Having made his runway debut for Coach last month, now Lil Nas X takes on a starring role in the brand’s new campaign, titled Courage To Be Real and shot by Canadian artist and director Petra Collins.

Since his breakout hit Old Town Road, Lil Nas X has become an embodiment of individuality and self-expression, mirroring the codes Coach holds close to their brand identity. Showcasing this journey, an accompanying short film charts the musician’s growth over the course of his rise to fame, as well as the hurdles he faced but ultimately overcame along the way. Soundtracked by his new track Star Walkin, Nas wanders the Atlanta suburbs before stumbling upon a glistening door that takes him on a transcendent trip through high school music lessons, Instagram live streams and New York City subway trips. Each room represents a struggle the artist has faced from fear to self-doubt before he takes to the stage as the musician he is today.

“My whole career has been about breaking down doors, and this campaign represents everything I’ve overcome so far,” X said. “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 [Vevers, creative director at Coach] and Petra to bring this to life.”

“My vision for Coach has always been to create a fashion world where people feel free to express themselves as they are,” added 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.”