01x07 - Episode 7

[bunniefuu]

["Ave Maria" playing]

[reporter 1] Raphael is celebrating
the birth of his third child, Manuel.

The singer's family is overjoyed
by the baby's arrival.

[reporter 2] Raphael and his family
are off to Miami.

They've moved into Nixon's
former residence

and are beginning a new chapter in the US.

[reporter 3] Raphael's latest album
is selling better than previous releases.

However, a new wave of artists
is reshaping the industry

and challenging his dominance.

[reporter 4] Julio Iglesias has burst onto
the Spanish and world music scenes,

winning over audiences
and dominating the airwaves.

[woman] Julio Iglesias…

[reporter 5] Raphael and Julio Iglesias
are being compared in the media.

The press is fueling the rivalry
between Spain's two biggest music stars.

[Natalia] Rafael?

[reporter 6] Julio Iglesias
has reached global success…

[reporter 7] …cementing his place
as one of Spain's most famous artists.

[overlapping voices]

["Ave Maria" ends abruptly]

[Natalia] Rafael.

Rafael!

Still not dressed?

Hurry up. We've still got loads to do.

[sighs]

A DAY LIKE NO OTHER

[Natalia] Juan Carlos is handling drinks.
I spoke to Carolina about the canapés.

She'll serve them on small trays,
not the huge ones.

About the cake… [sighs]

I think we may have gone overboard.

[sighs] Then again, you don't celebrate


Rafael…

Are you okay?

-Do you think he'll come?
-Who?

[somber music playing]

Julio?

Listen, you did everything you could.

You invited him to your home.

Now it's up to him.

Stop worrying.

Get ready. We've got a lot to do.
I'm heading downstairs.

[sighs]

["Capri c'est fini" playing]



[excited chatter]

[French pop continues on radio]

[music ends]

[Raphael groans]

How's it going?

It's not heavy. I've got it.

-I've got it.
-No, really.

[receptionist] Room 269.
Stairs are at the back. It's there.

Thanks.

Thanks so much.

-Room 269, down the stairs?
-Yes.

-Okay.
-[man] Allow me.

-[Raphael] I told the other bellhop--
-Julio!

An artist should never carry his own bags.

-Come on.
-No, I've got it. How's it going?

[Manuel] Just great.
Wow, small world, Julio.

How have you been? What brings you here?

I'm taking a breather after the tour.

Three months of sold-out shows.

I figured it was time
for some R and R on the beach.

-What a coincidence.
-Yeah, isn't it?

When I saw you were performing
here tomorrow, I thought,

"Julio, today's your lucky day." [laughs]
And it sure is.

By the way, I'm having dinner
with some friends tonight at El Estrecho.

Then we're going for drinks at La Cabane.

I'd love for you to come. We could talk.

I've got plans, but I'm up for drinks.

Okay. And you, Raphael?

You'll have to excuse me, Julio.
I never go out before a concert.

I have dinner in my room.
Better for my voice.

I should do the same,
but you know me. [chuckles]

Well, we'd love to see you there.

-Thanks.
-See you later, Manuel Alejandro.

-You can call me Manolo.
-Sure.

[energetic music playing]

-Bye.
-See you.

[Raphael] What was he again?
A soccer player, right?

Mm-hmm.

[guy] Over here.

I have no clue about his ball skills,
but as a singer, he does nothing for me.

You must be the only one.

[chatter outside]

I think he's got something special.

Maybe it's just the tan.

[guy] Come on! Pass it!

[scoffs]

Raphael…

[music intensifies]

[girl] Over here!

[music fades]

Great, Carolina.

As the guests start showing up,
bring out the appetizers and cold canapés.

-Perfect.
-Okay?

Around 9:00, once everyone's arrived,
bring out the hot dishes.

Okay. Do you know
how many guests are coming?

Around 40.

Unless someone shows up
at the last minute.

-Don't worry. We've got it covered.
-Thanks, Carolina.

-Mom, Dad, we're heading out.
-[Natalia] I'm coming.

Want to try?

Ah! [chuckles]

You never change. See you outside, okay?

-[Natalia] Coming.
-Be right there.

Let's grab our jackets.

Have you got everything?

-Towels, swimsuits…?
-Yeah, Mom.

-Alejandra, sunscreen.
-I know, Mom.

Jaco, wait. Remember when we went
to our uncle's place with the rackets?

Be careful.
Call me as soon as you get there.

-Okay.
-[Raphael] Are you coming back Sunday?

