out of my mouth. And how, at age 19, David manages to have that confidence and see the big picture of his life so clearly, I haven’t figured out. He seemingly makes decisions that he knows are right for himself, always with an open heart towards others, and hopes that those put off by any of his actions will somehow come around. He continues to teach me every day.
I guess I’m more curious as to how David got into the club. In California, a person has to be 21 to be legally allowed entrance. Is it different in NY? Or did he get in based on “celebrity/Charice’s entourage” status? I’m fairly certain he didn’t go the usual fake id route.
Goboywonder LOL, haha.
marlie7: “not sure what in your post made them go to SPAM, but I released them all
”
Maybe your spam-filter just judged me by my previous posts
Not much eloquency to be found 
Nelli: Agreed
Hmmmm, do not know what to say other than to say I am a little surprised but kinda of relieved. By surprised I mean this is what I would’ve guess David to do, go into a club like that. By relieved I mean this means he is truly in control of his life as it should be, he makes his own decisions as it should be. It is HIS life as it should be. Doesn’t change who he is, he’s still David James Archuleta, master of song and voice, incredibly kind and humble.
oops, I didn’t proof read very well, by surprised I mean this is NOT what I would’ve guess David to do.
LOLOLOL! I hope that David and friends had a great night in the big city. It’s all good.
Well one thing unique to this site is the fact that “you shoot straight from the hip!!”…
I thought that the following was interesting, especially since I have not been in New York enough to follow this…”it is the hot spot for the night or the week anyone who is anyone has to be seen there”…. It would make perfect sense.
An interesting few days of reading just ahead.
Cheers to all,
SB
Excuse me, my statement is from Kris #4…
SB
Hi SB! See and be seen – sounds like something you might expect of a POP STAR!
GG #16 every word
.
And Nelli – “And how, at age 19, David manages to have that confidence and see the big picture of his life so clearly, I haven’t figured out. He seemingly makes decisions that he knows are right for himself, always with an open heart towards others, and hopes that those put off by any of his actions will somehow come around. He continues to teach me every day.”
The power of the old “me” was formidable…don’t know if I will survive “the new me”.
Otay. I read around in a couple of places that David went to the club with his ex-manager and ex-drummer. Makes sense, I had to sign for my daughter to go on a cruse this past week even though she turns 21 next week.
goboywonder, that makes sense. I kept wondering why this person on another site repeated three times at least about David being in a club with Ely and his father but she seemed the only one mentioning said ex-manager.
Great to see David out and about in NYC and supporting Charice.
Going into gay bars is just another rite of passage for any one in the threshold of adulthood in today’s world, I believe. After reading and listening to his take on things recently, I have the impression that David is quite consciously taking command of his own life now. Such an exciting–and necessary–progression in his artistic maturity. Carry on David!
GG: Love your use of the word ‘free’. Isn’t that what we all strive for in our lives?
Bless that boy–whatever his reasons for going, it took a lot of courage.
Well, i miss some drama time, but i find funny the all situation , to know now that he was with his father? lol
I agree with lilMe ,’ took a lot of courage.’ knowing what the people can say about .
How about a little David Archuleta?
Okay so I’m a little bummed to hear ex manager was along, sort of pokes a hole in the happy rebellious bubble I was imagining….
Ditto, LilMe. I thought it was Eli and Eli’s father. But whatever.
LilMe#43 I’m sorry, but tbh i just think that this independence process gonna take him ‘A lot of more time’.
But hey! he’s trying to portrait that image , only that the way is a more slow that many people want, i don’t think is easy for him to break or change some old dynamics with some people of his entourage.
Well if this ex-manager thing is true.:|
Too bad it wasn’t Lupe accompanying him this time, if it were the issue goboywonder brought up, #27 and 37. I’m sure rascal would have an opinion on that one.
Marlie, thanks for the video!
emmiegirl #36 – You said: The power of the old “me” was formidable…don’t know if I will survive “the new me”.
And as for the music, I already know that my listening of David’s new album, complete with more of his “personality,” will render me a candidate for the funny farm.
marlie7 #44 . April 18, 2010 at 7:52 pm .
