
Gloria Gaynor’s life explored in new film
Season 2025 Episode 5 | 5m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
The musician’s career is spotlighted in “Voices of a Lifetime: Gloria Gaynor.”
The film “Voices of a Lifetime: Gloria Gaynor” chronicles the life and career of the legendary singer. Gaynor and the film’s star Joaquina Kalukango share what the film means to them.
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ALL ARTS Dispatch is a local public television program presented by WLIW PBS

Gloria Gaynor’s life explored in new film
Season 2025 Episode 5 | 5m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
The film “Voices of a Lifetime: Gloria Gaynor” chronicles the life and career of the legendary singer. Gaynor and the film’s star Joaquina Kalukango share what the film means to them.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipI will survive ohhh as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive I've got my life to live And all my love to give and I will survive I will survive Hey Hey I understand that people have heard the song “I will Survive” They've listened to it, it's encouraged them and everything.
But I think that I need to go a step further and letting them know that my singing is not just a song, but it's an experience that I've had to go through and that not only have I learned to survive, but to thrive and that they can do it too.
So when they see the difficulties and the strugles that ive been through they know it's not just something that I'm singing and hoping they'll like it.
They'll know it's something that I experienced that has encouraged and uplifted and powered me to become the best possible version of me.
And they can do that same thing as well.
A night like tonight means to me an opportunity to let my public know that I've got something great and wonderful coming for them.
And I'm hoping that they'll love it.
And spend oh so many nights just feeling sorry for myself I used to cry, but now I hold my head up high He makes me somebody new somebody new Im not that chained up little person still in love with you.
I'm talking about lyrics that uplift people and make them feel seen more than that.
Make them feel determine and like thiers Nothing can stop them.
Hold on.
I have the song Freddie and I wrote it two years ago but couldn't find the singer to record it from a woman's point of view.
She's been through a lot.
A guy broke her heart.
he comes back, wants her back.
And she takes him back.
She doesn't take him back.
She doesn't take him back.
First, I was afraid.
I was petrified.
Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side.
and as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive I've got my life to live And all my love to give and Ill survive I will survive You were drivin' me crazy The kind of crazy that made me stars Give her flowers while she's here.
She is a.
Phenomenal human being.
She has gotten me.
She's got so many people through their challenges.
And to be able to highlight her and to give her the support that she needs and let people know her story will know that they, too, can not only survive, but thrive like she is All the wasted nights Fida known, you would be Only pain and misery I'da been fine on my own If fida known the music, it's so invigorating and so lively.
I don't think people understand how rare it is to get to portray a living legend, a global icon.
So to have her be an executive producer on this project and get her approval to be able to honor her legacy and work in this way, I'm so thankful and grateful for the opportunity.
Do you think you understand an artist through the music?
But when you discover her story, the woman she is the woman of faith she is how much she's overcome, that she's a loving sister.
You know what I mean?
An incredible businesswoman.
She's so inspirational.
You're going to come away with the love of her music.
You're going to come away with her faith in her strength and how she was able to overcome obstacles.
And I hope that it encourages other audience members to face their own challenges head on and overcome them as well I'da been fine on my own If fida known Someone holding you back.
You were more than just an assistant Steph.
You had my back when we first met.
I want to rebuild my career and you've got the vision, the drive, and most importantly, I trust you.
Will you be my manager?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Let's do this.
Fida known, you would bring Only pain and misery I'da been fine on my own If fida known I have learned to be me.
I'll make a horrible you, but I can make a wonderful me because God intends each and every one of us to be wonderful.
And He's equipped us to be wonderful and will continue equipping us as long as we reach out to him, hear his voice, respond to his voice with a resounding Yes, I will to become the best possible version of this.
If fida known If fida known
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ALL ARTS Dispatch is a local public television program presented by WLIW PBS