Interview by Paul Salfen
Gloria Gaynor’s legendary career spans over 50 years, never losing momentum. The 2x GRAMMY® winner has achieved global stardom with hit songs in the charts in all five decades. She has also shared her talent through roles in film, television, and the Broadway stage. Gloria is verified and active on all the current social media platforms as @GloriaGaynor. She loves being able to stay in touch with her fans around the world, sharing music, encouragement, and inspiration. Her official YouTube channel just surpassed 330,000 subscribers. The channel features a mix of fabulous vintage concert and TV performances as well as new video content.
A feature documentary from Storyville Entertainment about Gloria that has been evolving over the past seven years reveals how the unstoppable Gaynor, who, despite incredible hardship, has wielded her undeniable musical talent to change the course of her life, having surmounted illness, paralysis, her sister’s murder, a 25-year traumatic marriage (and divorce) and a cleaned-out bank account. Discovering faith and self-love, Gaynor never lost vision nor momentum throughout incredibly devastating times. Facing ageism and a ticking clock, she invested her own resources to self-produce “Testimony” – winning her second Grammy 40 years after her first for “I Will Survive.” Helming the documentary are Storyville’s President, Betsy Schecter, and award-winning editor, David Zeiff.
The documentary had its world premiere in New York City at the Tribeca Festival on June 9th. Gloria and her ten piece band performed a concert following the premiere that took the film festival guests on a journey that includes her global hits as well as songs from her 2020 GRAMMY Award winning album, “TESTIMONY.” The documentary was also the Opening Night Film for the 2023 Nashville Film Festival receiving a standing ovation.