This February, David Hernandez marks a decade since the release of his breakout single Beautiful, with a new version called, Beautiful 2.0, with video featuring queer icon Mila Jam. For Hernandez, the song was more than just a musical milestone—it was a public coming-out moment, even though he had been living openly as a gay man for years. “I think I was officially out around 21, but Beautiful brought it into the public eye,” he explains. The song’s release in 2016 not only showcased his vocal talent but also positioned him as a visible voice within the queer community.
Hernandez first gained widespread recognition on American Idol, where he shared stages with legends like Donna Summer, George Michael, and Bryan Adams. Though the experience came with challenges—he recalls being eliminated after a story broke about him dancing at a gay club—he reflects on it with perspective. “At the time, the climate was a lot different,” he says. “Stories about your sexuality could be really damaging, but looking back, it was instrumental in shaping my career and who I’ve become.” Beyond Idol, Hernandez’s interactions with fellow alumni like David Archuleta have left lasting impressions, including moments of shared visibility at Pride events.
Over the past decade, Hernandez has expanded his artistic reach beyond music into acting and innovative digital formats. He has appeared in holiday specials, feature films like Glamping, where he plays a serial killer in a suspenseful, thriller-horror hybrid, and numerous vertical shorts—a serialized, short-form digital medium that allows independent artists to be seen without traditional representation. “Verticals have become such an incredible platform for emerging talent,” he says. “They allow artists to be recognized purely for their craft.” With over a dozen vertical projects under his belt, Hernandez views this as a creative outlet that complements his music while pushing him to explore new storytelling forms.
The 10th anniversary of Beautiful brings a fully reimagined version, Beautiful 2.0, produced by Niko the Kid, with new vocals from both Hernandez and Mila Jam. “Collaborating with Mila, who is a powerhouse in the trans and queer communities, just made sense,” he says. Their friendship began when they were roommates in New York in 2015, and over the past decade, it has grown into a creative partnership grounded in trust and mutual respect. Hernandez describes Mila as not only a brilliant performer but also a tireless advocate for her community, making the project both personally meaningful and socially resonant.
For Hernandez, Beautiful carries a message far beyond music: radical self-love and representation. “I want people to see that you are beautiful, you are worthy, and you deserve to live in your truth,” he says. The new video, featuring Hernandez and Mila together, highlights queer intersections rarely seen on screen—showing love and solidarity between a gay man and a trans woman. “Representation matters,” he emphasizes. “We’re reminding people that everyone belongs, that our communities are vast and diverse, and that love and acceptance are powerful.”
Looking ahead, Hernandez is excited about continued music releases, new film projects, and the evolving landscape of digital storytelling. Drawing inspiration from legends like Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and Beyoncé, as well as contemporary innovators like Timothée Chalamet and Jeremy Pope, he continues to push boundaries creatively. Yet at the heart of everything remains the core message of Beautiful: living authentically, embracing your identity, and celebrating the inherent worth of every individual.
Through music, film, and advocacy, David Hernandez has built a decade-long career that is as much about art as it is about visibility and community. With Beautiful’s anniversary, he invites fans old and new to join him in celebrating authenticity, joy, and the radical power of self-acceptance.
Beautiful 2.0 featuring Mila Jam drops Valentine’s Day (2/14/26).
