Singer, songwriter, and actor David Hernandez is marking the tenth anniversary of his 2016 anthem Beautiful with a Valentine’s Day re-release, BEAUTIFUL 2.0, featuring transgender artist Mila Jam. Arriving February 14, 2026, the single and music video offer a reimagined celebration of self-love, authenticity, and LGBTQ+ visibility, reminding fans that Valentine’s isn’t just about romantic love, it’s also about honoring yourself.
Unlike a typical remix, Hernandez calls this an evolution. “In 2016, I knew the message was true, but I hadn’t fully lived it yet,” he told Gayety. “Now, it’s about standing in your worth, not just discovering it.” The new version reflects a decade of personal growth, therapy, sobriety, and learning to set boundaries.
A Collaboration Rooted in Friendship and Community
Hernandez and Jam go back years, they were roommates in New York City in 2015. Their shared history gives BEAUTIFUL 2.0 a depth that Hernandez says wouldn’t have been possible a decade ago. “Mila doesn’t just sing the message; she embodies it,” he said. “Her voice carries resilience, softness, and strength. That turns the song into more than a message, it becomes a reflection of what’s possible.”
The collaboration also carries social and political resonance. “Right now, trans people are being targeted in so many ways,” Hernandez said. “Working with Mila says we stand for each other, protect each other, and celebrate each other.”
Reimagined Sound, Renewed Message
Produced by Niko The Kid, the track preserves the heart of the original while feeling fresh and contemporary. Hernandez emphasized that the goal was clarity over volume. “The song didn’t need to be bigger, it needed to be clearer. The production gives the emotions room to land. It feels current, but timeless.”
The music video, directed by Johny De, follows a similar philosophy. While the original visual leaned into quiet vulnerability, this chapter celebrates bold style, joy, and performance. Disco balls, sequins, and laser lights set the stage for a confident, radiant Hernandez and Jam. “Back then, vulnerability felt like something I had to protect,” Hernandez said. “Now I wanted to be seen fully, confident, open, grounded in who I am.”
Love, Visibility, and Joy as Resistance
Releasing BEAUTIFUL 2.0 on Valentine’s Day reframes the holiday as a celebration of self-love, chosen family, and authenticity. Hernandez described self-love as an ongoing practice, not a destination. “It looks like choosing peace, protecting your energy, and enjoying the good moments without waiting for something to go wrong,” he said.
“The timing feels intentional,” Hernandez added. “Valentine’s Day felt like the right moment to honor love in all its forms, not just romantic love. It’s a chance to remind people that they’re allowed to exist fully and shine.”
The Valentine’s Day release also gives the song extra urgency amid the current political climate. “Visibility has grown, but so has resistance. Joy itself can be an act of resistance,” Hernandez explained. “This version of the song is saying, ‘We are still here, we are still worthy, and we are not shrinking.’”
A Message for Fans Old and New
For LGBTQ+ fans who discovered Beautiful in a moment of survival, Hernandez hopes the re-release inspires growth, dreaming, and confidence. “If the original was about holding on, this version invites you to start believing that joy and love are possible, even if you’re not there yet,” he said.
Hernandez also spoke to the responsibility he feels as a visible queer artist. “Having visibility is powerful, but boundaries are powerful too. I get to decide how I show up, and that feels empowering. At the same time, I feel a responsibility to speak for my community. Something you say or do could genuinely change someone’s life for the better.”
BEAUTIFUL 2.0 and its official music video are now available on all major streaming platforms.
