- - David Archuleta and “America's Got Talent” Winner Bianca Ryan Bond Over Struggling with Vocal Cord Paralysis

Yamillah HurtadoDecember 15, 2025 at 10:04 PM

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Courtesy of Patrick Donovan

David Archuleta during his Christmas concert in New York City on Sunday, Dec. 14 -

David Archuleta reunited with fellow former Star Search contestant Bianca Ryan on stage during his holiday concert at Joe's Pub in New York City on Sunday, Dec. 14

The American Idol runner-up and the first-ever America’s Got Talent winner bonded over their struggles with vocal cord paralysis

The pair performed two duets during the show

David Archuleta reunites with longtime friend and fellow singer Bianca Ryan.

The American Idol runner-up, 34, brought Ryan, the first-ever winner of America’s Got Talent, on stage at his holiday concert in New York City on Sunday, Dec. 14. The pair spoke about meeting on Star Search and bonded over enduring vocal issues earlier in their careers.

When Archuleta introduced Ryan to the audience, he mentioned she had to “overcome so much” and needed to take a break for her voice to heal. Ryan then spoke about undergoing two vocal surgeries and leaving the spotlight for about seven years as a result of vocal cord paralysis, a condition that results in a loss of control of vocal cord muscles.

Archuleta went on to say that he, too, had vocal paralysis but didn’t need surgery as the doctors “caught it very early on.” The singer-songwriter noted that he was diagnosed with vocal paralysis while he was on Star Search at age 12.

Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images

David Archuleta at the Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 27

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“People didn’t know much about vocal paralysis back then when we were young,” Archuleta said. “So, the doctors didn’t know what to tell us. They’re just like, ‘Well, you could try and get surgery, but we don’t know if it’ll help you.’”

Before auditioning for American Idol, Archuleta went to vocal therapy for a couple of years. He credited his vocal paralysis as the reason behind his “smooth” voice.

“My vocal paralysis gave me the tone I have,” Archuleta explained. “So at the beginning I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this sucks.’ But then I’m like, 'Well, I guess, you know, good things can come out of hard times.'”

He continued, “I just want to say that for you, I only know from being there myself, that having to take a break and go through the vocal paralysis, you’ll only come and rise above it.”

Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images

Bianca Ryan in Philadelphia in December 2021

Ryan responded and said, “And every time you take a break... especially something like seven years — you just don’t know if you’re ever going to be on stage ever again. It makes you appreciate it 10 times more.”

“Every time you’re able to get on stage, you just [have] appreciation every time ‘cause sometimes you don’t realize music really is a gift. So, to be able to do that is just amazing,” she added.

In an interview with TV Insider last month, Ryan explained that she has been working “from the ground up” to heal her voice and “completely hone” her technique again.

“I feel like that’s a really important part of this next chapter for me, is getting the right vocal health team and vocal coaching team to really make sure that I get back to being my absolute best, and that I’m singing with all of the best technique that I can,” Ryan said. “That’s going to leave for a very long, lasting career.”

At the holiday concert, billed as My Only Wish, Archuleta and Ryan performed duets of his recent Jordin Sparks collaboration “Wish at the Top of My List" as well as Céline Dion and Andrea Bocelli's "The Prayer."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”