I want to be an advocate for those little kids that may not see a future for themselves because of their sexual orientation. The world is harsh but there’s so much love out there too. Let’s spread that.

American Idol’s David Hernandez released “ILY.”, a new summer anthem that is perfect for the Pride season, on May 21.

“I want everyone to be able to identify with the song’s message. We are lacking inclusion in music and it needs to be recognized because inclusion inspires understanding and humanizes our experiences,” Hernandez said of “ILY.”

American Idol’s David Hernandez has recently released his new single and music video, “Sorry.” Produced by Alex and Deshawn Teamer (father and son team), and written with Michael Orland, the song is a metaphoric letter to those David has hurt in the past as well as those who have hurt him. “Fifteen years ago, I met someone incredible,” he recalls. “I was just out of a break-up and not in the state of mind to realize how good this person was until it was too late. I broke their heart, lost them, and have never spoken with this person since, but they are forever imprinted on my heart.”

“Honestly, being on both sides of a break up and losing the person or vice versa. Sometimes when you apologize too late, it’s just not enough. I know some people also experience this with family grudges and since we aren’t promised tomorrow, it’s better to swallow your pride and mend the relationship. But sometimes it’s still not enough. I think everyone can relate to it in some way.”

Performing was in his blood from the start, as he started singing at the tender age of six. After making his stage debut in a production of Annie, he went on to tarring in musicals and performing with various theatre companies.

David says he has been on the other side, too, where he’s had to decide if it was better to stay with someone who caused him pain or walk away and cut his losses.  “Whichever way you want to look at it, the result is ending up alone and loneliness sucks, but when you’ve had enough, your mind can’t be changed.”

“In other cases, addiction can lead to mistakes and destroy a relationship,” he continues.   “Changing your behavior and apologizing to yourself for the harm you caused is the first step. Trying to repair relationships is next but it isn’t always possible.” 

On the idea for "Sorry," he said, "I sat down with my American Idol mentor Michael Orland, and the words literally flowed out. I've had relationships where I've messed up and said 'sorry' too late to salvage anything. I think everyone can relate to something like that."

David says he has been on the other side, too, where he’s had to decide if it was better to stay with someone who caused him pain or walk away and cut his losses. "Whichever way you want to look at it, the result is ending up alone and loneliness sucks, but when you’ve had enough, your mind can’t be changed." he says.18-year old Deshawn Teamer produced the drums, guitar and overall track for "Sorry". He is the son of Hernandez’s long-time producer, Alex Teamer, who also produced the single and David’s very first album back in 2011. The father-son team manage to give the mid-tempo track a Chainsmoker vibe while keeping David’s authentic vocals intact.

“Fifteen years ago, I met someone incredible,” he recalls. “I was just out of a break-up and not in the state of mind to realize how good this person was until it was too late. I broke their heart, lost them, and have never spoken with this person since but they are forever imprinted on my heart.”

American Idol alum David Hernandez is letting us into his kingdom. The pop singer unveiled his first album in seven years, the self-released Kingdom: The Mixtape, on Monday (Oct. 1). With collaborations from fellow American Idol alum Blake Lewis, he promises to encompass an extensive range of genres — powerful ballads (including “Break,” which documents his struggles with addiction), soul and R&B-leaning tracks, and a couple of dance numbers. 

Seven years after the release of his coming out album, I Am Who I Am, American Idol’s David Hernandez is back with Kingdom: the Mixtape. Self-produced and recorded in various home studios in Los Angeles, California — proving artists don’t need fancy studios to make a great record anymore — Kingdom: the Mixtape is David’s first full album release since 2011’s I Am Who I Am. The record displays a fresh sound for Hernandez. Amongst its many highlights, it includes collaborations with fellow American Idol Blake Lewis and the Grammy winning producer of Black Eyed Peas, Printz Board.

American Idol’s David Hernandez has released his highly anticipated second studio album Kingdom: the Mixtape through his own label.  Self-produced and recorded in various home studios in Los Angeles, California — proving artists don’t need fancy studios to make a great record anymore — Kingdom: the Mixtape is David’s first full album release since 2011’s I Am Who I Am.  The record displays a fresh sound for Hernandez and includes collaborations with fellow American Idol Blake Lewis and the Grammy winning producer of Black Eyed Peas, Printz Board.  The music video for the album’s first single, “Shield (Coat of Armor)” is available now on Youtube.  

“I’ve been sitting on most of this material for years, waiting for the right time to release it,” says David Hernandez of his new album, Kingdom: the Mixtape.   “I’ve listened to too many people’s opinions about when to release, how, what images and content are appropriate… I was just over listening to what other people think I should do.  One day I finally stepped back and realized I had a great body of work that deserves to be heard, now.”

