He’s inspired the fashion of Harry Styles, admired by Omar Apollo, and celebrated as one of the greatest songwriters to ever come out of Mexico. Now, Juan Gabriel will take centerstage — and narrate his own story — in a new Netflix documentary titled I Must, I Can, I Will, which debuted its first trailer on Monday.
“When you leave, what remains here is what you gave,” declares the late Gabriel in the trailer for the series, slated for Oct. 30. “I wish I could be young again, but to remember is to live again.”
The short preview of the series, directed by María José Cuevas, teases El Divo de Juarez‘s rise to fame and how he shattered stereotypes about ranchera singers, his complicated relationship with fame, learning to make “loneliness [his] friend,” and his experience as a father. The series will also highlight his iconic performance at Bellas Artes in Mexico City, now celebrated but which was severely criticized at the time for bringing pop culture into a space meant for high art.
“Over more than four decades, Juan Gabriel recorded his most intimate moments, capturing both Mexico’s musical idol on stage and Alberto Aguilera, the man behind the scenes,” reads the series synopsis, teasing “rare videos and exclusive interviews” showcasing the behind-the-scenes life of the singer-songwriter.
Gabriel, Mexico’s bestselling artist of all time, died of natural causes in 2016 at his home in Santa Monica. He was known for iconic songs such as “No Tengo Dinero,” “El Noa Noa,” “Así Fue,” “Hasta Que Te Conocí,” and “Querida.” He also wrote numerous hits for other artists, including Rocío Dúrcal’s “Amor Eterno.”