"Beautiful" was also a commercial success, topping the charts in eleven countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

An accompanying music video was directed by Jonas Åkerlund, and earned Aguilera a GLAAD Media Award for its positive portrayal of gay and transgender people.

In 2011, UK LGBT rights organization Stonewall named "Beautiful" the most empowering song of the previous decade for gay, lesbian, and bisexual people.

[8] Perry later revealed to ASCAP, "When Christina came over to my house to start working, she asked me to play some songs to break the ice.

[1] Larry Flick of Billboard added that the song talks about "overcoming life's trials",[11] Chuck Taylor also of Billboard observed that it has a message of "holding oneself up against criticism from the outside,"[12] and Todd Burns of Stylus noted that the song "also explores the main theme of the record, being stripped bare in front of the public.

[11] In a separate review, Chuck Taylor from the same magazine deemed the song "breathtaking", and highlighted its melody and lyrical message.

[27] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine commented that the collaboration with Linda Perry found Aguilera "truly naked" and reflective of the album's title.

[28] Stylus Magazine's Todd Burns gave Stripped a negative review, but complimented "Beautiful" for "tastefully [reining] in Aguilera's frequent vocal acrobatics".

[13] Jane Dark of The Village Voice compared the song to the works of Mariah Carey "made back when she was a natural",[29] and the Attitude magazine called it "universal".

The song was ranked as her third-best single by Rachel McRady of Wetpaint, who commented that "[Aguilera]'s inspiration ballad motivated an entire generation".

[35] Rolling Stone ranked "Beautiful" at number 52 on their list of the 100 best songs of the 2000s, stating that it is "delivered with full-fathom force by the bottle-blond with the biggest voice".

It opens with Aguilera speaking the line "Don't look at me", followed by scenes of her singing alone in a room intercut with self-image-related sequences of other people.

In one sequence, a girl is physically bullied by several peers, and in another, a goth man sits at the back of a bus while several people get up and move.

[53] The video also touches on LGBT issues; one scene features a gay couple, portrayed by Jordan Shannon and Justin Croft, kissing on a bench and ignoring the stares of people who pass them.

"[59][31] Billboard included "Beautiful" on its list of the greatest music videos of the 21st century, and Gail Mitchell wrote that it "eloquently touches on insecurity".

[58] Gay journalist Larry Flick praised the video for its "stunning execution" and depiction of self-love, and noted that with its help the song "became a perfect slice of cinematic empowerment".

[31] In 2024, Glamour noted that the video "was a true act of radicalism in the face of America’s puritanical, conservative Bush years".

[60] On October 21, 2022, Aguilera released a new music video for the song, which depicts kids and teens grappling with the onslaught of negative messaging on social media, body dysmorphia, plastic surgery, depression, and suicidal ideation.

[61] CelebMix called the message behind the video "powerful", noting that it "highlights the impact of popular culture and social media on young people".

[71] "Beautiful" has also been performed on charity events and fundraisings, such as CNN Heroes introduced by Anderson Cooper saying, "It's my pleasure to introduce a performer with unparalleled range and passion; her song is a reminder that out of great trials and tribulations we can all create something beautiful";[72] Justin Timberlake & Friends in 2010,[73] and Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together in 2012.

[31] On October 5, 2010, several hundred people gathered in front of the Massachusetts State House and sang "Beautiful" as a tribute to the teenagers who had committed suicide due to anti-gay bullying during the previous months.

[82] UK LGBT rights charity Stonewall named "Beautiful" the most empowering song of the decade for lesbian, gay and bisexual people; media personality and Stonewall contributor Paul Gambaccini called the song "a major achievement that has inspired millions of young people around the world.

"[84] "Beautiful" inspired a subgenre of empowerment pop songs including Katy Perry's "Firework" (2010) and Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" (2011).

[30] The music video for "Beautiful" was parodied in the eighth season of Mad TV, where the singer was portrayed by Christina Moore.

[90] They noted that the "Grammy-winning empowerment anthem provides a stunningly detailed illustration of the search for one's inner beauty amid battling insecurities".

[90] The song has been covered by multiple artists, including Elvis Costello,[91] Sam Smith,[92] Ava Max,[93] Kenny G and Chaka Khan.