David Hernandez is BEAUTIFUL 2.0
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By Tim Blakenship
Ten years after it first arrived as a quiet but powerful declaration of self-worth, David Hernandez’s “Beautiful” is returning as a reflection of growth, resilience, and deeper self acceptance.
“BEAUTIFUL 2.0,” a reimagined version of his beloved 2016 anthem, accompanied by an official music
video and featuring acclaimed transgender artist Mila Jam. For many LGBTQ+ listeners, “Beautiful” became a lifeline: an empowerment song that didn’t shout but instead affirmed. It offered permission to be vulnerable, to define beauty on one’s own terms, and to exist authentically in a world that often
resists those truths. A decade later Hernandez says the message hasn’t changed, but his relationship to it has matured. “When I first released ‘Beautiful,’ it came from a very grounded and honest place. I knew who I was then, and I believed in the message I was putting out. What’s changed now is the depth of that knowing. The message lands from an even steadier place; less about discovering your
worth and more about fully standing in it.” That evolution is at the heart of “BEAUTIFUL 2.0.” Rather than remixing the original, Hernandez chose to rebuild the song with intention, allowing space for lived
experience: his own and others’. “The world has shifted,” he adds. “Visibility has expanded, but so has resistance, which makes this message feel even more necessary today.” Central to that expansion is Mila
Jam, whose presence transforms the song into a shared statement rather than a solo reflection. A longtime friend of Hernandez — the two were roommates in New York City in 2015 — Jam brings an emotional truth rooted in lived trans experience. “Mila doesn’t just sing the message, she embodies it,” Hernandez says. “Her voice carries resilience, softness, and strength all at once.” Their collaboration feels deeply personal and politically resonant, particularly at a time when trans visibility is both celebrated and challenged. By preserving the emotional core of the original while opening it up to more stories, “BEAUTIFUL 2.0” reinforces the idea that community is where self-love thrives.
The song’s updated production, handled entirely by Niko The Kid, reflects that clarity. Polished but
restrained, the arrangement allows the lyrics to breathe without overwhelming them. “The song didn’t need to be bigger, it needed to be clearer,” Hernandez explains. “It feels current, but timeless.”
That same philosophy carries into the official music video, which reunites Hernandez with director Johny De following their collaboration on “feel it all.” Where the original visual centered on quiet vulnerability, this new chapter embraces visibility and joy. Sequins, laser lights, and disco balls replace
guarded restraint, creating a celebration of confidence and selfworth. “In 2016, I needed protection
on camera,” Hernandez reflects. “Now, I wanted to be seen fully. I’m confident, open, and grounded in who I am.” The choice to release “BEAUTIFUL 2.0” on Valentine’s Day was no accident. For Hernandez, the holiday has become less about romance and more about honoring self-love and chosen family. “Self-love didn’t come overnight,” he says. “It was built slowly, imperfectly. Valentine’s Day felt
like the right moment to honor love in all its forms.” As queer and trans conversations continue to evolve, “BEAUTIFUL 2.0” stands as both a reminder and an invitation. “This isn’t about telling
people who to be,” Hernandez says. “It’s about reminding them they’re allowed to exist fully, even on days when confidence feels out of reach.”
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