Come be a part of the crowd this Friday for the concert scene for Nandito Ako! Sad that this is the last week filming for the mini-series, Nandito Ako. It’s been a fun time with everyone. We’re going to try and make it a great last week here!

“I’ve felt like I’ve grown so much, and I’ve really improved with my acting,” he says in his latest video blog. Some recent scenes have required David to display more extreme emotions than he’s accustomed to. “It was a great challenge for me,” he says.

Wanted to make a quick video before being Josh, haha, and before I started shooting the scenes for Nandito Ako.

Glimpse of Nandito Ako Photoshoot thanks to MYK! 

David Archuleta – @ #NaritoAko Promo Photoshoot – PRACTICING SPIELS (14 Jan 2012)

Sunday Night Round-Up

being introduced to Ms. Dolly Anne Carvajal

singing "Hello Dolly" while signing on a small piece of paper.

Thanks @mykapalaran for amazing pictures of David <3

Headed to the Philippines later today! I’ll be arriving this week to start a new adventure in acting haha. I’m nervous, but also really excited to try this new experience. I’ll be doing a mini-series for TV5 and will be filming in the Philippines for the next few weeks. Hope everyone has had a good start to their year and I’ll talk to you guys when I arrive in Manila!

“The Next Thing in My Life”

I have given myself 30 minutes, and 30 minutes only, to write this reflection.  So here goes!

David Archuleta has announced plans to embark upon a two-year LDS mission, starting at some point during the first half of 2012.

That simple statement has created a maelstrom within Archie fandom.

Fan Reaction

The fan reaction has been complex and varied: joy, pride, excitement, sadness, anger, confusion, fear.  Twitter exploded; FOD’s comments section exploded (and is still explosive).  “This is so David.”  “I’m so happy for him; I can see that he’s happy, and that’s enough for me.”  “I guess this is the end of his music career.”  “I can’t believe I won’t hear from him for two years!”  “The music industry will leave him behind.”  “He won’t return to pop music.”

Perhaps not surprisingly, the announcement sparked a sometimes contentious discussion of religious doctrine right here on FOD.

I just want to say that all fans’ reactions and emotions are valid.  If you are one of the many fans who are shocked, sad, worried, and grieving, that certainly does not preclude you from the exalted status of one who “gets David.”  You are all entitled to feel exactly how you feel, and since we are a family here, you can come here to express those feelings.  And then get the proper amount of virtual love and support.

The Stages of Grief

It is interesting to observe fans moving through these stages.  C’mon, let’s poke just a bit of fun at ourselves.

Denial:  “I bet he won’t do a full mission.  It must be a 6-month thing.  And I bet his mission will be in L.A., recording and performing music, because that definitely counts as a mission!”

Anger:  “How could he make this announcement right before Christmas?  Why is he throwing his career away?  How could he do this?!?!?”

Bargaining:  “DAVID!  If you will just change your mind, we will totally be here for you!  Please, please, please do your mission in [fill in the blank here with your geographical area].”

Depression:  “I’ve been crying my eyes out; I don’t know if I have any tears left.  What will I do for the next two years?!?”

Acceptance:  “I’ve had some time to get used to the idea, and I think it’s going to be okay.  He will be back.  He WILL be back!  HE WILL BE BACK!!!!!!”

Details

David knows where he will be serving his mission.  We do not know yet.  I hope it’s somewhere where he can become more fluent in Spanish.  Honduras would be way cool, and this not a hint, just speculation on my own part.

The mission will begin at some point within the first half of 2012.  That could mean any time January-June, couldn’t it?  I’m willing to bet that it will be closer to May/June.  Again, speculation.

During his mission, David will not be tweeting, making vlogs to post on YouTube, or allowed access to the internet.  He will not have direct communication with his fans.  This has been verified.  He CAN communicate via his family and the church, and will certainly do so.  So you WILL get updates on David’s well-being.  Perhaps he will be able to write a blog as sponsored through the church.  We’re not sure yet. 

One thing we do know: for two years, David will be immersed in serving others and spreading the word of God according to the doctrines of the LDS church.  He must lose himself in love of and service to others, and to do that, he must be freed from the distraction and chaos of the music industry, the internet, and the world in general.  “We need silence to be able to touch souls.”

Why?

