In an era where the line between celebrity and vulnerability is increasingly blurred, few artists have captured the raw human experience quite like Teddy Swims. Known for his soulful voice, genre-blending music, and unfiltered authenticity, Swims has amassed a devoted global fanbase. But even his most ardent supporters were unprepared for the bombshell he dropped this week.
In a candid and emotionally charged interview, Teddy Swims finally broke his silence on the much-anticipated 2025 Netflix documentary, tentatively titled “Swims: Beneath the Surface.” The documentary, shrouded in secrecy since it was greenlit last year, promises to deliver a gripping look behind the beard and tattoos—and into the life of one of modern music’s most enigmatic stars.
Now, with its release date just months away, Swims is ready to talk. And what he’s about to unveil will both inspire and shock his audience.
From Viral Sensation to Global Star
Jaten Dimsdale, better known by his stage name Teddy Swims, burst onto the scene in 2019 with cover videos that quickly went viral on YouTube. His rendition of “You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain amassed millions of views, setting the stage for what would become a meteoric rise to stardom.
However, Swims’ path wasn’t a conventional one. He wasn’t manufactured in a label’s boardroom or groomed by industry moguls. He came from a humble background in Conyers, Georgia, cutting his teeth in local bands and singing gospel in church. His journey from a struggling musician to selling out venues worldwide is compelling—but as the Netflix documentary reveals, it’s only the surface of a much deeper story.
“I Almost Gave Up” — The Untold Struggles
In the new trailer released by Netflix this week, Swims is seen sitting in a dimly lit studio, visibly emotional. “There were nights I didn’t think I’d make it to the next morning,” he says, pausing before wiping away tears.
Swims has long hinted at personal struggles—battles with anxiety, body image, and self-worth—but “Beneath the Surface” doesn’t hold anything back. The documentary, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ava Sloane, dives deep into Swims’ mental health battles, his strained relationship with his father, and a near-overdose in 2021 that he had never publicly spoken about until now.
“That moment changed everything,” Swims reveals in the interview. “I realized I had been running from myself for years.”
A Love Letter to the Misfits
One of the most compelling aspects of the documentary is how it reframes Swims not as a victim of fame, but as a survivor of emotional vulnerability in a brutal industry. His message is clear: being different is not just okay—it’s powerful.
“The music business tried to mold me. Told me to lose weight, cut the beard, stop covering soul songs,” he says. “But the more I tried to fit in, the more I lost who I was. This film is my love letter to everyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t belong.”
Featuring never-before-seen footage from Swims’ early gigs, behind-the-scenes moments with his bandmates, and raw home video of his early years, “Beneath the Surface” is as much a documentary as it is a memoir.
Celebrity Guests—and Surprising Revelations
The film includes appearances from a slew of stars who have crossed paths with Swims, from Ed Sheeran and Megan Thee Stallion to Elton John, who calls Swims “a once-in-a-generation voice.”
But what truly shocks viewers isn’t the celebrity cameos—it’s the rawness of what Swims admits about his past. For the first time, he opens up about being homeless for a time in his early twenties, sleeping in his car while touring dive bars across the Southeast.
“I didn’t want pity. I just wanted a shot. And I wanted to be heard,” Swims says.
The Music—Unfiltered and Unreleased
Fans will also be thrilled to know the documentary includes never-before-heard tracks that Swims recorded during what he calls his “darkest moments.” According to sources close to the production, a surprise EP—featuring songs written during the filming of the documentary—will drop the same day the film premieres.
“It’s the most honest music I’ve ever made,” Swims confirms. “No autotune, no polish. Just pain, hope, and soul.”
A Message That Transcends Fame
Ultimately, “Swims: Beneath the Surface” is more than a celebrity documentary—it’s a deeply human story about overcoming the odds, finding one’s voice, and refusing to be defined by pain.
“This isn’t just about me,” Swims says in the final moments of the film’s trailer. “It’s about every broken person who thought they weren’t enough. You are.”
Netflix executives are already predicting the film will be one of their most-watched documentaries of the year, and critics who have seen early cuts are hailing it as “the 8 Mile of this generation—raw, real, and absolutely unforgettable.”
Release Date and Fan Reactions
“Swims: Beneath the Surface” premieres globally on Netflix on September 19, 2025. Swims will embark on a small, intimate screening tour in major cities—Atlanta, London, New York, and Sydney—where he will perform live acoustic sets and engage in audience Q&A sessions.
Fans online have reacted with overwhelming support. One Twitter user wrote, “Teddy Swims gave us his soul in every song. Now he’s giving us his story. I’m not ready, but I need it.”
Final Thoughts
In a world of curated images and superficial fame, Teddy Swims is a refreshing anomaly. Vulnerable, unflinchingly honest, and unashamed of his scars, he represents a new kind of artist—one who refuses to be anything but himself.
And if the trailer is any indication, “Swims: Beneath the Surface” is not just a film. It’s a movement.
Get ready to be moved. Get ready to be shocked. And above all, get ready to see the real Teddy Swims—perhaps for the first time.
Stay tuned for our exclusive review of the documentary upon its release.