Ditto, LilMe. I thought it was Eli and Eli’s father. But whatever.
Ummm, interesting , i read the comment and the person say Eli and his father (David or Eli father? )
Anyway if is David’s father means that he was with him in all his meetings this week in NY ? , is funny how the all picture change with the presence of one person .
But again his all ‘New David’ consigne is a process that just started .
Was it Eli’s father or Charice’s father Eli was sitting with? Lots of rumors. Eli was confirmd to be there as was David. glad they were there to support Charice. She seemed pretty scared!! I support David and his decisions and glad he is having some fun.
P.S. Thanks for the Riddle Marlie.
I love that particular video of The Riddle because David is so chatty, so comfortable with his audience. Remember when he could hardly breathe after singing on AI? Now, he just chatters away, like he is talking to old friends (and he is!).
So, where did anyone see a post that said #manincap was with David last night?
Good evening, everyone!
So exciting to read this news. As to people freaking out, don’t you worry none. I’ve been to many a straight bar, and have never been “turned” straight.
it was eli’s dad, not jeff according to reports, who accompanied david and eli to club 57.
Thanks for clearing that up GG. The “old David” was killing us softly with his songs. The “new David” is just killing us without mercy from excitement. Songs + Excitement = Double Daid.
NDFTW!!!
gg and others, funny how it didn’t even occur to me “father” could mean Eli’s father LOL!
ronald, funny you are!
oh, my bad! I just responded to 37 and 38… Funny how rumours get started…anyway, go David!
I see that a post of mine above appeared cut & pasted on some other blog, complete w/ my mispelling of “independently”.. geez. Leave me out of any other blog. I’m just hanging here and enjoying the comments. What’s with the hoopla? Ronald…heh.. pretty funny.
Ronaldsf #53 ; ha, ha that is funny.
I’m not sure why people is ‘freaking out’ , because the possibility of David dating Charice or what? lol
Anyway, my call is not about that, but to let him the time to complete his independence process, slowly but sure, he still young and need advise like any young person,like i said before his time to be the ‘new David’ just started.
ggdoorfan #54 – thanks for clarify the ex-manager comment
David is tweeting about last night. Now we will get the basic story.
OMG – something wrong with the server I suspect. It takes ten minutes to get into this page.
Oh man , poor David
I don’t know why the fans keep acting like something awful happened to him. He went to a bar, saw Charice, had ice cream, LOL. Likely saw some other surprising things, but he’s not a child.
Wow. Not. Good.
Not good, he need to learn how handle this kind of situations, who cares finally whre he goes and with him on his time off?and where is his manager to give him some advise?
explain it was not the right option
I’m with you Tibitibis.
I bet someone at home panicked and thought he needed to do some “damage control” when really all he had to do was keep quiet (as in ‘my private time is my private time’) and let it pass….His ‘explanation’ started out innocently enough but then it turned into something else altogether…oh dear
I never thought he went there knowing it was a gay bar. Charice even apologized to David. You can go ahead and dream that he went there knowing it was a gay club and then lied to his fans and said he didn’t know what kind of club he was going to. But I believe David.
violet4ever: I believe him, too. But I don’t think he needs to apologize for going to that bar to see Charice, regardless of what type of bar it was. I don’t think anyone even implied that David went there out of some personal interest. Even the article at the top of the page says he went to see Charice and had a scandalous ice cream with her at Pinkberry.
Don’t make more of this than what is stated. “You can go ahead and dream” that people implied otherwise.
Well, I would hope the point would be that he wouldn’t have to explain it. The number one reason is obvious. His friend was singing. Why should he have to explain more?
Well, I guess in this case, it’s one’s dream shattered, another’s dream treasured. Still, we call can dream…
we all can dream…
That’s twice today.
violet4ever #67 We believe David, nobody here have a different assumption about.
But the way his explanation it was unnecessary and clearly some groupe of fans take it in the wrong way .:(
Ditto Marlie and tibitibis.
Sorry i mean : his explanation was unnecessary and go out in a way that offended some groupe of fans……. but we all know that it was not intentionally though
Urgh, color me irked by Mr. David.