Sunday afternoon.
Unless something weird happens.

What do you mean?

-Nothing.
-Right.

Don't worry. We'll be fine.

-We've been to Luis's house before.
-Yeah.

What about you? Nervous about tonight?

-Me? Nervous?
-[Natalia laughs]

Honestly, I'd rather go away
for the weekend too.

But nervous? No.

You don't need to be.
Everyone will love the surprise.

-Of course they will.
-[Jacobo] We should go.

Or we'll be late. Enjoy the party.

-See you later.
-Drive safe, okay?

-See you.
-Bye.

-[Alejandra] Later, Dad.
-Hey, take your backpacks off.

-Okay, Mom.
-Manuel, your seat belt.

-[Alejandra] He's wearing it, Mom.
-[Natalia] Go slow.

-[Raphael sighs]
-[Alejandra] Bye, Mom.

[ominous music rises]

[Alejandra, echoing] Dad, it's on. Hurry!

[static on TV]

[man speaking indistinctly in English]

…a great audience. Let's go now…



…with the nominees
for best Latin pop performance.

The nominees are
Julio Iglesias, "Un hombre solo."

[applause]

María Conchita Alonso, "Mírame."

Braulio, "Lo bello y lo prohibido."

[in Spanish] Why weren't you nominated?

-[Alejandra] Shut up, Manu.
-Me?

I don't have an album out.

[man on TV in English] The moment
everybody's waiting for.

[drumroll]

[tense music rises]

And the winner is…

Julio Iglesias, "Un hombre solo."

[applause]

[chuckles]

[music intensifies]

[laughter echoes]

[in Spanish] Where are you going?

[audio distorts]

-[horn honks]
-[echo fades]

[sighs]

[music fades]

Paco, Sole, finally!

[Gordillo] Tell me about it.
[clears throat]

Ten hours on the plane,
two at the airport.

[Sole] A nightmare.

When I saw my bag was missing,
I almost bought a ticket back to Madrid.

Don't be so dramatic. Come here.

-Sole!
-We're here. We finally made it.

-[Gordillo] Good to see you.
-I got these.

Sole.

[Gordillo] I've got it.

-You look amazing.
-Thanks.

-[Sole] What a beautiful house.
-[Natalia] See?

-We're really happy here.
-[Sole] It's incredible.

Come in, Sole.

We would've come sooner,
but Queca's trip was a hassle.

There was no way.

Are you guys tired?

-You have to power through tonight.
-I can't promise anything.

What do people drink here? No sherry?

Imported stuff.

Palo Cortado and Amontillado.
Pick your poison.

Unpack, relax. Take a shower if you want.

-Make yourselves at home.
-Thanks.

-We set up the upstairs room for you.
-Perfect.

[Gordillo chuckles]

Thirty years.

Thirty. Can you believe it?

Feels like yesterday.

[Gordillo] And now here we are, in Miami,
throwing a party to celebrate it,

Launching an album that'll be a hit…

You know it's gonna be huge.

-Well…
-Huh?

How is this even possible?
I swear, when you won Benidorm

and we bought those apartments,
one on top of the other,

I thought life couldn't get any better.

-I used to come upstairs in slippers.
-Yeah.

My mom cooked for us almost every day.

-Those were good times.
-Mm-hmm.

Nights at the Picnic with Manolo.

Radio contests, rehearsals
at my dad's school, remember?

-You knew from day one.
-It didn't take a genius.

With a voice like yours? Come on…

[sighs]

How are things with Manolo?

-Is he coming?
-He RSVP'd.

Great.

-He wrote me a letter.
-Really?

-Mm-hm.
-Very much his style.

[somber music playing]

He said he wouldn't miss this
for the world.

I'm glad to hear it.

We've worked together for years.

He wrote almost all my songs.

Honestly, I'm kind of nervous.

-About seeing him?
-I don't know. What happened really…

It shook me.

Water under the bridge.

[sighs]

Let's be honest,
neither of you handled it well.

It's the truth.

I know.

[upbeat music playing]

THREE YEARS EARLIER

[DJ] The history of Latin music
can't be told without his sound.

With that unique style that steals hearts.

Another hit in the career
of this superstar, Julio Iglesias.

[static crackles]

[upbeat tune playing]

[DJ 2] Who could forget
his love stories turned into songs,

and the man who sang them, Julio Iglesias?

[static crackles]

[dance music playing]

[music ends]

[woman] Well, that's all.

-[in English] Welcome.
-[in Spanish] Thanks.

