Coach has collaborated with our favourite rapper and Twitter icon Lil Nas X to launch a short film. The Courage to Be Real campaign features his latest single, Star Walkin, and was directed by Petra COllins as a call to action in encouraging self-expression and confidence. 

The Courage to Be Real campaign film tells the story of Lil Nas X’s evolution in becoming who he is today, and the obstacles he faced along the journey to becoming his authentic self. Set against the backdrop of a dream-like world, it follows the singer through rooms representing key moments in his personal journey. This includes his beginnings in the suburbs of Atlanta, through to achieving fame and becoming a bonafide star. 

Doors placed in each room represent struggles faced in his life, from fear to self-doubt and external judgement from others. The film culminates with Lil Nas X taking to a stage and inspiring the world to express themselves authentically. You can watch the film below. 

Lil Nas X said in a statement that the film is a representation of his life and how he has been constantly “breaking down doors” to reach where he is today. 

“My whole career has been about breaking down doors, and this campaign represents everything I’ve overcome so far,” said Lil Nas X. “It’s about walking into new chapters of life, new experiences and new versions of myself, and it’s rooted in authenticity and self-expression—two things I really care about. It was really fun collaborating with Stuart and Petra to bring this to life.”

The sentiments were echoed by Coach Creative Director, Stuart Vevers. 

“My vision for Coach has always been to create a fashion world where people feel free to express themselves as they are,” said Vevers. “To bring this vision to life, I was thrilled to bring Lil Nas X and Petra Collins together with Coach for the first time—two artists who have changed the world around them by being themselves. The film we created together is a new form of storytelling that not only feels unexpected and different for us, it helps to create a community around the values we share with the next generation.”

The Courage Be Real campaign is Lil Nas X’s first for Coach since his announcement as its newest Global Ambassador.