David, in his effort to please everybody, makes it seem like the funniest (ha ha!) thing to go into a gay bar. I can see why he would want to clarify things and say that he was there to support Charice, but to say he had “no idea” what it was and he would “never intentionally” go into a gay bar, complete with “lol”s? You would think he’s talking about a club to kill kittens.
I don’t know if I should be angrier at David, or at the people, other Archufans included, who make him think he has to treat a place full of gay human beings like a bunch of cooties.
David, I know you don’t aim to offend anybody, but I just want to say that this hurt me a little. Please don’t hurt your sister, sister.
I’m sorry, Ronald. David’s ha ha’s and lol’s were … disappointing.
OK, Ronald, i’m sorry you’re hurt, but in
David’s defense and like i said in my early comments tonight (before his tweets) , David still a young guy , even a kid in some aspects and the fact that many of his fans want to see him grow and maturing super fast that not gonna happen and it gonna take some time. He’s coming from a very conservator environment , people (older fans or the more liberals ones) can’t expect that he’s gonna be inmediatly comfortable on some new situations for him, we need to be realistic, he just start to hanging out with people who is not from his home entourage, but it take some time to know, accept and being cool in and with some experiences and new realities. He’s gonna be always a person of values for sure, but his tweets tonight show that he’s a little scary about some people opinion and is normal at his age, from he’s come and with his lack of life experience and adding this diverse fansbase. I will be scary too tbh.
Please not hard feelings with him ?
Keep this in mind, David is a 19 year old kid from Utah.
This is something you don’t see a lot of in where he is from.
There are bars in New York that are a little out there for the average person, even if it was a straight bar some of those places are very adult oriented.
He is a great singer, compassionate, humble and good person.
David has a compassion for everyone. Much ado about nothing.
Hi all … Just as fans should have left him be earlier this morning, fans now should not read any more into his explanation other than what he said, that he didn’t know where he was going. Fans judged him this morning for his actions last night and fans are judging him now for his explanation. As I feared, he can’t win either way. sigh.
David doesn’t mean to hurt any of us … David is just being David and I believe he loves us all just as we love him. None of us are in any position to judge David though. Sigh.
I’m still sad that fans had to bother and tweet David with this nonsense … I was so hoping he wouldn’t see the tweets. I tried to tweet him only good thoughts today but it was futile. We should just all let David be and not be so hard on him. He really doesn’t deserve any of this from both sides. sigh.
All this too shall pass. just sigh
Good points, tibi and vallison and MomWithODD. He is young. I think I expected more from him, but perhaps that’s not fair. He is just beginning to break away from being chaperoned all the time.
As Rascal said in the title of this post, Cue the Archufan Freakout! And yes, this too shall pass.
Thx, Marlie #76.
Just also wanted to make a more general point about David’s career: his tweets make pretty clear that he plans to avoid, to the extent that he can, gay venues because of how this might affect his public image.
That’s just not a practical way to go about things, as a recording artist in 2010. A whole slew of people in the entertainment industry, and whole swaths of the New York and LA scenes, are Gay Gay GAY. If David made this a policy, how would it play out? When an agent invites David for a meeting over drinks at a trendy restaurant in West Hollywood, should David say “Oh no! My fans are following me on Twitter! I can never go to such a place”? Or should he distance himself from potentially important professional relationships with gay people in the industry? Will he say NO to Charice’s next invitation?
Even if he did all this, it would simply look like overcompensation, because then he’d be closing himself off to reality in today’s music industry.
Sigh… after all is said and done, I think this is just David overreacting to, well… an overreaction. Public scrutiny is not easy to adjust to, and one can see him frantic and feeling like he has to put out a fire he never expected in the first place. Hopefully, David will think on this more and not make a practice out of what he’s preaching.
Another thing … I believe it’s not that it is a gay bar that David is referring to when he says it’s not his type of place (David said before that people have their own lives and choices and that he respects that and has no problem with it) … from pics and descriptions, Club 57 is also very erotic, no? And that is NOT David, it’s not a lot of us, gay or straight … Look at it this way, if it was a straight strip joint, David would say it is not his kind of place. I’ve been to a gay bar in KC with some friends just for the heck of it and I can tell you it was nothing like the place that David went to last night … just my 2cents worth.