-Liliana, how are you? Morning.
-Morning.

-Hi. Raphael.
-Nice to meet you.

Are you here to see Manuel Alejandro?

-Wait, Manolo's here?
-Yeah, he got here an hour ago.

He's in recording booth five,
if I'm not mistaken.

-Well, what a surprise. You look great.
-Thanks.

[guitar strumming]

-Will.
-Raphael! What are you doing here?

I came to talk to you, actually.

But Liliana said Manolo's
in one of the rooms,

so I'm gonna say hi.

-Did you get the latest lyrics?
-Yeah.

They're not really working for me.

Let me say hi to Manolo,
then we can talk in your office.

He's in the middle of a session.

Why don't we talk now,
and you can see him later?

Or better yet, I'll say hi to Manolo,
then we'll talk. Deal?

["Lo mejor de tu vida" playing]

♪ A steep hill ♪

♪ I took the best part of your life ♪

♪ I enjoyed the best part of your life ♪

[tense music rises]

[inaudible]

[tense music swells]

[tense music continues]

[lyrics distort]

[indistinct chatter]

[tense music fades]

-[Sole in English] You're a musician?
-[man] Yeah.

-[Gordillo in Spanish] Musician.
-[Sole] Musician.

[man] What do you think?

[in English] We arrived today.
We fly from Madrid to Miami.

-Did you have a good flight?
-[in Spanish] Great. Yeah.

[in English] What do you think of Miami?

Oh, we love Miami.
We are so happy for being here again.

-That's great. Welcome.
-Yeah.

-Yeah.
-[in Spanish] Yes.

Hey. Have you guys seen Rafael?

-No.
-Not in a while.

I can't find him anywhere.
I don't get it. I'll be back.

-Want some ham?
-[in English] Oh, don't mind if I do.

-Sorry, have you seen Rafael?
-No, I haven't.

Natalia, the house looks amazing.
You've got great taste.

Thanks, Carol.
You haven't seen Rafael, have you?

No. I haven't in a while.

I'm gonna k*ll him. Where could he be?

Sorry, okay?

-Hi. How are you?
-Hi.

-Be right back.
-Okay.

[sighs]

What's going on with you?

-Nothing.
-Nothing?

Then why are you hiding
from your own party?

What's wrong?

Huh? What's wrong?

It's just…

too many emotions all at once.

Thinking about these 30 years
made me look back,

and I'm scared the best things
that were supposed to happen to me…

already happened.

[sighs] Rafael, come on.

You have everything a man could want.
What more do you need? Huh?

What if the new album flops?

Why would it?

It's a huge change.

-Maybe people won't like it.
-That's possible.

You've always taken risks,
but it's never stopped you.

So why now? This isn't about Julio, is it?

You know what, Natalia?
Maybe you're right.

Maybe it's not the album.
Maybe it's about me.

-A midlife crisis, growing older…
-Rafael, please.

We can't go on like this.
Do you remember why we came to Miami?

We came here for you.

-For me?
-For you!

Rafael, don't be unfair.

Your kids are here because of you.

We left our family and friends behind
for you.

But sometimes I feel like…
you're the one who isn't with us.

[music fades]

[upbeat fanfare playing]

ONE YEAR EARLIER

All right.
The moment we've all been waiting for.

Let's give a warm welcome to… Raphael!

[cheers and applause]

-What an amazing crowd.
-Welcome.

[woman] Raphael!

-All right, Raphael. Welcome.
-[Raphael] Thank you.

Tell us about the album.

Well, this album is a journey inward.

Toward who we really are
when we stop pretending.

The title, "Appearances Are Deceiving,"
Las apariencias engañan,

sounds almost like a confession.

Is it personal?

It's about a lot of things.

Of course, it's about me,
but it's also about the world we live in.

You're releasing this album with CBS,
the same label as Julio Iglesias.

Is there room for both of you?

-Well, we're not that fat.
-[audience laughs]

So… what do you think of Julio Iglesias?

I think he's achieved great things.

I haven't had the chance
to tell him personally.

We haven't seen each other in years.

-The last time was in Málaga.
-Okay.

He carried my bags and called me "legend."

You hear that, folks?

Now the ball's in Julio's court.
Let's see if he hits back.

[applause]

So tell us, what does Raphael have
that other Latin or Spanish artists don't?

If I told you how sick I am
of hearing about Julio Iglesias…

If I told you…

Raphael?

I'm not playing his game.

FIGHT OF THE CENTURY

If good artists bother him that much,
then to hell with him.

