‘Idol’ finalist David Hernandez among Tampa Pride headlining entertainment

Editor's note: This story is part of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's Tampa Pride guide produced in conjunction with Tampa Pride organizers.

By Ray Roa on Wed, Mar 20, 2024 at 1:41 pm

Photo by Bobby Qullard

David Hernandez, who plays the Tampa Pride after-party at Cuban Club in Ybor City, Florida on March 24, 2024.

Gabriel Pabon from “90 Day Fiancé” is a guest on Tampa Pride’s parade floats, but he won’t be the only celebrity in town.

It’s been almost 20 years since David Hernandez blazed his way through the seventh season of “American Idol” with powerhouse performances of songs by Wilson Pickett, The Temptations and that made believers out of Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul while also changing the heart of ice cold Simon Cowell.

“This isn’t it for me,” Hernandez said after finishing in the top 12. The boy who started singing at six years old made good on his promise. Hernandez, 40, is just one of three of the top men from that season who are still active (the other Davids, Cook and Archuleta, continue to tour and record music), and he’s in Tampa as part of post-Pride parade headlining entertainment.

Hernandez, who came out in 2016 eight years after “Idol,” arrives in support of a 2022 EP, Don’t @ Me, which he’ll pull from for his headlining performance on Saturday night.

There’s no cover for the Pride @ Night afterparty at The Cuban Club in Ybor CIty on Saturday, March 23.

Hosts include Orlando diva Imani Valentino, Miss Tampa Pride 2024 Charlotte Diamond Star and Phaedra E. Rose, Mr. Tampa Pride 2024 Lane Cardoza, Dante V, Kc Starz, Ericka Pc and more.

Here’s more on the post-parade performers.

Coco Montrese Born in Miami, Miss Coco Montrese found fame after being crowned Miss Gay America in 2010. THe 49-year-old’s star was boosted in 2013 with a spot on season five of “RuPaul's Drag Race,” and another turn on the boob tube for season two of “RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.” Her colorful sass has been a hallmark of her performances at Disney World and at shows across the country.

Actual Bank Robbers After initially meeting while working at a theme park, the five-piece indie-rock band came together in 2015, released its debut Checklist a year later, and garnered a reputation for high energy sets (and can play a plethora of covers from Abba to the biggest Billboard hits of today).
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About The Author

Ray Roa

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief in August 2019. Past work can be seen at Suburban Apologist, Tampa Bay Times, Consequence of Sound and The...

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