I feel bad for David … he doesn’t deserve any of this. He works so hard for all of us and he gets cut down from all sides.
GG -love your posts!
MOMwithODD – I too refrained from twitting David altogether, until he issued the explanation.
RONALD – I do understand your feelings but when I saw David’s twits, I was not disappointed – I felt bad for him that he felt he had to do that. That he was compelled to issue an explanation which frankly he does not owe us, makes me sad. It is a no-win situation. Trying to please a segment tends to offend another… Also, context matters, esp in this case. When he said the place was not his type, I didn’t take it to mean as it being a gay place. I was thinking in terms of the explicit sexual or erotic nature of the venue. Whether straight or gay venues, do we honestly think David is ready for such to enjoy? This is from someone who still cannot appreciate short skirts!
TO ALL
I have seen the twits and the most dramatic, for lack of a better term, came from Pinoy Archies who hate Charice. Yes hate as if they know her personally. Perhaps they have issues with her or they may have personal encounters with her. But to put their hatred right smack into David’s attention and to bother him with such negative display of persuasion is a bit helium-like for me.
He is a 19-yo guy from Utah who is just starting to flex his wings in a very public setting. Do we remember what we were handling when we were 19?
Am willing to give my most favored artist the breathing room he needs, if I want him to achieve any level of maturity and excellence that only his potential can make me dream of. It is the least I can do for the joy he has given me in so short a time.
I hope he won’t be traumatized by this episode. I hope I can get rid of this icky feeling in my stomach before the day ends.
Just now read people’s responses to my post. I hope what I just posted above clarifies that I do not see him as a monster or paint him with a broad brush as a bigot. You all know me enough to know I won’t turn in my Archucard any time soon.
I am actually much angrier at others who have advised or otherwise pressured David into feeling he had to respond, rather than at David himself.
However, David still did something. And I do not think I am being unfair when I say that what David said was wrong. (In response to MomWithODD, one cannot separate the overt display of sexuality from the sexual orientation of people at the club – wasn’t there a particularly wild Halloween event or jingle thingy that David went to a year ago, without nearly this much hoopla?)
David is loving and open-minded toward virtually everyone – I am certain that, if one explained to him the implications of what he said, he would have regrets. But someone still needs to explain it, and be very clear at explaining it. He deserves to know. And so do the substantial minority of his supporters who are his utterly-devoted gay fans.
yes, JR …. that indeed is absolutley the worst feeling of all about all of this … to think that David might be feeling bad and was put in this situation in the first place by overzealous fans. As a mom that worries about David like a son, I would not want David to be feeling any of these pains … sigh … but I guess there’s a reason for things happen. I trust David.
It’s late here on the west coast, but I couldn’t sleep, so had to get up to put in my 2 cents worth. I agree with everyone that says David is just a 19 year old kid from Utah–has been very protected, controlled up until the last few years. I think we all put him on a pedestal–me included. He has been able to handle so much so well, and now he’s made a blunder and insulted some folks, so it seems. He’s 19, for cryin’ out loud! He will most likely make many mistakes, and the sad thing is, he has to do it all so publically. All this twitter stuff–I just don’t know about it. Too much information too fast, and David trying to do “crowd control”. I feel bad for him. I also feel bad for some commentators here that probably feel insulted. I, too feel like an over protective mama–I would have told him to sleep on it–tomorrow is a new day. I know this will pass, but with all this drama, it makes me afraid for him when he makes his next mistake…..
Ronald, yes I agree this could be a learning experience for David. Hopefully someone,maybe you could explain to him how his message came off as judgmental. You can see what a stir this has caused and I’m sure David would not want to offend someone like you who has been so devoted. This is the first time in two years that anything David has said has come of judgmental. JR’s explanation of the hate that fans have shown probably has shook David to the core. The twiiterworld and Mj’s is hashing all of this to no end. This could be a painful but necessary growth period, Hopefully some healing can take place. Peace to all.
rondaldsf–#84, I agree with you that David needs to know exactly what is wrong with what he says, and its implications. He DOES need to be aware—which makes me wonder who is consulting him. I think he WOULD have misgivings about his statement—probably already does.