He's never done anything to me personally,
but you can't let him bad-mouth you.

[laughs] Julio Iglesias
is the new kid on the block.

STARS AT w*r

I've been doing this for 30 years.

-You're really pretty.
-[woman] Thanks.

I need people for my next video.

-You dance?
-Yes.

Raphael lives in the past.
He has no present.

I do. Thank God.
That's what makes us different.

[Raphael] Selling records is easy.

Anyone can do that.

The hard part is having a long,
successful career.

BATTLE TO BE THE VOICE OF SPAIN

And I've got one.

He should only open his mouth to sing.

TO HELL WITH HIM

I'm thriving. He isn't.

[Raphael] You listened
to a Julio Iglesias album lately?

-[woman] Well…
-Exactly.

-No.
-I thought so.

People have been listening to me forever.

I'm about to release something…
and it's gonna be a scandal.

That's all I'm saying.

"My lips are sealed," as they say.

The hard part is having a stable,
successful career, and I've got that.

-I'm beat.
-[woman] …compared to Julio Iglesias?

Sure, Victoria.
You can compare me to anyone.

-What's this?
-Tell me that's not real.

[grunts]

-Time will tell who lasts…
-The Julio thing?

He's been bad-mouthing me.

Rafael, I don't care what Julio says.
I care about what you're saying.

-I'm defending myself.
-So it's true.

[somber music playing]

What's happening to you?

Huh?

Do you really think going on TV,
trashing other singers does you any good?

Come on, Natalia…

I'm not trashing anyone.

I barely say anything, and then
the press blows it out of proportion.

Then it's all over TV,
and everything feels like a big deal.

[sighs] I'm a journalist.
I know how it works.

But you keep taking the bait.
I don't get it.

This isn't you.

Oh, it isn't?

That's not me? Then what am I like?

Better than this.

[music fades]

Rumor has it you've got a surprise
for us tonight, Raphael.

Yeah, well, it's just a little something
connected to the album.

[man] How's it coming along?
Done recording yet?

We're almost there.

But we do have the single.

-You wrote it, right, Willy?
-Yeah, I wrote it.

But what this guy did in the studio…

It's out of this world.
Different than anything he's done before.

-No.
-You guys have no idea.

Hopefully tonight
we'll get to hear some of it.

Maybe.

It's not like I'm dying
to play it for you.

It's so different
from everything I've done

that I'm afraid you won't like it.

No way. That's not happening.

It's fresh, modern, fun…
You guys are gonna love it.

[Raphael] Okay.

Hey, is Julio coming too?
My wife said you invited him.

Yeah, I did invite him.
But it was pretty last minute.

And Julio's a busy man.

So I'm not sure if he'll actually…

[doorbell rings]

Is that Julio?

[door opens]

Manolo, dear.

-Natalia.
-So good to see you.

-How are you?
-Great.

I won't ask how you are because you look
just as gorgeous as always.

I come to Miami so often
and we never see each other.

Don't worry, Manolo. That's life.

What can I get you? Whiskey?

-How'd you know?
-I'll get you one.

[inhales sharply]

I'm so sorry.

Me too.

-Sorry about your mother.
-[sighs]

[sighs]

How are you holding up?

Better.

Now that you're here.

Thanks for your letter.

It meant a lot to me.

["Como yo te amo" playing]

♪ The way I love you ♪

♪ The way I love you ♪

♪ Convince yourself ♪

[laughs]

♪ Convince yourself ♪

♪ No one will ever love you ♪

♪ The way I love you ♪

♪ The way I love you ♪

♪ Forget it ♪

♪ Forget it ♪

♪ No one will ever love you ♪

♪ No one will ever love you ♪

♪ No one, because I love you
With the strength of the sea ♪

-♪ I love you with the force of the wind ♪
-[sighs]

♪ I love you across distance and time ♪

♪ I love you with my flesh and soul ♪

♪ I love you like a child loves tomorrow ♪

♪ I love you
Like a man loves his memories ♪

♪ I love you in screams and in silence ♪

♪ I love you in a way beyond human ♪

♪ I love you in joy and in tears ♪

♪ I love you in danger and in peace ♪

♪ I love you when you shout
When you're silent ♪

♪ I love you so much, I… ♪

[Gordillo] Bravo.

I love you so much…

[sniffles]

[upbeat salsa music playing]

-[Raphael] I'm so sorry.
-[chuckles]

Hold on. I'll tell him.

Raphael.

-You okay?
-Yeah.

