He’s back! American Idol alum David Archuleta returned home earlier this month after being away for two years on his Mormon missionary trip to South America.
The season seven Idol runner-up, 23, greeted fans with a big smile and a few simple words in a video posted to his official YouTube page on Monday, March 24. “Hola! Hey, everyone,” he said in the clip, titled “Words we have been waiting for…” and filmed outside what appears to be the airport. “It’s Elder Archuleta here. And…I’m home. I’m home.”
A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the “Something ‘Bout Love” singer left for Chile in early 2012. He explained the trip in a video to fans shortly before his departure, saying he wanted to keep the details of his mission private.
“It’s a decision everyone knows about, but it’s a very personal thing, and I wanted to keep it that way, so I hope you guys respect that,” he said at the time. “I’ve been able to bring you guys on this journey so far, but I hope that you guys will respect that this will be more of a personal thing, that I’m trying to focus on something else now, not my career, not trying to do music.”
“I will see you all in two years,” he added. “God bless. Take care.”