Ronald–I love your posts.
I see people posted to a way-old version of my comment #84 but I’m not sure what changed since I edited it… Anyways people seem to get my gist lol.
Anywayz, I appreciate everyone’s listening and patience with me.
Mellowmama (what an apt name!
), you raise the question of who is consulting him… For those of us who get his tweets on our cellphones, at 10:09PM Eastern (20 minutes before his “clarifying” tweets) he sent out a public tweet that said: “Should I tweet that or put it in a blog? Twitter is honestly more public. Only fans really read the blogs.” (This was probably accidental – he has since deleted it on his Twitter page, but it is still saved to my phone.) So he was apparently consulting someone about what he should send out. I’m guessing that David didn’t really care about the nature of the club until it became more of a public issue (hence making his response “more public” beyond the fan sites) – that it was therefore a public-image, business question. Therefore, my hunch is that the impulse to “clarify” didn’t come from David personally (“should I tweet that or put it in a blog?”). He signed off on it, yes, but I think this isn’t merely a personal blunder, but also the product of some bad advice coming from… a manager? a family member? a friend?
Despite what my fiercosity above might suggest, I am actually not very worried for David – my guess is that he’s gone through much greater trials before and he’s going to come through this just fine. These “troubles” are more new to him than anything. Every young person learns through some drama (if only we could shield them from the world…) Better to learn this way actually, than through some more public faux pas. He is a strong and smart cookie.
heidijoy … sorry, I respectfully disagree … there was nothing judgemental about David’s comments. If anything, it’s fans that are judging him from both sides … and as I said before he of all people doesn’t deserve any of this.
That being said … I do so wish he didn’t tweet anything back in response to those naysayers … sigh. Cause now, other nonfan sites may pick this up and put their own spin to it. double UGH!
ronald … you have a heart of gold … just like David!
I am saddened by reading on various blogs how many people have jumped on the David is a homophobe bus. I have watched and read several things about David that shows how caring, accepting and non judgmental David is. I remember him defending Adam Lambert during all that brouhaha when Adam came out. His love of Ellen and his friendliness to Danny Noriega does not scream of any uncomfortable feelings about homosexuality. I do not believe that David was uncomfortable because it was a gay bar, but because it was filled with such open erotic displays, things, I’m pretty sure of, are unfamiliar to him and would make him feel uncomfortable. I am happy and proud of him that even after he found out the circumstances, he stayed there to see and support his friend.
cutter12: “I do not believe that David was uncomfortable because it was a gay bar, but because it was filled with such open erotic displays”
Exactly. David doesn’t feel comfortable talking about sexual matters nor does he feel comfortable in a place that is all about sex and sexuality being emphatized. He wouldn’t go to a strip joint either!
I don’t for one second think David has anything against gay people – he’s just private about all things sexual. He freaked out when Michael Johns threw panties at him, he hasn’t seen an r-rated movie and he hasn’t been kissed. Put a guy like that in an erotic gay bar and tell me he isn’t going to be a bit confused in there!
BTW, it saddens me so to get this concrete evidence of the stupidity of mankind (the rude tweets/Charice bashing/accusing David of all sorts of things). I’m so embarrassed for all the hypocritical bigots that I’m actually trying to become a dog.
So far I’ve peed on a lamp-post (which turned out to be someone’s leg – my bad) and barked at the postman. Next step: learn how to drink water with only my tongue. Not ever gonna drag my butt across the carpet though – my skin is too sensitive.
Embe – As long as you get the puppy dog eye look down, those little indiscretions will be forgiven. Just ask my dog – Meego, he knows how to work it.
cutter, embe … thank you for explaining exactly what I was thinking and tried also to mention above in #82, but I guess not as well … ITA … well, errr, except maybe not so much the dog part, lol!
MomWithODD: You explained it perfectly – I might as well have quoted you in my post. And are you some kind of DOG-PHOBE huh? I think we ALL should enjoy a tasty bone and bury what’s left of it in the neighbour’s yard.
And I ain’t going to deny the urge to poop on all the ignorant morons on twitter etc. I’ll FIGHT the urge, but I won’t deny it.
