'American Idol' Runner-up David Archuleta Leaving Music for Mormon Mission

"American Idol" runner-up David Archuleta announced at a concert in Utah last night that he will take a break from his fledgling career to go on a two-year mission typical for Mormons men his age.

"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," said Archuleta.

Archuleta made the announcement during a performance in Salt Lake City during the "My Kind of Christmas" tour.

The announcement was greeted by wild cheers from the largely Mormon audience in Archuleta's hometown.

Archuleta was runner-up in season 7 of "American Idol." His self-titled 2008 album sold over 750,000 copies in the U.S. and over 900,000 worldwide.

Watch Archuleta's tearful announcement here: