Singer David Hernandez told gay glossy Out that his new single, Beautiful, reveals who he really is, a proud gay man.

Hernandez reached the top 12 on the seventh season of Fox's American Idol. An early favorite, Hernandez's time on the show was plagued by rumors surrounding his career as a nude stripper at a gay strip club in Phoenix, Dick's Cabaret.

“It was hard to go online and not read something negative about myself,” Hernandez, 33, told Out.

He said that some of his family members were unaware of his sexuality.

“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,” Hernandez said.

Calling the lyrics on Beautiful “powerful,” Hernandez said, “This is who I am. Take it or leave it.”