It’s been nearly 10 years since Juan Gabriel’s passing, but the story of El Divo de Juarez couldn’t have come at a better time. Juan Gabriel: Debo, Puedo, y Quiero opens outside of Palacio de las Bellas Artes in Mexico City on the day of his passing. Droves of people are there to pay their respects and remember his immense talent. What follows is a moving and personal look at his life story through a series of audio and video recordings from Juan Gabriel himself. They provide insight into all that he overcame and accomplished, but more importantly, this docuseries shows us the singer’s determination, unwavering self-love, and self-assurance.
Although he never publicly spoke about his sexuality, aside from alluding to it when he famously told an interviewer, “lo que se ve no se pregunta/what you see, you don’t ask about,” Juan Gabriel never hid who he was. He never changed his mannerisms or his way of speaking and was always unapologetically himself. In Mexico in the 1970s and 80s, his choice took courage, as he didn’t try to conform to the stereotypical macho singers of the time. Although his apparent queerness didn’t seem to slow his rise to fame, as people loved his music and connected with his lyrics of love and heartbreak.
At the height of his popularity, though, someone who had been a part of his circle released a tell-all book that offered details of Juan Gabriel’s personal life. Media outlets were quick to capitalize on the celebrity “scandal,” and many headlines attempted to vilify and humiliate him for being gay.
Juan Gabriel never flinched. When asked if he felt compelled to explain himself, he responded that people could say whatever they wanted because he was sure of himself and would always keep being himself. After the book’s release and tabloid slander, he remained immensely popular. One of the most touching moments in the series is when, in the midst of it all, he appears on a show where the host reads to him the adoring words of his fans who continue to support and appreciate the singer as an artist and person. Reading their testimonials moves Juan Gabriel to tears.
I don’t know if it’s coincidental that Juan Gabriel: Debo, Puedo, y Quiero is premiering when our country is criminalizing brown skin and queerness, but the timing is perfect and the message is timeless. There is power in being yourself and loving who you are. Juan Gabriel didn’t succumb to criticism, judgments, or public condemnation. He didn’t allow anyone to define who he was – he was steadfast in his self-assurance and thrived because of it. I thought of the often-used phrase “joy is resistance” when watching this docuseries. Juan Gabriel’s life and expansive career is a testament to that sentiment.
Learning about his relentless pursuit of performing at Palacio de las Bellas Artes (Mexico’s most prestigious stage) and being the first pop music performer to do so is inspiring, and for those who grew up listening to his music, incredibly nostalgic.
Viewers will appreciate the footage of live performances and his playful interaction with his audience, cameos of telenovela stars in his home movies, and the tender interactions he had with his children and his found family. Overall, the series beautifully honors the life of someone who, as one fan says in the opening episode, “es lo maximo y nos dio mucho/[he] is the greatest and gave us so much.” Juan Gabriel’s story encourages us to remain rooted in who we are, even in the face of opposition. And that is powerfully joyful.
Juan Gabriel: Debo, Puedo y Quiero premieres October 30 on Netflix.
