Little Richard, the iconic singer and musician, has been celebrated and remembered in a new documentary directed by Lisa Cortés. The film, titled “Little Richard: I Am Everything”, dives deep into Richard’s life, loves, and legacy, exploring his contribution to the music industry, his struggle to balance his homosexuality with his religious upbringing, and how his art changed the world for the better.
Often credited for birthing rock ‘n roll with hits like “Tutti Frutti” and “Good Golly Miss Molly”, Little Richard’s queer history has been lost on younger generations. As a Black man openly gay in the 1950s, his rise to fame occurred at the same time as Emmet Till’s murder, making his success all the more remarkable.
The documentary features interviews with a range of personalities, including gay filmmaker John Waters, who professed his love for the icon, Pose star Billy Porter, and rock legends Mick Jagger and Tom Jones, who both credit Richard for influencing their careers.
The film uncovers Richard’s long-forgotten history with decades-old photos, interviews, and conversations with his family and friends. Audiences will see a photo of Richard performing in drag and even hear from John Lennon. The Beatles actually opened for Richard on his UK tour.
Cortés notes that Little Richard was not a comic foil or monolithic, and that his cultural contributions run deep. Without him, we would not have the likes of Prince, Lil Nas X, or Harry Styles. Richard brought boldness, innovation, style, music, and gender fluidity to the music industry, unleashing an energy that shifted culture.
In today’s world, Black queer history is more important than ever, with the LGBTQ+ community under attack from all angles. The erasure of this history is concerning, as it informs the contributions of all of us. As Cortés puts it, “Our history frees us all.”
Through “Little Richard: I Am Everything”, audiences can now appreciate Little Richard’s queer legacy and the impact he had on the music industry and beyond.