David Archuleta Debuts 'Hell Together' Music Video with Rare Footage of Him as a Baby (Exclusive)

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The video represents his emotional journey leaving the Mormon church and his love for his mom, who also stepped away from it after he did to support him

David Archuleta is honoring the unconditional love from his mom in his new music video for “Hell Together,” the song she inspired him to write.

Premiering exclusively on PEOPLE, the “Hell Together” music video sees the 33-year-old musician playing piano and singing inside a church, while Olivia Cava interprets the song’s emotional lyrics through dance.

“The video is a simple concept to portray the emotions of leaving a place you once felt as your purpose and identity but now no longer do,” Archuleta, who came out as queer in 2021 and left the Mormon church a year later, tells PEOPLE.

“You know you’re supposed to leave but also feel hesitant and scared to leave a place that was what you knew and was your world,” he added.

<p>David Archuleta/YouTube</p> David Archuleta inside a church in his “Hell Together” music video

David Archuleta/YouTube

David Archuleta inside a church in his “Hell Together” music video

Related: David Archuleta Reveals What His Mom Texted After 'Hell Together' Came Out (Exclusive)

After stepping away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Archuleta didn’t hear from his mom, Lupe Bartholomew, for a few days and assumed they wouldn’t speak again.  

However, days later, he received a notification from her explaining her departure from the church, too: “She [texted], ‘I don’t want to be somewhere where my children don’t feel welcomed, loved, and accepted … if you’re going to Hell, we are all going to Hell with you.’ ”

<p>David Archuleta/YouTube</p> David Archuleta and his mom, Lupe Bartholomew.

David Archuleta/YouTube

David Archuleta and his mom, Lupe Bartholomew.

Archuleta highlights their mother-son bond in his lyrics, singing, “You and me, that’s all we need. Blood is thicker than the pages that they read.”

Fans first saw his mom support him on the seventh season of American Idol in 2008 and again throughout the years at events and on social media.

Archuleta is expressing his gratitude toward her in the new Lily Judge-directed music video with rare home footage of her hanging out with Baby Archie as an infant and young child.

<p>David Archuleta/YouTube</p> “It also represents my mom’s love and passion as she herself is a dancer,” David Archuleta said about his new music video.

David Archuleta/YouTube

“It also represents my mom’s love and passion as she herself is a dancer,” David Archuleta said about his new music video.

Related: David Archuleta Says Mormon Friends Are 'Cold' to Him 1 Year After Leaving Church: 'They've Moved On' (Exclusive)

He also revealed that the dancing in the video is a nod to his mom.

“The dancing represents the energy of love that propels you forward into the next chapter of your life,” he tells PEOPLE. “It also represents my mom’s love and passion as she herself is a dancer.”

The release of the “Hell Together” music video comes just days after Archuleta returned to American Idol on Monday, April 22 to perform the song.

Related: David Archuleta Calls 'The Masked Singer' Experience 15 Years After 'American Idol' 'Healing' (Exclusive)

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“I love you, mom. Thanks for inspiring this song,” he said onstage after the performance to host Ryan Seacrest, who replied, “Beautiful song.”

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Read the original article on People.