WHAT’S IT ABOUT
Follow Gaynor, who after overcoming traumatic events in her life, rebuilt her life by earning a degree in psychology and investing her own resources to produce the gospel record Testimony, which earned her second Grammy 40 years later.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
Gloria Gaynor’s hit song “I Will Survive” became an anthem of strength and perseverance, but it wasn’t until her sixties that she truly understood what survival meant. While millions around the world found hope in her lyrics, Gaynor herself faced constant struggles throughout her life. Her challenges began early. Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, Gaynor’s father abandoned the family before she was born. As a young girl, she endured sexual abuse from two different people, leaving deep emotional scars and making her feel unworthy of love. Despite these hardships, her mother’s love helped her feel whole, teaching her that “kids don’t know they’re poor if they’re loved.” Gaynor’s music career took off with her hit “Never Can Say Goodbye,” followed by “I Will Survive” in 1978. The latter won her a Grammy for Best Disco Recording in 1980 and was later added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry. But behind the glittering success, Gaynor faced serious physical challenges. A fall during a performance left her with a severe spine injury that would require multiple surgeries throughout her life. Her personal life brought more difficulties. Her marriage to manager Linwood Simon lasted over twenty years but eventually fell apart due to his partying lifestyle and her constant touring in Europe. Gaynor stayed in the relationship out of fear of being alone until she realized she already was alone – a revelation that finally gave her the strength to file for divorce. Financial troubles followed. After years of success, Gaynor found herself performing without a band, singing to backing tracks. But instead of giving up, she chose to reinvent herself. In her sixties, she went back to college and set her sights on a new dream: recording a gospel album. Breaking into gospel music wasn’t easy. Many people only saw her as a disco star, and the Christian music industry was hard to crack. But Gaynor stayed focused, saying, “If you’re going from Florida to New York, you don’t have to go by way of California.” Her persistence paid off when she connected with producer Chris Stevens, who remembered her influence on his youth disco band and wanted to help share her art with the world. The recording process brought out the best in everyone involved. Other musicians and singers were thrilled to work with her, and her powerful voice remained as strong as ever. Their studio sessions felt like church gatherings, filled with energy and inspiration. All this hard work led to her album “Testimony,” which won her a second Grammy in 2020 – forty years after her first. One of the most touching examples of Gaynor’s lasting impact happened at a struggling school in Valencia, Spain. Students there had found hope and determination through “I Will Survive,” and when Gaynor visited, they welcomed her as someone who truly understood their challenges. This kind of connection with fans means everything to her, and she sees her famous song as a gift and responsibility from God. Now approaching 80, Gaynor isn’t slowing down. She’s working on new music and continues to inspire others with her story of resilience. After facing abandonment, abuse, injury, divorce, and financial hardship, she’s done more than just survive – she’s thrived. Through it all, she’s learned that survival isn’t just about making it through tough times; it’s about growing stronger and helping others find their own strength along the way.
OUR RATING – A SURVIVORS 8