“I Will Survive” artist Gloria Gaynor recently discussed a prevalent misunderstanding about her: she does not identify as a feminist, despite often being labeled as one. In an interview with Sunday Metro, the 81-year-old reflected on her decades of fame and expressed her view on feminism, emphasizing that her affection for men doesn’t negate her opinions. She shared, “People say I’m a feminist… um, not really. I love men. I grew up with five siblings.”
Gaynor elaborated, stating that she respects men who know their strengths and acknowledge women’s abilities, seeing relationships as partnerships rather than rivalries. While her iconic song “I Will Survive” has become an anthem for many marginalized groups, Gaynor understands its broader significance as a message of resilience after trauma.
“The lyrics are timeless,” she noted. Looking back to 1978, she connected her own experiences, including the loss of her mother and personal challenges, to the song’s themes. “I relate to all these traumatic situations,” she said, highlighting that seemingly insurmountable conditions resonate deeply with many people today.
Gaynor also linked the song to her renewed faith, mentioning that she has rewritten parts of it in the past to reflect her spiritual journey. In a conversation with NPR in 2019, she expressed that the song was divinely inspired, suggesting that she had been destined to share its message at the right moment.
