OFFICIAL TRAILER RELEASED: Netflix Unveils “Beyond the Rhinestones,” a Deeply Personal Documentary on Linda Ronstadt
Netflix has officially released the trailer for Beyond the Rhinestones, a powerful new documentary that promises to reveal the untold story of legendary singer Linda Ronstadt—not just as an icon of American music, but as a woman who carried immense strength, vulnerability, and quiet pain behind her extraordinary voice.
For decades, Linda Ronstadt stood at the center of popular music, effortlessly crossing genres that others never dared to touch. Rock, country, folk, pop, and traditional Mexican music all found a home in her artistry. Yet, behind the rhinestones, sold-out arenas, and chart-topping success, there existed a deeply private world few ever saw. Beyond the Rhinestones sets out to finally bring that hidden story into the light.
The documentary traces Ronstadt’s journey from her early years in Arizona, where she was shaped by family, culture, and an instinctive love for music, to her meteoric rise in the 1970s, when she became one of the most successful female recording artists of her generation. Through rare archival footage, unseen photographs, and intimate interviews, the film captures the relentless pace of fame and the emotional cost that came with it.
“I learned early how to stand tall and smile,” Ronstadt reflects in the trailer. “But music was the only place where I could be completely honest.” Those words set the tone for a film that refuses to romanticize fame, instead presenting it as both a blessing and a burden.
Beyond the Rhinestones does not shy away from difficult chapters. It explores the personal sacrifices Ronstadt made, the loneliness that often followed life on the road, and the emotional walls she built to survive in an industry that frequently demanded perfection without compassion. Friends, collaborators, and fellow musicians speak candidly about her resilience, her discipline, and the quiet struggles she rarely shared publicly.
One of the most moving sections of the documentary focuses on Ronstadt’s later years, when health challenges forced her to step away from singing—the very thing that defined her life. Rather than framing this moment as an ending, the film treats it as a transformation. Ronstadt’s voice may have been silenced, but her spirit, intellect, and influence remained profoundly alive.
The film also highlights Ronstadt’s groundbreaking role as a woman in music. At a time when female artists were often boxed into narrow expectations, she insisted on creative control and refused to be confined to a single genre or image. Her choices opened doors for countless artists who followed, redefining what it meant to be both powerful and authentic in the music industry.
Netflix’s production team worked closely with Ronstadt and her inner circle to ensure the documentary remained truthful and respectful. The result is a portrait that feels deeply human—full of warmth, reflection, and emotional honesty. Viewers are invited not only to witness her triumphs, but also to sit with her doubts, fears, and moments of quiet courage.
As the trailer concludes, Ronstadt offers a final, haunting reflection: “Fame fades. Applause ends. But the truth—your truth—stays with you forever.” It is a line that perfectly encapsulates the heart of Beyond the Rhinestones.
Set to premiere later this year, the documentary is already being hailed as one of Netflix’s most anticipated music releases. For longtime fans, it offers a deeper understanding of the woman behind the voice. For new audiences, it serves as an introduction to an artist whose legacy extends far beyond awards and record sales.
Beyond the Rhinestones is not just a documentary—it is a testament to resilience, honesty, and the enduring power of music to tell the stories we are often too afraid to share.
