American Idol's David Hernandez Looks Back on Who He Was Then... and Who He Is Today

David Hernandez on FOX TV's American IdolPhoto byJason LaVeris, Getty Images

David Hernandez gained national attention as a Top 12 finalist on the seventh season of FOX-TV's American Idol. Since then, his talents have been showcased on notable platforms like The Today Show, Ellen and TRL. He even performed at the Inaugural Kick-Off Celebration ball for Barack Obama alongside renowned artists John Legend and Maroon 5.

Hernandez writes and produces his own original music, drawing inspiration from legends like Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Luther Vandross, and Michael Jackson. One of his most notable hits, "Beautiful," made its way to the Top 100 of the Billboard Dance charts, and its music video became a viral sensation.

Now 41, the music star is looking back on his career by releasing a re-imagined version of the title track from his first EP from 2011, I Am Who I Am. The new version has been shortened to “I AM,” but still tells the story of David Hernandez’s earlier years, growing up in a broken home among family members struggling with substance abuse, all while being bullied in school for his differences.

“I was listening to that old record, going down the memory lane of my life and career, remembering that young kid who was scared yet somehow had the audacity to chase his dream on national TV,” he reflects. “It occurred to me how much I still relate to him.”

David Hernandez nowPhoto byOfficialDavidHernandez.com

“So much of what I sang about in my first album still rings true today,” David Hernandez continues from his Los Angeles home. “I’ve worked so hard to overcome the traumas of my childhood, and by the grace of God, I have managed to heal so much of my past pain, but I would be lying if I said that some days weren’t still a struggle. I think I will always be discovering who I am until my dying day. There’s a beauty in that.”

Produced by Alex Teamer, the producer of the 2011 album, the new version of “I AM” is an anthemic pop song, with David’s powerful vocals amplified by the addition of orchestral strings, piano, and drums. Like the original, it delivers hints of soul and R&B but the new version adds major and minor chords throughout that produce a sense of push and pull, reminiscent of the emotional tugs many people battle on their journey to self-discovery. There is also a huge climatic chorus and an ending choir that takes listeners to church with a spiritual experience meant to drive home the feelings of hope and redemption.

The music video, co-produced and directed by David Hernandez and Johny D. and shot in Burbank, echoes the sentiment of the song. It opens with David, the music star, about to perform on stage, greeted by applause and adulation from screaming fans while at the same time, facing an onslaught of criticism and homophobia from the media. The pressure is intense and an emotionally beaten David Hernandez wonders, “Who am I?”.

“I remember the initial excitement of stardom when I thought it was all cheering crowds and fancy clothes,” Hernandez says. “But pretty quickly, the doubts crept in along with the questions: Is this it? Is this me? Did I hit my goal? Have I realized my dreams? Why do I feel so empty?”

In the video, Hernandez finally loses control, ripping his costume off and trashing his dressing room. He walks out to an empty set, in complete silence and loneliness, left to his own thoughts. There is no crowd. There are no distractions. No one is there to lean on. Only him.

David Hernandez says he now understands he is not alone in his mental health struggles and often hears from fans who are facing their own hardships. “It’s why I never want to sugarcoat things in my music,” he explains. “I hate when people act like their life has been a breeze. That's not how life works. Sometimes it's incredible and other times it is really hard. But no matter how difficult it gets, it’s important to remember that we all have the strength and ability to push through our pain and turn it into triumph.”

David Hernandez's new single, "I AM" is available on Spotify. Follow David Hernandez on Instagram @ DHernandezMusic