By Stig Editor
Netflix Releases Powerful New Documentary on Teddy Swims: “Beneath the Beard”
By Jordan Michaels | July 1, 2025
In a move that has thrilled fans and music lovers alike, Netflix has officially released a brand-new documentary about soulful sensation Teddy Swims, titled “Beneath the Beard.” The film, now streaming globally, offers a raw, intimate portrait of the Georgia-born vocalist whose voice has captivated millions—and whose story might move you even more.
Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Ava Brooks, “Beneath the Beard” goes beyond the music to explore the heart, hurt, and healing behind the man with the golden voice and unforgettable presence.
🎤 From Basement Covers to Billboard Charts
The documentary traces Teddy’s early days growing up in Conyers, Georgia, where he bounced between gospel choirs, metal bands, and soul open mics. Archival footage shows a young Jaten Dimsdale—before he adopted the stage name Teddy Swims—singing Otis Redding in smoky bars and uploading covers from his bedroom studio.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever be famous,” Teddy says in the film’s opening moments. “But I knew I had something to say, and I knew how to sing the truth.”
Beneath the Beard features never-before-seen clips from his early YouTube rise, including the viral Sam Smith and Shania Twain covers that brought him early recognition.
💔 Vulnerability in the Spotlight
The documentary dives deep into Teddy’s internal battles with anxiety, body image, and self-worth. In a gripping segment, he shares how fame nearly broke him before it saved him.
“I was writing songs about love and healing, but I wasn’t loving or healing myself,” Teddy admits in a tearful interview.
Friends, collaborators, and his mother, Liza Dimsdale, appear throughout the film, painting a portrait of an artist who has always remained grounded—even when the world started watching.
🎶 A Career Defined by Soul
With concert footage from his sold-out 2024 “Lose Control” world tour, fans will relive the magic of Teddy’s most electrifying performances. One standout scene captures him singing “Simple Things” in Paris, with the entire arena holding candles as he whispers the final chorus.
“People think the beard is what makes him iconic,” laughs longtime friend and producer Nate Mercero. “But it’s what’s underneath—the tenderness, the struggle, the spirit—that makes Teddy unforgettable.”
📺 What Fans Are Saying
Within hours of its release, Beneath the Beard soared into Netflix’s global Top 10. Fans are flooding social media with praise, using hashtags like #TeddyDoc and #BeneathTheBeard to share their favorite quotes and emotional reactions.