BEAUTIFUL 2.0: Mila Jam Joins David Hernandez to Celebrate Self-Love This Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day usually comes with roses, chocolates, heart emojis, and a whole lot of pressure to perform romance out loud. But this year, we’re celebrating differently with something deeper. Today, February 14, queer love isn’t just about candlelit dinners; it’s about self-worth, chosen family, and standing fully in who we are. And that’s exactly where BEAUTIFUL 2.0 steps in.
Ten years after first releasing his empowerment anthem Beautiful, David Hernandez returns with BEAUTIFUL 2.0, a reimagined version of the track that meant so much to LGBTQ+ listeners back in 2016. But this isn’t a nostalgia play; it’s growth and evolution. It’s what happens when you revisit a message of self-acceptance after a decade of living, loving, and surviving as your full self.
“When I first released Beautiful, it came from a very grounded and honest place,” Hernandez explains. “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. The world has shifted. Visibility has expanded, but so has resistance, which makes this message feel even more necessary today.”
And that shift is palpable in BEAUTIFUL 2.0. The new version features powerhouse trans artist Mila Jam, whose presence transforms the song into something even more expansive. Her voice doesn’t just harmonize, it testifies. It carries lived experience, resilience, softness, and strength in equal measure.
“Mila doesn’t just sing the message, she embodies it,” Hernandez shares. “Her voice carries resilience, softness, and strength all at once. That kind of representation and mutual understanding is something I’m deeply grateful we can share now.”
Re-produced by Niko The Kid, the track feels refreshed without losing its heart. Hernandez puts it simply: “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.”
In a cultural moment where queer and trans visibility continues to grow—often alongside backlash—BEAUTIFUL 2.0 feels intentional. Urgent, even. “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.”
The official music video, directed by Johny De, mirrors that evolution. Where the original leaned into quiet vulnerability, this new chapter embraces boldness: sequins, laser lights, disco balls, unapologetic glamour. “In 2016, I needed protection on camera,” Hernandez reflects. “Now, I wanted to be seen fully—confident, open, and grounded in who I am. This is me, still human, still growing, but standing in my power.”
More than a re-release, BEAUTIFUL 2.0 reframes Valentine’s Day as a reminder that love starts with honoring ourselves. As Hernandez puts it, “Self-love didn’t come overnight. It was built slowly, imperfectly. Valentine’s Day felt like the right moment to honor love in all its forms.”
And honestly? We couldn’t think of a better way to spend today.
BEAUTIFUL 2.0 is available to stream on all major music platforms. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured Image: Image Courtesy of Project Publicity. Photo by David Laffe