David has witnessed many of his friends serve missions and experience profound spiritual and personal growth because of it.  He has said himself that it’s time, it’s just time, for this “next stage in my life.”  Nobody told him; he simply listened closely to the voice that he has learned to trust implicitly.  Simple and beautiful as that.

Is His Music Career Over?

No.  David will be making music for the rest of his life.  It’s just “crazy to think he won’t return to a career in music” (that’s a quote from someone who knows).  Will it be pop music?  We don’t know, and maybe he doesn’t, either.  I think David loves pop music as well as sacred music, so I cannot imagine that he won’t pursue both.  It just depends what the radio enviroment is in early 2014, but really, nothing is going to silence the jukebox that is the Archuleta.  I think it’s a very safe bet that David will be a force in popular music once again.

What we can say for sure is that a two-year hiatus on performances will give him an incredible opportunity for a big “comeback,”  a return to the scene.  Many, many artists take breaks much longer than two years, and come back stronger than ever.  The volume of buzz that can be generated WHEN he returns will be insane.  “David Archuleta returns from mission and debuts his new single!”  He will arrive with a rich wealth of experience to write about, with new layers to his personality, and most likely, with a new language to draw from.

What Will We Do While He’s Gone?

Well, that’s for you to figure out.  My hope is that if you’ve been inspired by David over the past four years, you will now be inspired to realize your own creativity and gifts.  Write music.  Paint.  Learn an instrument.  Do some volunteer work.  Learn a language.  Listen to your own voice that must not be ignored.  Pry yourself away from Twitter and hours and hours of conversation about David Archuleta and immerse yourself in your own life.

Oh…here’s another thing you can do.  You may be able look forward to new music from David.  Why?  Because David has already mentioned that he will be recording music this year, here shortly.  It’s very likely that new music will be released in well-spaced intervals while he is serving his mission.  (Very likely does not mean 100% certain, it just means very likely.)

Will I See Him Before He Leaves?

David never said that Beaver Creek was his last performance before leaving.  I think it would be brilliant for him to do a “See You Later” or “I’ll Be Back” tour in the U.S.

Or how about titling the tour “Wait”?!?!?!?  The Wait Tour!  Brilliant!  A little tour with varied stops throughout the U.S. to reassure fans that David Archuleta is, in fact, here to stay, if you just care to wait for him.

And the Philippines trip.  Don’t forget about that.

Keep the flame burning.  Feel how you need to feel about all of this, but understand that FOD is here to stay as long as David wants us here.  We will continue to support and promote him and his music while he serves his mission.  I am thrilled for him, and thrilled for us, because there are so, so many good things to come.

Thank you so much David for your sweet holiday message, and the awesome photo! Happy Holidays to you and your family, too!

Had such a great time! Thanks everyone for coming out to the shows! We hope you all enjoyed. It meant a lot to have you there for this last tour and look forward to what’s ahead!

A special announcement to tell everyone at the Salt Lake City show during the My Kind of Christmas Tour.

I can’t tell you how special it’s been being able to come back here and do this Christmas tour and sing these songs that just mean a lot to me and to have all of you here tonight with us. There’s no place like home. I always say that. Looking back through these last few years and all the support we’ve had and all the amazing experiences we’ve had and I’ve had, I feel very blessed in my life. While I’m home in front of you guys here tonight, I would like to make a special announcement that I’ve chosen to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It’s not because someone 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. It’s just the same feeling that I’ve always followed, 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 to trust that feeling and I’ve learned that I need to answer when it calls. That is the reason why I know that I need to do this in my life. I just wanted to thank you guys. I’ll be going the first half of next year. I just wanted announce that while I was home here in front of you guys because you mean so much to me. Thank you so much.

~David Archuleta

FYI, a Mormon mission is 2 years of full time religious service for the Mormon church. His church will send him somewhere in the world to do religious work. It is something the young men of his church do voluntarily.

I’m bursting in tears but we are so proud of him, such a tough desicion!

Good luck on your mission David! We will always support and love you!

You are the bravest man I’ve ever met!

#OnceAnArchieAlwaysAnArchie

#ThankyouDavidArchie

After the SLC concert, David tweeted to thank his fans for the understanding, love, and support they’ve been showing.

Source: DavidArchie (David’s Twitter)

Had a day off here in the Bay Area of California. Went to Alcatraz with mi familia. Idaho and Cedar City shows went great! Santa Rosa and LA area next!

P/s: HD is available