David Archuleta Dropped

David Archuleta Dropped, American Idol alum David Archuleta has announced that he’s putting music on hold to embark on a two-year Mormon mission.(The sound you just heard was a collective scream of sorrow from a grief-stricken generation of tween pop fans.)

In the words of Ryan Seacrest: Archuleta out!

Former American Idol finalist David Archuleta is taking a two-year break from the recording industry to embark on a religious mission for the Mormon church.

The baby-faced crooner, a native of Salt Lake City, made the emotional announcement in front of the hometown crowd at his My Kind of Christmas show on Monday night.

“I would like to make a special announcement that I’ve chosen to serve a full-time mission,” Archuleta said, fighting back tears as the audience cheered.

Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are usually around 20 years old and can be sent anywhere in the world to serve for two years. Their time is completely devoted to spreading the church’s gospel. Mormon missionaries are not allowed to date and must adhere to a strict dress code and rules of conduct.

“It’s not because somebody told me that I was supposed to do it, not because that I no longer want to do music anymore, but it’s because it’s the feeling that I felt that I need to do next in my life,” the “Something ‘Bout Love” singer explained.

“It’s just the same feeling that I’ve always followed, tried to follow in my life. It’s the feeling that has allowed me to have the opportunities that I’ve had, the challenges that I’ve overcome and the blessings, too,” David added.

“And I’ve learned to trust that feeling and I’ve learned that I need to answer when it calls. And that is the reason why I know I need to do this in my life.”

Archuleta, 20, is best remembered as runner-up to Idol champ David Cook during the show’s seventh season. David warmed the hearts of A.I. enthusiasts enthralled with the triumphant victory he made over the vocal paralysis that silenced his signature singing voice in 2004.

Boyish good looks and an angelic set of pipes never quite translated into stellar album sales for the singer/songwriter, however. It was those lack of receipts that cost David his recording contract with Jive Records last year.

Archie, as he is affectionately known to fans, was dropped by the imprint after his sophomore album, The Other Side of Down, failed to achieve the platinum status of his self-titled 2008 debut.

To date, Down has sold under 100,000 copies.

Archuleta was the subject of the 2010 tome, Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song and the Power of Perseverance, a tale of the heartthrob’s family life growing up in Utah.

David Archuleta

David Archuleta, “American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta has told fans he will become a full-time missionary for the Mormon Church in the next stage of his life. Archuleta, 20, made the tearful announcement at a concert in his hometown of Salt Lake City on Monday to cheers and applause from the audience.

“I have chosen to serve a full-time mission for Jesus Christ and his Latter Day Saints,” Archuleta told the audience. The singer also posted a video of his announcement on his official website.

“It’s not because someone told me I was supposed to do it, not because I no longer want to do music anymore, but it’s (what) I feel I need to do next in my life,” the singer said.

Archuleta’s decision will mean putting his music career on hold. Mormon missionaries are expected to put school, work and dating aside for two years to devote themselves to preaching the church’s gospel.

Missionaries are also told not to watch television, use the Internet or take part in dangerous sports, and to go to bed at 10:30 pm each night.