“I’ve been sitting on most of this material for years, waiting for the right time to release it”, says David Hernandez of his new album, Kingdom: the Mixtape. I’ve listened to too many people’s opinions about when to release, how, what images and content are appropriate? I was just over-listening to what other people think I should do.  One day I finally stepped back and realized I had a great body of work that deserves to be heard, now.

The follow-up to his 2011 debut album, I Am Who I Am, this new collection of 20 tracks reflects many of the highs and lows he’s experienced since his time on the American Idol stage in 2008, including his sometimes crunchy relationship with the music industry.

In Kingdom: the Mixtape, David Hernandez delivers 20 original tracks plus a cappella versions of “Kingdom” and “Where Love Begins” as well as a bonus cover of Hailee Steinfeld’s “Starving,” featuring YouTube star Rajiv Dhall. Many of the songs reflect on the heartbreaks and loss Hernandez has experienced over the last decade since rising to fame on American Idol. They explore his rebuilding trust and love, his refusal to give up, his persistence to change for the better and to grow as a human. Other songs touch on forgiveness, joy, and fun because as David explains, “Life isn’t always that serious and sometimes you just wanna let go and rage!”

George Michael performed during Hernandez' season of American Idol, and Hernandez had the chance to share the stage with him as part of the Top 12. "There are so many things I admired about him. He was a trendsetter, and so influential in music. Growing up, my mother loved him and his music," he said. "I listened to him a lot, and everybody tells me that I sound like George Michael, and you don't realize that as a kid. He definitely was an idol of mine, along with Prince and David Bowie. They broke those barriers down.”

Singer-songwriter David Hernandez has one of the best singles of 2016 with "Beautiful." It is indeed beautiful, to quote its title. Its inspirational music video will certainly strike a chord with his fans and listeners. Hernandez is not afraid to display his vulnerability on this track, as he is able to convey a wide spectrum of raw emotions in his performance. The song contains elements of pop, rock, dance and adult contemporary music.

From Frenchie Davis to Adam Lambert, the machine that is “American Idol” has brought us some amazing voices that are part of the LGBT community. After a public coming out & a fantastic new single “Beautiful”, Season Seven contestant David Hernandez is now able to join that illustrious group. Hernandez sat down with us for a deeply personal chat, where we spoke about what brought him to publicly come out, what his journey on “Idol” was like, and why “Beautiful” and his new music is so extremely personal.

The message that we should all be able to love ourselves is the central focus of “Beautiful,” a new single out Tuesday from season 7 American Idol alum David Hernandez, who impressed the judges with a searing vocal on the Temptations’ “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” That performance placed in the top 40 on Billboard’s ranking of the top 100 performances in Idol history.

Though he didn't win, 33-year-old "American Idol" finalist David Hernandez is parlaying his TV fame into a successful singing career. Blessed with a beautiful singing voice and beautiful looks, Hernandez, who recently came out, spoke to us about his music, why coming out was important to him, and about other aspects of his life.

In 2008, Hernandez made it onto the reality competition series American Idol, landing in the top 12 before being eliminated. Rumors, however, quickly started circulating about the “real reason” Hernandez was sent home. Viewers bombarded Hernandez with comments about his past as a male stripper and soon questioned his sexuality, wondering if it influenced his exit from Idol.

Los Angeles, CA - Life is Beautiful these days for David Hernandez, the 33-year-old singer who hit the mainstream through American Idol in 2008, though was embroiled in a semi-sex-scandal and ousted from the show before many anticipated.

David explained that when details of his past emerged it was “hard to go online and not read something negative about myself” and that the drama hit him and his family hard. He said: “My dad still knew nothing about my sexuality or my profession. So when it’s plastered all over CNN that’s not how somebody really wants to go down.” David’s announcement about his sexuality comes as he releases his brand new single, Beautiful, and its accompanying music video which sees the singer confront his own negative self-image.

This love song's lyrics are meaningful and special, to the point, where anybody can relate to them. The lyrics are heartfelt and inspirational, and they compliment the song's music video well. In the music video, Hernandez is in top form, physically and vocally.

“When I was on Idol almost ten years ago, it was a whole different ballgame I feel,” he said in his low smooth voice, “I mean...the people that were gay and out had already been established and they had already done their thing in the industry, whether it was acting, or music — whatever it was entertainment-wise. And those people were then, you know, coming out and all that kind of stuff. Nowadays, I feel like it’s so much more accepted and not such an issue, which I think is a beautiful thing.”