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David Archuleta Leaves Music to Become Mormon Missionary

'American Idol' finalist to put recording career on hold for two years

December 20, 2011 4:35 PM ET
David Archuleta
David Archuleta performs during the Hollywood Christmas Celebration at The Grove.
Jonathan Leibson/FilmMagic

David Archuleta is leaving show business to serve his church.

Last night, while performing in Salt Lake City, Utah, the 20-year-old pop singer told his audience that he will stop recording or performing music for two years to become a full-time Mormon missionary.

"It's not because someone told me that I was supposed to do it, not because 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," Archuleta explained.

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As his audience applauded, Archuleta broke into tears, then concluded, "It's the same feeling that I've always tried to follow in my life. It's the feeling that's allowed me to have the opportunities I've had, the challenges I've had to overcome, and the blessings, too. I've learned that to trust that feeling. I'm aware that I need to answer when He calls, and that's the reason that I know I need to do this in my life."

Archuleta placed second in the 2008 season of American Idol. His third studio album, The Other Side of Down, was released in 2010 on Jive Records.

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