VUF.
Yes yes, embe, I too will bury the bone with you! Although please allow me to bitchslap (excuse the language) those ignorant twitterers whilest you poop on them! lol!
Ronald, even though you don’t know me and I’m just posting out of the blue … I just want you to know so bad that I do not wish for you to hurt any longer over this, just as I believe David would not want that either. That would be the saddest part of all, for wonderful fans like you to be hurt and if it was misconstrued that David had anything against the gay community. Because as embe and cutter put it also, I don’t believe that is the case at all.
I just came back from a trip and found that all this had gone down. What a mess! I don’t know what to make of it. David has a devoted contingent of gay fans who probably have a lot better perspective of the situation than I would.
But I will say this: I have always maintained that David’s very anti-gay and/or conservative fans will be his own worst enemy if he ever does anything that negates their impression of him. And if David is gay, God help him if he ever comes out. But hopefully by then, he would have thought about the situation so thoroughly and have such a strong sense of self that it wouldn’t matter what some people thought.
The internet, twitter, web sites are all great except for now when we see how intrusive people can be on one singing star. We get closer to him this way, but maybe too close for anyone’s good and in turn he has to defend his Saturday night with friends…
SB
SB, I agree. What a mess the whole way around. He should be able to go where he wants without a bunch of messages from fans.
I maintain that he did not do anything wrong going to that bar. I am not sure who I am more disappointed at, his fans or him.
cutter12: I so appreciate the reminder of David’s interactions with gays in the past, and the erotic nature of the club he visited Saturday night – it does set a bit of a context.
Cutter12 and others, It’s not clear whether you have read my posts carefully through… My focus has been entirely on David’s self-distancing actions afterward.
As for whether David’s issue was simply the expression of sexuality there… I appreciate the sincere effort to protect David’s feelings, but singers don’t have public-image problems because they frequent clubs that have sweaty, half-naked dancers. That is not why David consulted someone and made sure to make a “public” announcement that went beyond the fans, that didn’t stop at merely saying “I was there for Charice.”
We shouldn’t be so defensive for David, and think again what the word “homophobia” means – fear of homosexuality. That’s all it is! If I spurned every person on this earth who expressed homophobia, I would be quite the lonely Ronald. If David went into Club 57 and felt uncomfortable but still didn’t flee for his life to Pinkberry, then great for him! Call me a proud Archumama! David is seeing a bigger world. And I’m sure he was a sweetheart.
I just echo other people’s feelings, that I’m unhappy that homophobia among fans dictated afterward the actions of David himself, a person who normally is quite morally self-assured and independent, to the extent that he reflected it. (And forced him to tweet on a Sunday no less.)
freofan #99…”I am not sure who I am more disappointed at, his fans or him.”
That statement makes my point that no one would be disappointed with anyone especially with David, if twitter did not exist. I believe that this closeness we have been given will not remain this close.
SB
SB, You may be right about remaining this close after this situation.
Ronald: You are right. I have learned something here. See the NEW POST –>
Marlie07 and all – yes sorry! I had three browser tabs open last night and read some rude article or comment somewhere saying David lied to cover up why he was really there. I was responding to that, and apparently in the wrong place. Sorry.
Re David’s father – he is not part of his management any more and hasn’t been for a while. It’s possible David’s A&R guy was with them at some point. David was staying with the A&R guy’s family while in New York. Funny how everywhere he goes, somebody gets a teenage son for a week.
BTW – I saw David replied this to someone:
DavidArchie:
@hamghost I have friends who are gay, and they’re great people. Whether they’re gay or not doesn’t change how I think of them.
@hamghost I have nothing against anyone, I’m sorry if that’s how it came across. I’m just not into the partying scene lol.
Okay, I’ve been an ardent Archie fan ever since I first laid eyes on him, even before his Idol audition aired. I just googled David to see what kind of reactions are out there, and I found a very judgmental article on a gay blog. Lots of commenters slammed David as an ignorant homophobe and one person even called him an @sshole, and it really hurt me to read such terrible things about a person who I know in my heart is a compassionate, good soul through and through. I wrote 2 long comments defending David (you can see them here, under the screen name ArchieFan: http://www.towleroad.com/2010/04/david-archuleta-dont-worry-im-not-gay/comments/page/3/#comments).