Should I get everything ready?

Yeah, go ahead.

[tense music rises]

[applause]

[Julio in English] The nominees are…

"Soy así," José José.

"Roberto Carlos," Roberto Carlos.

"Cae la noche," Dyango.

THREE MONTHS EARLIER

"Las apariencias engañan," Raphael.

Thanks.

[drumroll]

[Julio in English] And the winner is…

Roberto Carlos.

[sighs]

[music fades]

[footsteps approach]

[music fades]

I'm sorry, Raphael.

You should've won.

Well, Roberto Carlos made a great LP.

I thought you didn't like my records.

And I don't remember ever working
as a bellhop on the Costa del Sol.

Well, Julio, you know how it is.

-The press…
-Yeah… the press.

I would've loved to say your name.

You know I've always looked up to you.

Sorry about all
that's happened between us.

I only got involved
because I felt attacked. That's all.

Yeah…

I get it.

[uplifting music playing]

I WANT TO SHOW MY INNER CIRCLE.

[knocking on door]

[solemn music playing]

I'm proud of you, mister.

Now he just needs to show up.

[Gordillo] So glad you came.

[Natalia] I can't believe it.
What a nice surprise!

I thought you guys weren't coming.
How are you?

-[Julio] How could we miss it?
-How are you?

-Paco. Long time no see.
-Great.

-[Natalia] How was the trip?
-[Julio] Wonderful.

[Natalia] Julio, how are you?

-You look beautiful.
-Thanks.

-Julio.
-Sorry I didn't RSVP sooner.

We were traveling
and weren't sure we could make it.

-Well…
-Tell the truth.

He came back early to be here.

-No… you didn't have to do that.
-I couldn't miss it.

[Natalia] How are you?

You've gotta show me this view.

-[Raphael] Well, well…
-Quite a view, huh?

-Yeah, the best part of the house.
-Right?

I swear, when I got to the airport
after all those concerts,

I felt completely drained.
Not just physically.

Lately, I don't know what's going on
with me,

but everything weighs on me
more than it used to.

But I didn't want to miss tonight.

I really appreciate you being here.

Don't you ever get tired?

Of course I do.

Honestly, you hide it well.

No, I guess it's about keeping close
to whatever recharges you.

With time, you learn to value the things
that really matter.

It gives you strength.

-Sometimes I forget they're even there.
-That happens to you too?

You and I are more alike
than people think.

Yeah, because people think

we're obsessed with success, fame,
money, or whatever.

You'll be on stage
until the day you die.

A long time from now, hopefully.

Sometimes I even think about quitting.

Quitting?

You?

Who are you trying to kid?

-Rafael.
-Yeah?

Whenever you're ready.

-Looks like you're up.
-Yep. Moment of truth.

-Let's see what you think.
-After you.

-Natalia.
-All right? Let's go.

Well…

First of all, thank you all so much

for being here on such a special night.

Thirty years in this business
is no small thing.

Especially when you're lucky enough
to still be surrounded by people you love

and look up to.

Tonight I want
to share something new with you.

Something that excites me…
but scares me too.

The first single off my new album,
together with the great Willy Chirino.

[Gordillo] All right, Willy!

And… the video we made for it.

I'm not gonna lie, it's very different
from anything I've done before, but…

Well, I hope you like it. What can I say?

Without further ado…

Willy. Thank you.

[applause]

["Escándalo" playing]

Oh!

♪ Scandal, it's a scandal ♪

♪ Scandal, it's a scandal ♪

♪ Scandal, it's a scandal ♪

♪ Scandal, it's a scandal ♪

[applause]

IN 1993, RAPHAEL AND JULIO IGLESIAS
FACED OFF FOR THE FIRST TIME

AT THE GRAMMY AWARDS,
COMPETING FOR BEST LATIN ALBUM.

[drumroll]

[in English] And…

the winner is…

"Otro día más sin verte," Jon Secada.

JON SECADA BEAT OUT

TWO OF THE BIGGEST-SELLING ARTISTS
IN SPANISH-LANGUAGE MUSIC

[in Spanish] No luck.

RAPHAEL WOULD GO ON TO RECEIVE
TWO MORE GRAMMY NOMINATIONS.

IN 2025, THE ACADEMY HONORED HIS LEGACY

WITH THE LATIN GRAMMYS'
HIGHEST DISTINCTION,

PERSON OF THE YEAR,
FOR A LIFETIME DEVOTED TO MUSIC.

[song fades]

[wistful orchestral music playing]

[music ends]