Gutsy is an 8-part docuseries, exploring women across the world who themselves fall under the umbrella of being 'gutsy'. There is no one that has earned the cast a place in the docuseries; for some, it’s being truly and unapologetically authentic, hearing the hate and doing it anyway. For others, it’s the courage to pursue causes close to their heart and find joy amongst the heartache and trauma life has thrown their way.
a celebration of the resilience and power of women
Some of these ‘gutsy’ women are regular women, others are celebrities – for many viewers, this is certainly the appeal. The women, assuredly inspirational in places, would almost unquestionably be considered liberal-leaning. And while this made the show more palatable, it should be said that brave women come in all shapes and sizes.
With that being said, Gutsy brings with it a cosy, feel-good atmosphere. While the show is educational in places, the point of it isn’t to preach or teach (or set up #Hillary2024, for that matter). At its heart, Gutsy is a celebration of the resilience and power of women. From women pushing the boundaries of the New York comedy scene to Megan Thee Stallion’s love of ‘WAP’, women fighting for tighter gun legislation and Kim Kardashian’s use of her platform to advocate for prison reform – Gutsy has a little something for everyone to feel inspired.
The stories I found most impactful were those of personal heartbreak leading to the greatest change. For Dawn Collins and Susan Heyer, hate crime led to the worst of outcomes for these women – the loss of a child. For these women, tragic and life-altering events presented the opportunity to try and prevent other people from suffering the same misfortune. This wasn’t something they were obligated to do, but as one of these mothers said, “what else would I do?”.
It was a storytelling workshop with Mariska Hargitay that revealed the possibility of joy after loss and heartache. A fierce advocate for survivors of abuse and sexual trauma, the actress believes firmly in the healing power of having your story heard. Most touching were the moments between Chelsea and Hillary Clinton – highlighting their bond as mother and daughter and gaining a sense of the pair better understanding one another throughout the series. During the workshop with Mariska Hargitay, for example, Chelsea learned of the true reason her mother wears pantsuits.
All-in-all, Gutsy has a story which will touch everyone. From Kim Kardashian’s stories of undertaking law exams to Hillary's frank discussion of why she stayed with Bill Clinton, there’s room to be inspired by all the women in the series – famous or otherwise.