I’ve been worried for years that David could be gay because of his Mormon upbringing – I couldn’t care less if he’s gay, but I wouldn’t wish this kind of pain on anyone, least of all my beloved David. Because as hard as it is for ANYONE to come out, imagine how brutal it would be for a kid from a devout Mormon family, whose faith means so much to him. His church and family could actually disown him if he came out as gay. And think of his legions of lovestruck tween and teen fans, who might also disown him! I can’t understand why this is such a big deal to the fans – who cares what gender David happens to be attracted to? Does it make any difference at all if you love him for his gorgeous, angelic voice and loving, adorable personality? If you found out he WERE gay, would you suddenly stop loving him and decide to stone him to death? I thought we weren’t still living in the Dark Ages, but sometimes I wonder…
It’s a weird coincidence that this episode happened the day after I wrote a similar comment on a YouTube video, where outraged fans were responding to longtime accusations that David’s gay. I chided them for being so freaked out about it, and now look what’s happened! Those who think he’s gay have even more fodder for their accusations, and homophobic fans are freaking out more than ever. It makes me sad to see such a senseless, ridiculous display of bigotry in a supposedly “enlightened” country where people are supposed to be free and have equal rights. David is a GOOD SOUL, pure and simple. He doesn’t deserve to be at the center of this firestorm of hostility and hysterical accusations. He’s shared the God-given gift of his glorious voice with all of us, and this is how we repay him? There is nothing wrong with being gay and I don’t believe it’s a sin (but I do believe in God) – not going to start a religious debate though. So I would have an issue with David being homophobic more than with him being possibly gay. But I was satisfied with David’s statement on his Twitter that he has gay friends and doesn’t think of them any differently, so he’s clearly not judgmental about it like most Mormons.
And for those of you who think he’s hiding his sexuality, I might add that just because he’s sweet and sensitive doesn’t make him gay – in fact, that’s what girls love so much about him! If being sweet made a guy gay, I doubt I’d be interested in dating men (and I’m a straight girl)! Isn’t it true that many Mormon boys don’t start dating girls until they’re around David’s age anyway? So don’t jump to conclusions just because he’s not photographed with girls. But even if he is gay, it makes NO DIFFERENCE to me and it shouldn’t matter to his true fans. I can honestly say I’ll always love David and his voice no matter what!
I don’t think he is gay and I don’t care if he is.I will love him always
Can anyone tell me how to display a profile pic?I’m new
So basically nobody believes him?? He said he had no idea what kind of a place it was and that he’s not into the partying scene. He even said “note to self-always ask before you go” implying that if he had been aware of what type of place it was he wouldn’t have gone. So all you people that are saying that he went there because he’s maturing, broadening his horizons, growing up, branching out…..are basically calling him a liar?
Sreelakshmi #108 – Welcome! As to a profile pix, try this:
http://en.gravatar.com/
conditioner7: I believe he didn’t know that he was going to a gay bar. I believe he was uncomfortable. I believe he didn’t have a clue that there was a shitstorm brewing until he started getting twitters from fans (all kinds), and that he posted quickly and perhaps without a lot of thought. I don’t think he’s homophobic, but I think he knows some of his fans are and he responded to that, not thinking that he also was addressing his gay fans.
I also believe if he had taken the time (or been given the time) he would have thought through what he really wanted to say, as Rascal says, “what we (think we) know is in his heart” – I wish he had waited and posted a blog.
Archuperfect88–So ya know, I’ve been a member of the LDS Church for almost 39 years. During that time, I’ve regularly attended church in both Utah and Washington state and have never known or heard of a Mormon disowning their child coz they’re gay. Ever. I’ve also honestly never heard a Church member speak disparagingly about gay people. Not once.
You’re making assumptions that my extensive experience simply does not reflect. The emphasis in the LDS Church is on loving others and perfecting ourselves. I don’t see the judgmentalism you assign to Mormons in actual fact.
Whether you’ll consider it or not, I’m offering a little food for thought…