American Idol Alum David Hernandez
Releases: “Sorry”
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.” Being distributed independently, David Hernandez’s “Sorry” is available now on Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Tik-Tok, Amazon, and all other major e-music retailers. Its music video is on Youtube.
“Most of us carry regrets in life,” David reflects from his Los Angeles home. “If someone passes away and you didn’t get to say your goodbye, it can have a lasting impact on your soul. We tend to let our egos get the best of us, but later wish we could have said something sooner.” “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.”
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.”
It was a pleasure to sit down with David, once again, for this Hotspots interview:
It’s been about a year since we chatted what have you been up to other than this new song?
Time flies!! Well, I released an album “Kingdom: The Mixtape” and got back in the studio to record my current single “Sorry.” I just released the music video which is now available on YouTube. I was also touring and singing before the pandemic hit, which was fun because I love connecting with my fans. I had a bunch of tour dates scheduled but obviously those were cancelled or had to be rescheduled. I am excited to get back in the studio and release new projects that I have been working on. In the meantime, I do a live stream every Saturday night at 11pm (EST) on Instagram & Facebook. I sing a bunch of original songs and also take requests.
Is there a special man in your life?
I’ve been with my boyfriend, Derek Caldera, for 3 years now. He is actually the director of the music video for “Sorry” and “Shield.” He’s a super creative person so his hands and eyes have been integral in the music video process over the last couple of years.
Do you keep in touch with any of the singers you competed with on the seventh season of American Idol?
Yes, I keep in touch with a lot of them. We all shared a really unique experience and became a family. I keep in regular contact with Chikezie, Syesha Mercado and Ramiele. Carly Smithson came to my show last year in San Diego. I also speak with contestants from other seasons. Blake Lewis, Elliott Yamin, Mikalah Gordon, Haley Reinhart, Brandon Rogers, and Joshua Ledet are all friends.
Just Sam, who was just crowned last Sunday as the new American Idol, is a really good friend of mine. We met through her audition process on Idol and she’s been on my live stream a few times. I am so happy that she won and I’m proud to see her grow and excel in her career! We are definitely going to collaborate at some point.
We read above what the song “Sorry” is about, but how did you decide to write/record this song?
I called my mentor/friend, Michael Orland, and asked if he wanted to write a song. There was no agenda when we got in the studio. I sat down and he started playing his piano and the melody was so beautiful. I immediately began writing and the words just flowed out. I think we have all been in situations where sorry was just not enough and couldn’t mend the relationship. I can speak from a personal experience when it comes to that, and it’s painful. Initially I wrote the song for a country artist like Carrie Underwood or Rascal Flatts. They could still cut the song but I knew I had to release my version of it too. It was just too close to home for me.
I hear you are releasing a remake of Cindi Lauper’s “True Colors” with Jaqueline Lord. How did this come about, and when should we expect the release?
Yes! Jac is a good friend of mine and we have been meaning to collaborate for a long time. We sat down and went through a few ideas but decided that “True Colors” was the perfect song. With pride season coming up we wanted to reimagine a beautiful message for people. She created the track and played piano and then we each cut our vocals separately. The release will be June 1.
What does the future hold for you?
More music! I think this pandemic has made me think more creatively about ways to go about my music. Social media has never been more important. I am excited to create more content and reach out to more and more people.
ABOUT DAVID (IN A BOX)
David Hernandez began singing at age six, starring in musicals and performing with various theatre companies. At fifteen, he started writing original music and recording his arrangements. In addition to American Idol, he has showcased his talents on The Ellen Show, The Today Show, MTV’s TRL, EXTRA, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, Teen Choice Awards, Idol Tonight, FOX-TV’s Idol Gives Back. He was named among TV Guides’ Sexiest Stars and opened for John Legend at President Barack Obama’s Inauguration. His previous single, Beautiful, released in 2016 became a Billboard Top 200 Dance Chart hit. He has released two full-length albums, 2011’s I Am Who I Am and most recently, Kingdom: The Mixtape, an album that included twenty original tracks, many of which reflected on the love and loss he experienced since rising to fame on American Idol.
For more about David Hernandez, go to: Davidhernandezofficial.com or visit him on all social media platforms including: Instagram.com/dhernandezmusic and Youtube,com/DavidHernandezMusic
