CHAD GRAY, vocalist of MUDVAYNE and HELLYEAH, has released a new cover of CHRISTINA AGUILERA’s 2002 hit “Beautiful,” transforming the pop ballad into a heavy rock arrangement that combines his melodic singing with the aggressive vocals that have defined much of his career.
Originally written by LINDA PERRY, “Beautiful” became one of AGUILERA’s most recognizable songs, addressing themes of self-acceptance, personal insecurity, and inner strength. More than two decades after its original release, GRAY has revisited the track with an arrangement that reflects his own musical background and personal connection to its message.
The cover begins with a restrained, melodic vocal performance before gradually building into a heavier composition featuring distorted guitars, powerful drums, and GRAY’s signature screams. The accompanying music video is available now.
Speaking about his decision to record the song, GRAY explained that its message has resonated with him for years, particularly through his experiences with sobriety and personal growth.
“The song ‘Beautiful’ is a song about self-acceptance, finding your inner beauty, and overcoming insecurity,” GRAY said. “I have struggled my entire life with all of those things so when I heard it years ago, it spoke to me, I felt what Linda Perry was trying to say with the lyrics. As I have found sobriety and worked on myself, I have found even more of a connection with this song.”
The vocalist also emphasized that his songwriting has consistently drawn from personal experiences, making the themes of “Beautiful” particularly meaningful despite the song originating outside the metal genre.
“My songwriting has always been driven by my experiences and feelings, from dark to light, from helpless to hopeful,” he continued.
Although covering a pop song might come as a surprise to longtime fans of MUDVAYNE and HELLYEAH, GRAY approached the recording with the intention of preserving its original message while adapting the instrumentation and vocal arrangements to his own style.
“I know no one had me covering a pop song in 2026 on their bingo card, but here we are. I changed the bridge, got the scream, big drums, and big guitars in there. Maybe some of the metal family can hear it and find their own self-love because we are beautiful no matter what they say.”
LINDA PERRY Praises CHAD GRAY’s Version
The new interpretation has also received approval from the song’s original writer, LINDA PERRY, who praised GRAY’s vocal performance and the heavier direction of the recording.
“Chad Gray’s heavy version of ‘Beautiful’ is a must-listen. It made me smile. His passionate and fearless vocals get a thumbs up from this listener,” PERRY commented.
Her endorsement adds another dimension to the release, connecting the original composition with GRAY’s interpretation more than twenty years later.
Three Decades in Heavy Music
Over the past three decades, CHAD GRAY has established himself as a recognizable voice in modern metal through his work with MUDVAYNE and HELLYEAH.
With MUDVAYNE, he helped develop a sound that combined alternative metal, progressive rhythmic structures, and aggressive vocal performances. The band’s catalog includes three platinum-certified albums, while their single “Happy?” achieved platinum certification and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
His work with HELLYEAH further expanded his career, with the band’s self-titled debut achieving gold certification in the United States after surpassing 500,000 copies sold.
More recently, GRAY completed a 29-date headlining tour featuring material from throughout his career, including appearances at Louder Than Life, Aftershock, and Rockfest.
The vocalist is scheduled to perform at Australia’s Good Things Festival in December 2026, alongside LIMP BIZKIT, SPIRITBOX, BILMURI, and MINISTRY.
Additional festival appearances are planned for 2027, including Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Sonic Temple in Columbus, Ohio.
With his interpretation of “Beautiful,” GRAY steps outside his usual repertoire while maintaining the vocal intensity associated with his work in heavy music. The release also highlights the personal significance of a song whose themes of self-acceptance and resilience continue to resonate more than two decades after its debut.
Watch the official music video for CHAD GRAY’s cover of “Beautiful,” available now.