In ‘Juan Gabriel’ Netflix docuseries, the late singer tells his story in his own words

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If you’re familiar with Juan Gabriel, you understand his impact. If you’re not, words can’t truly capture it.

A new Netflix documentary series explores the dazzling performances of the legendary singer known as “El Divo de Juárez,” who passed away in 2016 at age 66. It also delves into the life of the man behind the icon – Alberto Aguilera Valadez.

Juan Gabriel was famous for his incredibly elaborate concerts. He typically performed with a full orchestra, dancers, and numerous mariachi musicians wearing traditional outfits – including tight jackets and sombreros – while singing his most popular songs like “Hasta Que Te Conocí,” “El Noa Noa,” and “Amor Eterno.”

People often wondered about his sexuality because of his bright clothing and energetic dancing, but he always avoided directly answering the question. Despite this, he’s become a beloved and influential figure for the LGBTQ+ community across Latin America.

I just finished watching “Juan Gabriel: I Must, I Can, I Will,” and it’s a truly intimate portrait of the iconic singer. The filmmakers had access to an incredible treasure trove of personal recordings – hundreds of thousands of them, plus photos and videos I’ve never seen before. It really gives you a complete understanding of Juan Gabriel, not just as a performer, but as a person – his struggles, his happiness, and everything that made him the artist and the man he was. It’s a fascinating look at how he saw the world and himself.

Obituaries

Juan Gabriel, a hugely popular Mexican singer known for his romantic ballads and emotional songs, passed away Sunday at his home in Santa Monica after a career spanning over forty years. He was loved by fans throughout Mexico and the United States.

This project marks director María José Cuevas’ second collaboration with the streaming service. Her 2023 documentary, “The Lady of Silence: The Mataviejitas Murders,” told the story of Juana Barraza, a notorious Mexican serial killer who received a 759-year prison sentence for murdering 16 elderly women and was also suspected in many other deaths.

Cuevas based his portrayal of Juan Gabriel on the singer’s own view that he had two separate but connected sides: Juan Gabriel the performer and Alberto Aguilera Valadez, his given name. This idea was highlighted in a self-interview Gabriel filmed in 2014.

To truly appreciate Juan Gabriel, you had to understand the person behind the persona, Alberto. She explained that from a young age, he talked about creating Juan Gabriel as a way to protect himself – he built an idol to safeguard his private life.

In a recent interview with The Times, Cuevas discussed her close relationship with the iconic singer, the vast amount of archival material she reviewed, and how Juan Gabriel brought people together – a legacy that continues even now.

This interview was translated and edited for length.

What was your relationship to Juan Gabriel before taking on the task of directing this documentary?

I vividly remember watching Juan Gabriel on TV as a child, always wearing his signature red sweater and white jeans. Later, I was lucky enough to attend his first concert at the Palacios de Bellas Artes in 1990 with my parents. Bellas Artes is usually a formal venue for opera, ballet, and classical music, so the concert started with that kind of atmosphere. But at some point, the audience couldn’t maintain that formality anymore, and everyone just relaxed and had fun.

Music

It’s been five years since the death of the legendary Mexican singer.

That moment was a real eye-opener. I suddenly realized how dynamic and energetic he was. I didn’t understand then, but looking back, it was a hugely important cultural event. Watching the documentary footage, with all the different camera angles, gave me goosebumps. I wish I could relive it as an 18-year-old, experiencing it with the same passion I feel for his music today.

Juan Gabriel’s music always felt deeply personal, yet connected us all. When he passed away in Mexico, it was a shared experience – his songs were everywhere, playing from cars, shops, and homes. It truly felt like the whole country was mourning together.

Where did you find all the historical footage and information used in the documentary?

The true heart of this project lies in how Juan Gabriel’s story is told. While his life has been documented before, this project is special because it’s told through his own recordings and photos. Shortly after finding success, Juan Gabriel didn’t just buy a house for his mother – he also bought a Super 8 camera. He then began recording his daily life as Alberto Aguilera, and later, as Juan Gabriel, always documenting himself with a camera.

When we first met with Netflix, I suggested reaching out to Gabriel’s family to see if they had any photos or keepsakes we could use – perhaps an album, some memorabilia, or even old tapes. We were incredibly surprised when they sent us a picture of a warehouse packed with films! That’s when I realized Juan Gabriel’s friend and actress, Isela Vega, had been helping him organize his entire video collection.

Watching those videos, I was amazed to discover two sides to the artist – the public figure, Juan Gabriel, and the private man, Alberto Aguilera. It really hit me when I realized he understood how famous he was and that it wasn’t by chance he documented so much of his life. Then it dawned on me: he kept all those recordings so that, after he was gone, people could piece together his life story from what he’d left behind. It felt like he intentionally created a way for us to truly know him.

World & Nation

Juan Gabriel, a hugely popular singer from Mexico, defied expectations in a traditionally masculine country. He became a beloved icon with his flamboyant style – think sparkling capes and graceful dancing – and his passionately romantic songs.

There’s a scene in the documentary that really stuck with me – Juan Gabriel’s concert, and just seeing all these men, straight, gay, everyone, proposing to him! It felt incredibly powerful, like for a moment, all that traditional, tough-guy posturing just melted away. It was a beautiful thing to witness.

When creating this portrait of Juan Gabriel, it was crucial to understand Mexico in the 1980s. It was a very conservative and traditionally masculine society, and he arrived as this incredibly talented and charismatic figure, boldly announcing his presence. That wasn’t easy at the time. He consistently proved his talent on any stage he was given. He connected with people from all walks of life in a country that was, at the time, very class-conscious, appealing to everyone from the most traditional men to women.

His early performances in *palenques* – small, circular stages where performers are completely exposed – were even more impressive than his acclaimed show at Bellas Artes. These *palenques* often hosted late-night shows where the audiences, typically quite boisterous and traditionally masculine, were already well into their drinking.

A very young Juan Gabriel would unexpectedly appear on stage to sing ranchera music. I’ve always felt he was a bit of a rebel, but he also had a way of captivating audiences. He particularly thrived when people in the crowd would heckle him, using it as a challenge to connect with them even more.

It feels almost impossible not to be moved by the music as you watch your documentary.

He was truly incredible. While making the documentary and watching personal home videos of Alberto Aguilera, it struck me that Juan Gabriel was a real person, not just a larger-than-life performer. I’ve always been captivated by his concerts – I felt like I was worshipping a star. He was such a commanding and powerful presence on stage.

And how have you seen JuanGa’s legacy represent something very specific in the U.S.?

He’s a hugely important figure for Latinos in the U.S., as his music reconnects people with their heritage. A defining moment in his career was selling out the Rose Bowl in 1993, which really demonstrated his impact and power within the Latino community. He’s undeniably a leading figure in Latin music.

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2025-10-17 01:32